CHANGE REQUEST FORM FOR RETURN TO SCHOOL

The Starkville Oktibbeha School District is planning for a Traditional Schedule, a Virtual Schedule, and a Hybrid Schedule (grades 8-12 ONLY) for our students for the 2020-21 school year.

After reviewing initial response to our return to school survey for Armstrong Jr. High, AJH has decided to offer a hybrid schedule for 8-9th grade students in addition to a traditional schedule and a virtual schedule for the 2020-21 academic year.  

If you would like to change your original selection for your child's preferred learning option for the 2020-21 school year, please complete the appropriate school form below.  

ONLY complete one form per student.  DO NOT complete the form if you do not wish to change your original selection.  

The deadline to submit your change request for your child's preferred learning option is July 23 at 8 am. 

Please review the list of the considerations for each option as you make your final decision for your child's preferred learning in August. 

Traditional Schedule:  A traditional schedule would require students to be physically present in school with scheduling modifications to follow CDC and Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) recommendations.  Through discussions with infectious disease specialists, physicians in our own community, the Mississippi Department of Health and guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, we are heartened to learn that based on current data, the medical community supports the return to in-person learning with appropriate health and safety protocols in place. 

Considerations for students, staff and facilities participating in a traditional school schedule include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Daily screening protocols required (Ex.:  Temperature checks, self-assessments)
  • Transportation adjustments possible (Ex.:  Staggered beginning and ending times at each school campus)
  • Routine disinfectant protocols established
  • Regular, scheduled hand-washing required 
  • Static schedule implemented to allow students to remain in classrooms while teacher(s) moves from class to class
  • Parents/Visitors limited to scheduled office appointments
  • Social distancing practiced in classrooms, hallways and other school areas as much as reasonably possible
  • Class size for elementary is expected to range from 12-18 students spaced 3-6 feet apart
  • Class for grades 6-12 will vary; student/desk spaced 3-6 feet apart 
  • Regular classroom teachers in elementary would be assigned their normal roster of students, but students would be divided into two groups to allow for social distancing
  • Teachers in elementary could “team” to partner with another educator, who would likely be a specials teacher, teacher assistant, or lab teacher to maximize a blend of in-person instruction with independent student work that is supported by a teacher and/or educator in the classroom
  • District recognizes importance of specials classes in elementary which could be embedded into the regular classroom or offered as virtual learning on Fridays
  • Assemblies in building would be limited to small groups if allowed to achieve social distancing guidelines
  • Masks could be required for teachers and/or students during certain situations when distance of 6 feet cannot be achieved or maintained (Ex. Small group reading instruction)
  • Breakfast/lunch would be served to go or in the classroom
  • Backpacks & lunchboxes allowed in Prek-12 grades; No lockers
  • Field trips not allowed
  • Traditional school schedule would include a 5-day week 
  • Plan for traditional school schedule to shift to virtual school schedule if short-term or long-term school closure is required 

 

Virtual Schedule: Considerations for distance learning effectiveness include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Students/families who prefer this option will need sufficient internet bandwidth and a reliable, dependable device such as an ipad, chromebook, laptop (An iphone is not sufficient for distance learning)
  • Under extenuating circumstances, District could provide students with a device if they do not have one
  • Implement Learning Management System (LMS); The Starkville Oktibbeha School District has selected Google Classroom as our digital learning platform for elementary students to provide a robust virtual learning experience that is engaging and interactive. Canvas is the digital learning platform selected for middle, jr. high and high school students to streamline digital tools and content.  Canvas provides a robust virtual learning experience that is engaging and interactive for students.
  • Train teachers, students and families on teaching and learning in a virtual environment
  • Attendance and assignments required as part of the virtual school schedule
  • Virtual school schedule has not yet been finalized, but parents should expect for their child to be “present” up to four hours each day; During this 4-hour time block, students would be engaged in their online Google classroom through instruction, discussion, application, and interaction

Hybrid Schedule (Grades 8-12 ONLY): A hybrid schedule combines online and in-person instruction for students. 

  • Divide student population in half with each half reporting to school and participating in distance learning on alternating days Monday-Thursday. In this option students would come to school on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday for in-person instruction while they would attend school online through their virtual classroom in Canvas on days they are not physically present at school.
  • All students who follow a hybrid schedule will learn virtually on Fridays. 
  • District is exploring a hybrid schedule that would allow for in-person instruction for core classes and virtual instruction for electives.
  • Considerations listed for Traditional Schedule and Virtual Schedule would apply to the Hybrid Schedule.

In addition to school schedules, the District is also seeking information from parents about meal service and transportation.

Please click on the appropriate school link below to complete our Return to School survey for your child.    

This year will require us to be more flexible than ever.  We must be prepared to make adjustments as necessary. The District will respond to new information as received, and we will revise and adapt plans accordingly and appropriately.  

The District will also continue to work toward a return to "normal" operations as guidance  allows.  As an example, this could eventually include holding in-person school on Fridays or allowing lunchboxes.  

 Thank you in advance for taking our return to school survey to help plan as we prepare for an excellent new year of learning experiences!

Stay safe!

Scheduled Change Request Form for Return to School 

Sudduth Elementary School 
Schedule Change Request Form

Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School 
Schedule Change Request Form

Overstreet Elementary School 
Schedule Change Request Form

West Elementary School 
Schedule Change Request Form

Partnership Middle School 
Schedule Change Request Form

Armstrong Jr. High School 
Schedule Change Request Form

Starkville High School 
Schedule Change Request Form