District 212 begins school year with remote learning

Leyden High School District 212 will begin the 2020-21 school year with a fully remote approach to learning. According to Superintendent Nick Polyak, significant changes have been made to the original remote learning plan. These changes were confirmed after countless hours of researching, analyzing and discussing several options.

Polyak says the primary consideration in making the decision to go fully remote "was the safety and wellness of students and staff, and the continuity of education for our kids and the community."

To that end, district administrators presented board of education members with an amended plan of action at the July 23 board of education meeting. The proposal was passed with the understanding that the new remote learning program will enhance student learning experiences.

The plan, a Block 3 + PE model, allows students to take three courses each semester, Polyak explains, "but they will take them in a block format. Instead of taking three courses a day for 45 minutes, they will focus on those courses for the equivalent of 90 minutes a day. This allows students to complete a semester's worth of work in three courses over a nine week period."

During the second quarter, students will take three other courses with physical education running virtually as a common daily experience throughout the year. Polyak says the block approach will be maintained all year because of its flexibility. "We can use this approach when fully remote, or when we bring back 25, 50 or 100 percent of our kids," he notes.

For more information on the remote learning plan, please visit www.leyden212.org and click on the red circle with an exclamation point located in the lower right corner of the screen.