Cyber Learning Academy

Our Cyber Learning Academy will have a balance between synchronous and asynchronous instruction. The synchronous portion of lessons will include teacher-led activities that allows for direct instruction, demonstrations, discussions, read alouds, and many other instructional strategies.  

Synchronous activities will be balanced with asynchronous independent learning time.  This will ensure that students have a pause from screen time, are able to take movement breaks, and can complete hands-on, reading, and paper/pencil activities at home.  Some asynchronous activities will also be technology based. Encores may be synchronous or pre recorded videos of classes.

There will be daily time for small group instruction, particularly for extra support, enrichment and remediation.  This time may be with the classroom teacher, but may also be with a Reading Specialist, IST, or other support staff. Finally, teachers will hold office hours daily for students to drop in with questions, concerns or for assistance at regularly scheduled times.

While the schedule below describes general timeframes for synchronous learning, please also note that this is at the teacher’s discretion.  Depending upon the planned learning goals for the day, more time may be needed for a specific subject.  It is most informative to think of the synchronous time on a per day and per week basis rather than strict guidelines for each subject.

Children learn best when they follow a consistent and regular schedule.  Your child’s teacher will provide a daily schedule that specifically designates the synchronous times.  Synchronous time (90-150 minutes per day) will include Core areas. Synchronous time for Encore areas varies according to subject and schedule.  Please note that there may be times where the teacher will adjust the schedule to accommodate special activities or extended lessons.  This information will be shared with families in advance unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Office hours are regularly scheduled blocks of synchronous instructional time intended to be used flexibly to best meet the needs of students.  This time could include meeting with students one-one-one, small group instruction (mini-lessons, reteaching, reinforcement, extension/enrichment), and/or open blocks of time for students to check-in with teachers, among others.  Your child’s cyber teacher will provide specific guidance on your child’s schedule.  Below, is a sample schedule that outlines what a typical cyber day could look like.

 

 

The District will be delivering our curriculum in all of the instructional options, so all students will have access to the same core instructional resources as in brick and mortar.  This includes textbooks, workbooks, online tools (Dreambox, Lexia, Reflex), student newsletters (Scholastic) and other materials.  Where possible, specialized supply items will be made available (for example, science experiment supplies).  Where necessary, teachers will suggest options for things such as manipulatives (e.g., dried beans for counters) that are readily available or easily obtainable.

For students with IEPS, the student's building-based case manager will serve as their IEP case manager. The LEA will be the principal of the case manager’s building. If needed, IEP meetings will be held at the onset of the CLA.

All students in the Cyber Learning Academy or online/remote learning will have synchronous related services (e.g., speech-language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.) available to them if the IEP team agrees that synchronous provision of services is most appropriate. 

Students who receive any kind of pull-out special education intervention or support (e.g., math support, reading support, intensive teaching sessions, academic support, etc.) are entitled to receive synchronous instruction for the amount of time designated in the IEP for that pull-out service (i.e., how much time they would have been pulled from class to receive that support). Revisions to the IEP need to be made to reflect any changes in the nature of services provided (i.e., one-on-one vs. small group) and the amount of time the service is provided.

 

 

CLA Grade Level Websites

Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade

 

 

Student Handbook Addendum
Cyber Learning Academy

Please note that most provisions and information in the MTLSD Elementary Student Handbook are applicable to the Cyber Learning Academy.  This document serves to provide differentiated and/or additional information specific to CLA students and their families.

Curriculum
Information in this section is applicable to the CLA.

Attending School

Information in this section is applicable to the CLA with the following changes.

• Attendance Areas - The CLA classrooms are made up of students from schools across the district.  Where possible, students from the same schools are grouped together. In addition, students are placed in their originating buildings if that is an option.  However, students may be placed with students from other schools and/or in a new school building for the CLA. Students and their families are able to choose their “primary” school affiliation as either their assigned CLA school or their originating school in terms of their participation in extracurricular and PTA activities.  They can also choose to participate with both schools where appropriate.

• Student Absence - Students are considered absent from school when they do not attend their synchronous sessions, unless the family has communicated with the teacher.  

Home & School Connection

Information in this section is applicable to the CLA with the following changes.

• Concerns - Concerns about your child’s school experience are always best addressed closest to the source. It is recommended that families begin with the child’s teacher(s) regarding concerns relative to instruction and the learning environment.  The next level for addressing concerns would be the child’s principal. This is the principal of the child’s CLA assigned school.  This chart shows the assigned schools by classroom teacher.

Concerns about the Elementary CLA in general can be addressed to Dr. Marybeth Irvin at mirvin@mtlsd.net or 412-344-2027.

• Communication

  • Calendar- Students in the CLA will follow the Mt. Lebanon School District calendar. This includes dates of closure for inservice, conferences, etc.

  • Contacting CLA Teachers- CLA teachers are best reached via email.  In case of an emergency, please contact Dr. Irvin at 412-344-2027 or mirvin@mtlsd.net.

  • Newsletters - Each school PTA has a newsletter sent to all members. CLA families are welcome to join the PTA at both their originating and CLA assigned schools to receive this newsletter. In addition, most principals have some form of weekly communication to families.  CLA families will receive these from both schools as well.

• PTA - CLA families are able to join the PTA at either or both their originating and CLA assigned schools.  Joining the PTA will give families access to the weekly newsletters and allow participation in PTA sponsored events at those schools.

Safety and Security

Much of this information, while important, is not directly relevant to CLA students. Please note these relevant sections.

• Student Pictures- Students may have their school picture taken at their CLA assigned or originating school building.

• School Rules -  School rules and the student code of conduct applies to students in the CLA.

Student Well-Being

Information in this section is applicable to the CLA with the following change.

• School Counselors - There is a school counselor assigned to each classroom in the CLA for lessons. In addition, counselors will continue to work with students in the CLA based upon their building of origin as needed

The School Day

Much of this information is not directly relevant to CLA students. Please note these relevant sections as revised.

• Arrival and Dismissal -  The CLA school day is from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.  Virtual arrival requires the timely attendance to synchronous schedules for each student’s daily schedule. Dismissal occurs when the teacher releases the students from their final daily synchronous session.

• Weather Delays and Cancellations - When the District calls for a 10:00 AM start due to unsafe conditions, the CLA will also follow this schedule.  This is because of the shared staff between the CLA and in-building programs.  The District has been approved by PDE for up to five “Flexible Instructional Days” which will be utilized instead of cancellations. Should all 5 FIDs be used, then school would be cancelled for any additional days.