School@Home

In response to Governor Wolf’s proclamation issued on March 30, 2020 closing all Pennsylvania schools until further notice, the following provides information about the Mt. Lebanon School District’s education plan.

In accordance with the plan approved by the Department of Education earlier in the year, the District used “Flexible Instructional Days” from March 30 through April 3 to deliver education to students. Beginning on April 6, 2020 and continuing until schools officially reopen, the District will utilize “School At Home” (S@H) as our instructional methodology. The District is committed to continuing to Provide the Best Education Possible for Each and Every Student under these evolving circumstances, using technology tools and remote instructional strategies.

School at Home (S@H) is intended to continue the asynchronous nature of delivering instruction while adding a component that facilitates the “continuity of education” expected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Asynchronous learning is an approach to learning that allows students to learn and complete assignments at different times and locations during the school day. Please find more information below.

Please see the District’s Continuity of Education Plan.

School@Home FAQ

What is the difference between S@H and FIDs?

FIDs were designed to be a short term solution for occasional school cancellations. Our FID plan consisted mainly of faculty providing learning opportunities and activities for students with the expectation that the students would return to school shortly after a FID.

Our S@H plan is designed to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education to all of our students, to the best of our abilities. S@H is designed to be a long-term solution to our school closure using Planned Instruction. This strategy utilizes all faculty and staff in the teaching and learning process to Provide the Best Education Possible for Each and Every Student.

Planned Instruction is formal teaching and learning similar to that which occurs in a classroom setting. Within this process, teachers use planned courses of instruction of new concepts/skills aligned to grade level standards. Teachers assess the learning of their students and make adjustments to instruction based upon student progress. In order to receive grade and credit, students must attend regularly and complete the course requirements.

Are the formats for FIDs and S@H different?

Yes, since FIDs were generally planned to be a response to adverse conditions that were more unpredictable, the school day was structured differently to align with a 10 am start. The format for S@H reflects a typical school day more closely but also allows families greater flexibility throughout the day to attend to activities like the Superintendent’s morning briefing, family demands, and the distribution of school lunches.

Is technology necessary for S@H? What if we need technical support?

Will my child be online or in front of a screen all day?

What does a S@H day look like?

S@H Schedule
8:30 AM Assignments posted for students
9:00 AM Superintendent Update and Mindful Moment
8:30 -11:00 AM Teacher Office Hours
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Lunches available at HS Door C 20
1:00 -3:00 PM Teacher Office Hours

Please visit the S@H Elementary page for specific information for Grades K-5.
Please visit the S@H Secondary page for specific information for Grades 6-12.

What if I have students with special needs?

What if I have a child who is an English Language Learner?

The instruction delivered by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit K-12 ESL Program will continue for the duration of the school closure, and while being delivered remotely, the ESL Program Specialists assigned to the students prior to the closure will continue providing English Language Development instruction to the students via the platforms identified by the school district (ex. Google Classroom, etc.). The curriculum used by the program is available digitally; therefore, students will be able to continue their progress through the content and standards as they would have previously, and online assessment will allow the teachers to track the students’ progress. The ESL Program Specialists are available for ongoing support to both the students and their families and will collaborate with the students’ classroom and content area faculty to assure that the students are able to successfully transition to remote instruction in all of their subject areas. Supports for translation and interpretation will be used where necessary and appropriate for both students and families.

How will grades be determined for S@H?

The District has opted to move to a Pass/Fail (secondary) and Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (elementary) grading scale for the 3rd and 4th marking periods. This reduces academic anxiety and concerns for students as we transition to and utilize online/remote learning. The District wanted all students to be treated equitably by this abrupt end to the 3rd quarter in the brick and mortar school, moving to an online format that is unfamiliar, lingering grades from the 3rd quarter, and a 4th quarter that could possibly be extended in an online environment. Moving to the P/F system provides our students and families the greatest flexibility and protection.

What is the role of families with S@H?

The role of the families is the same as during the regular school year - be a partner with the school district in the education of your son/daughter. Families can support their child as they are best able, advocate for their child, consult with faculty via email or phone/video conferencing , and provide assistance at home when able. If you are concerned about your child’s learning during S@H, we encourage you to connect with your child’s teacher(s) or school counselor to develop a plan to support them.

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