Distance Learning – Frequently Asked Questions

Good afternoon McMillin Families!

We hope that you are all staying healthy and safe! Our team is working diligently this week to make connections with our students and prepare for Distance Learning to begin next week. We have encountered a number of questions and are doing our best to address them in a timely manner. We will continue to update our social media websites and other sources with these Frequently Asked Questions. Some teachers are reporting to me that they have not been able to reach some of the students in their class. If you haven’t heard from your child’s teachers, feel free to email them. If you do not have their addresses. Please email me and I can reach out to them with your updated information, cynthia.orr@cvesd.org.

Question: When will my child receive their device?

A: There is no date of when or if students will be distributed devices. Other districts have moved ahead with this initiative, however, at this time our district has opted to gather more data about current technology supports in the home. This data collection includes access to devices and broadband speed before determining if a roll-out of devices is the best option or solution for our students to access Distance Learning.

Connectivity at home is as important as the device(s) in the home. There is a huge difference between issuing a laptop, and then being able to use it at home. Creating an equitable learning environment is critical for our students to learn. If we do issue devices or printed packets for that matter, it would likely occur after the next two weeks, when public health officials say sheltering in place is critical to stem a predicted surge in coronavirus cases.

Please see the link below for more information about this topic from our Superintendent. Superintendent Message Click Here

Question: My child does not have access to a device, how can they participate in Distance Learning?

A: Distance learning means that learning opportunities are provided to students while the teacher and the student are in different locations, say outside the traditional classroom environment. Distance learning may include student-instructor interaction through the use of a computer and/or telecommunications technology to deliver instruction and check-in time. This may include video or audio instruction in which the primary mode of communication between the student and instructor is on-line interaction, instructional television, video, or other instruction that relies on printed materials (“packets”). Our teachers are doing their best to be creative and come up with ideas beyond relying on technology to participate in Distance Learning. Microsoft Teams. Please make sure to respond and communicate with your teacher about your current situation when they reach out so that they can better understand and support your child during this new learning time.

Question: How do I get my child on Office 365 Teams:

We have included on our District website a ‘Getting Started with Office 365 and Teams’ guide. The distance learning guide is available in English and in Spanish. We encourage parents to visit our main landing page at www.cvesd.org to access this information. We have also included information via an illustrated guide for students on how they can join a Teams meeting.

‘Parent Helpline’ for Office 365 and Teams

Our District has established a Parent Helpline to provide technical support with Microsoft Office 365 and Teams, as well as assistance for District-adopted online programs (i.e. Achieve 3000). Office hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Parents may call if they need support with these tools and an IT team member will assist them. You may need to leave a message during peak times but please be reassured that someone will contact you as soon as possible. The parent helpline number is 619-409-6638.

Question: What is the District working on to increase broadband access for our learning community?

A: CVESD is working in partnership with the City of Chula Vista and the Classroom of the Future Foundation for possible broadband expansion, such as incorporating hotspots in our neediest neighborhoods. There are a number of service providers. Click here for a list of providers. For example, effective Monday, March 16, Cox Communications began providing:

  • Limited-time, first two months free of Connect2Compete service, $9.95/month thereafter. Cox also has increased Connect2Compete speeds to 50 mbps.
  • Until May 15, 2020, we are providing phone and remote desktop support through Cox Complete Care at no charge to provide peace of mind and ease for technology needs
  • Resources for discounted, refurbished equipment through its association with PCs for People. Click here to view an informational flyer in English and Spanish.
  • A Learn from Home toolkit for schools, including instructions on how to fast-track eligible students without internet access:

We plan to continue to advocate for plan upgrades (increased bandwidth) to support the needs of students at home during this unprecedented crisis.

Question: Is there a place where I can purchase an affordable device?

A: Yes. https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete/low-cost-computer.html

Question: My child left their glasses at school, can I get them?

A: Yes. Please email cynthia.orr@cvesd.org for more information. Please note we are not currently working on campus so we will do our best to respond in a timely manner.

Question: My child has medication at school. Do I need to pick it up?

A: No. You can leave this at school until next year or until when the office reopens.

Question: My child has medication at school and I need access to my child’s prescription. Can I pick it up?

A: Yes. Please contact our nurse, Michele Padilla at michele.padilla@cvesd.org for more information. Please note we are not currently working on campus so we will do our best to respond in a timely manner.

For additional Q & A please make sure to check out the link HERE

We miss you all and hope that you and your family are staying healthy and positive!

Sincerely,

Cindy Orr and Crystal Sutton