As a proactive approach, where there are multiple teachers on a grade level/content team, teachers are encouraged to engage in co-planning. This will allow for ease of student support should team coverage be needed. If one team member is absent during scheduled virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts with students, volunteers will be requested by administration. We anticipate that teacher absences will decrease significantly as compared to our traditional school day model. Regarding the need for coverage due to a teacher absence, please adhere to the following guidelines.
If a staff member is absent, they need to enter their absence into Workday and notify administration. As per the negotiated agreement teachers are not required to find coverage or secure a colleague to facilitate the check-in. Due to the unique nature of online learning, external daily subs will not be used since they will not have the technology, training or knowledge to facilitate virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts effectively. The Frontline system will be inactive during the school closure.
Elementary– School building administrators should use the following options for teacher coverage during virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts. In order to provide needed coverage for virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts, volunteers should be requested from the following school-based groups in consideration of the time needed to be prepared for the assignment:
- Identify internal volunteer staff who may not be teachers of record and who are equipped to cover virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts
- Co-Teachers may volunteer to cover virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts when applicable
- Administration will consult with performance director as needed
- With the administration’s approval, the teacher will cancel the virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts. School-based administrator will notify parents/students of cancellation.
Secondary- School building administrators should use the following options for teacher coverage during virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts. In order to provide needed coverage for virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts, volunteers should be requested from the following school-based groups in consideration of the time needed to be prepared for the assignment:
- Identify internal volunteer staff who may not be teachers of record and who are equipped to cover virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts
- Content team leader volunteers to cover virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts, if available during the same period however, if they volunteer, they may not be required to make up missed meetings during that period.
- Co-Teachers may volunteer to cover virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts when applicable
- Administration will consult with performance director as needed
- With the administration’s approval, the teacher will cancel the virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts. School-based administrator will notify parents/students of cancellation.
- Students may be directed to join a similar course teacher’s virtual check-ins or live Google Hangouts during the same period only if that teacher has volunteered to combine classes for this purpose. Student notification needs to occur
Teachers providing coverage for other teachers for the purpose of Virtual Check-ins/Live Google Hangouts are doing so on a voluntary basis and will not receive additional compensation. It is understood that there may be limitations to the number of student questions addressed if classes are combined for the purposes of covering a virtual check-in.
Long-term Coverage– If there is a need for a long-term substitute, the principal will consult with Ella Bradley, Office of Human Resources, to explore internal and external options.
