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Full-Time Online Learning: HAVEN Frequently Asked Questions
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Will school meals be available for virtual and HAVEN students?
School meal service for our virtual learners and HAVEN students begins the first week of school. Full details are available on our website, including pre-ordering instructions.
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Will the district be providing the Accelerate Education workbooks necessary for learning and how will students receive them?
Workbooks for core courses will be provided by the IU-13 for students in grades K-6. They will be sent directly to students enrolled in HAVEN.
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Can a student take courses through HAVEN and then other courses virtually, which would essentially be an open campus schedule?
High school students enrolled in HAVEN can take one class at HHS each semester, based on availability.
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If I choose the virtual learning option or HAVEN, can I still bring my child in to school for Special Education/Gifted Education services?
If a family selects virtual learning or HAVEN, then all of the child’s special education and/or gifted education will occur virtually.
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Can gifted students participate in the project-based programming that occurs throughout the school year? If so, how will this occur?
Project-based learning and assignments will be expected of those in the virtual learning option and HAVEN. Students will be expected to complete these at home and share their experiences virtually. Students can also participate in virtual check-ins with the Gifted Support teacher, who will check on progress and provide feedback. If the project is a group project, students will participate in work with groupmates virtually.
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How will Speech, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and any other Related Services be provided?
In the virtual and HAVEN options, student will receive their services virtually with the group/pairing they would be assigned, if in school. The student will participate via GoogleMeet.
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How do the reopening options impact IEPs and GIEPs?
In the virtual and HAVEN options, students will receive their services with their case manager in the group/pairing they would be assigned, if in traditional school. The student will attend via GoogleMeet at the same time as their group/pairing.
In all cases, there may be a need for the IEP/GIEP team to meet and make revisions to plans as they pertain to the instructional choice. These are uncertain times for all of us. Please keep in mind that the IEP is a fluid document, and IEP teams can meet to discuss concerns and make necessary revisions.
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Does Hempfield provide the workbooks for elementary students to use?
Workbooks will be provided for core courses, grades K-6. They will be sent directly to students.
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Can the HAVEN program coordinator address the district community broadly in a meeting?
Any parent/guardian who has HAVEN questions can contact Mr. Cregan directly at 717-898-5605 or via email, brendan_cregan@hempfieldsd.org.
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Can elementary students take special area subjects through HAVEN?
Students will be enrolled in Art and Physical Education in the HAVEN program.
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Will my child participate in classes or other activities with their Hempfield peers?
HAVEN is an individual virtual program, not a classroom approach. When choosing the full-time online learning option, students and their families can participate in PTO or other school-based events organized at the building of their geographic enrollment. Students and families also have access to school counseling services, if needed.
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If students transfer to HAVEN and then transfer back to in-person learning, will that affect their Hempfield class placement and GPA?
No, as long as the student remains in the same level course.
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If students take AP classes at HAVEN will their grades be weighted correctly for if/when the student transfers back to in-person learning?
Yes.
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What is the difference between cyber, virtual, and online learning?
There is no difference in these words. For consistency and clarity, we use “full-time online learning” to discuss our cyber/virtual program.
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Does HAVEN use an “off-the-shelf” platform and curriculum?
Every cyber school/program uses an online learning platform to offer courses, curriculum, and instruction to students who desire to take coursework at their own pace around their family’s lifestyle, rather than having to stay with a class schedule on a daily basis. Our elementary HAVEN program uses Accelerate Education. Our secondary HAVEN program uses Edgenuity, which is a customizable program. In some cases, Hempfield teachers are the facilitators at the secondary level. At other times, a certified Edgenuity teacher facilitates the course.
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What is Hempfield’s online learning program called?
The Hempfield School District online learning program is called HAVEN, which stands for Hempfield Allied Virtual Education Network. This is a K-12 program that provides full-time, online learning for students in our school district.
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How long has Hempfield School District offered online learning opportunities?
Since 2004, Hempfield School District has provided full-time, online learning options for students. The program was given the name, HAVEN, and offered courses specifically for students in grades 7-12. Over the years, we have also had students at the elementary level participate in online courses through our HAVEN program.
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Is there a maximum number of students permitted to enroll in Hempfield’s online learning program?
There is no maximum number of students our HAVEN program can accept. Any student/family who elects the online learning option will be enrolled in this program.
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Can a student move in and out of the online learning program throughout the school year?
To provide the most seamless learning experience for students, we recommend that any moves into or out of our online learning program occur at a scheduled marking period break (K-6) or semester break (7-12). School administrators, counselors, and teachers will work with students and families to assist with any transition back to in-person learning.
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What if my child has an IEP or a GIEP?
As a student of the Hempfield School District, our Special Education team coordinates and maintains the level of support outlined in an IEP or GIEP. Please contact Denise Galen, Director of Special Education, to determine appropriate programming and planning.
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What platform is used for online learning?
For students in grades K-6, the platform is called Accelerate Education. As an online learning management system, this platform houses all of the materials needed for online learning at the elementary level.
For students in grades 7-12, the platform is called Edgenuity. As an online learning management system, this platform houses all of the materials needed for online learning at the secondary level.
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What curriculum does the online learning program follow?
In regards to our K-6 program, Hempfield courses and Accelerate Education courses are built using a similar set of standards. Approaches to lesson design, learning opportunities, and assessments can vary teacher to teacher. However, students will learn similar content in both traditional Hempfield courses and HAVEN’s Accelerate Education courses.
Grades 7-12 Edgenuity courses are aligned to Common Core standards; however, the course content is closely aligned to the PA Core Standards, which Hempfield School District curriculum is also aligned. -
Is there a cost for HAVEN?
There is no cost to the student or family to participate in Hempfield’s HAVEN program.
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What are the technical requirements for online learning?
Enrolled students use their Hempfield iPad and receive any necessary technical support for this equipment from our school district.
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What is a learning coach?
A learning coach is the individual at home who provides daily support, guidance, and motivation for a student’s online learning experience. A learning coach is an important component of full-time online learning, particularly at the elementary grade levels. Learn about the role of a Learning Coaches in this video.
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How will my student stay motivated to complete online learning?
Certainly, motivation is part of the role of the learning coach who works alongside the student at home each day. Our online learning program also incorporates a variety of tactics to keep students engaged. Depending on the grade level, this may include morning meetings, daily interactions and facetime, synchronous sessions, and additional tutoring opportunities by request of the student or family.
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What is a synchronous session?
Synchronous learning is live interaction that allows students to ask questions and teachers to answer questions right away. This occurs through chat, video conferencing software, or other similar tools.
For our K-6 program, synchronous sessions are coordinated weekly and touch on all subject areas with a main focus on Math and English Language Arts. In addition to weekly sessions, there are benchmarks or assessments throughout the course that require an additional synchronous session. Synchronous sessions are scheduled by the teacher; however, parents and guardians are able to request a different meeting day or schedule an additional meeting for that week, if needed.
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Who teaches the HAVEN online classes?
In our K-6 program, teachers from Accelerate Education serve as classroom facilitators.
In our 7-12 program, Hempfield teachers serve as the facilitators for most online courses.
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What if a student needs additional support to understand the coursework?
K-6 students have access to additional online tutoring through the Accelerate Education facilitator.
Students in grades 7-12 can access tutoring support from the Hempfield facilitator, either online or face-to-face at the Landisville Education Center.
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What happens if a course is not iPad compatible?
All K-6 courses are iPad compatible. Some courses in our 7-12 program are not iPad compatible, specifically World Languages. In this case, courses can be accessed from a personal computer.
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How does Open Campus tie into HAVEN?
Open Campus is a partnership between Hempfield School District and Penn Manor School District to expand the number of online courses available to students in grades 9-12. Specific electives, courses not available through Edgenuity, are taught through the Open Campus program by either a Hempfield or Penn Manor teacher. Students in grades 9-12 enrolled in HAVEN may benefit from Open Campus programming and are eligible to take these courses.
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What if my student needs advanced learning options?
Our HAVEN program offers online honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and dual enrollment options for students.
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How much of the learning is online in front of a screen versus offline assignments, work, or projects?
HAVEN is a full-time online learning program. Students and families should anticipate that a majority of the coursework is online, whether engaging in learning, assignments, or assessments. The amount of time on the iPad varies based on the weekly assignments and assessments.
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Can students participate in extracurricular activities if they are enrolled online?
Yes, students in our full-time online learning program can participate in extracurricular activities. To do so, the student must meet the weekly attendance and academic requirements of their program.
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If my student completes their senior year online, can they participate in commencement activities?
Yes, students who participate in HAVEN receive a Hempfield School District diploma and may participate in all commencement-related activities
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Are students required to complete state testing?
All students are required to participate in state testing. This occurs at the student’s assigned elementary or middle school based on their geographic enrollment. The building principal will contact the student and family closer to the state testing time frame to assign a time for the student to take the state-mandated testing.
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Must online students meet specific graduation requirements?
Yes, every student must meet the Hempfield School District graduation requirements. Students will have access to our Hempfield school counselors and must complete career readiness artifacts. Students can also participate in the various career development opportunities offered through the school counseling office.
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How will I track my student’s progress?
Both the student and learning coach have access to the online learning platform and follow the student’s progress through regular assessments, grading, and updates from the facilitator. Final grades are entered into PowerSchool, Hempfield’s Student Information System, and the student receives a Hempfield School District report card.
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Does the online learning program follow the Hempfield School District calendar?
Students work at their own pace in our full-time online learning program. Our district’s 180-day school calendar is uploaded into the learning management platform and specific holidays are observed. Students will not have assignments on those days. If an inclement weather day arises, students follow the schedule outlined by their facilitator.
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How is attendance monitored?
Attendance is monitored through the student’s completion of daily assignments. If a K-6 student is sick, the learning coach should email the teacher and Mr. Brendan Cregan, HAVEN Coordinator. Students in grades 7-12 should communicate with their teacher and Mr. Brendan Cregan, HAVEN Coordinator, if they are sick and unable to participate in the daily assignments.
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How is orientation handled?
Orientation for our full-time online learning program is provided for all students and their families. Currently, we have a variety of in-person orientation sessions scheduled, and families can select the session that works best for their schedule. Our district will adhere to state guidelines for these in-person sessions. We will also provide online orientation options. The student and family orientation session will be scheduled after your student is officially enrolled in HAVEN.
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Is there a deadline to enroll in the full-time online learning option?
Given the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, our district is waiving normal enrollment deadlines. We want to provide families an opportunity to review all academic options and make the decision appropriate for their student(s).
Our district requires approximately five (5) business days to fully process a student enrollment. A timely enrollment decision allows students, families, and online learning facilitators to prepare and orient for the first day of school on August 25, 2020.