Elementary School

We know our young learners need tangible learning experiences with hands-on materials. Therefore, students will have access to materials based on literacy and math units, including science and art materials, guided reading books, math manipulatives and the ability to check out books from the library. 

Students will have access to districtwide assessment measures, including the MCAs and literacy assessments. There are some assessments that must be taken in-person based on state and/or district guidelines.  Students may be asked to come to the District Service Center-  14301 Diamond Path Apple Valley, MN 55124

The commitment you are making to 196Online is for the full school year. Requests for changes in enrollment will be considered based upon available space and staffing at attendance area schools, and building administrations will make every effort to accommodate in the best interest of students.

Requests for an enrollment change during the 2022-23 school year should be made one month prior to the end of a trimester (Tri 1 - November 4, 2022, Tri 2 - February 10, 2023). 

District 196 elementary magnet lottery families who are considering the 196Online virtual school for the 2022-23 school year should consider that enrollment in 196Online will affect their magnet assignment, as well as their student's chances of returning to their magnet school either during the 2022-23 school year or in the fall 2023. 

Families who were already granted enrollment in any of our elementary magnet program via the magnet lottery and who are now considering enrollment in 196Online:

• During the 2022-23 school year, families who may be interested in returning to their magnet school can request a change in enrollment at the end of each trimester. Magnet principals will make every effort to accommodate requests in the best interest of students while also managing class size and space at each of our schools.  If no space is available at the magnet school, the family can request enrollment in their attendance-area elementary school if space is available.

• For the following school year, 2023-24, families who may be interested in returning to their magnet school are automatically granted enrollment in their magnet school without re-entering the magnet lottery.  Note that students can choose to continue in 196Online for a second year (2023-24) during next year’s enrollment window, but the family would then forfeit their magnet enrollment.

Open-enrolled magnet families who are NOT residents of District 196, enrolled via the magnet school lottery, and who are now choosing to enroll in 196Online: 

• During the 2022-23 school year, families will have similar options as listed above with the exception that they do not have an attendance-area school. If no space is available at the magnet school, the family can request consideration for open enrollment at a non-magnet elementary school within the district if space allows.

• For the following school year, 2023-24, families are automatically granted enrollment in their magnet school without re-entering the magnet lottery as noted above.

Students will have the ability to connect with the teachers during regular office hours that are provided by each teacher.

All elementary students will follow a daily schedule with a set start and end time.

Below is what a sample schedule might look like for an elementary student. Times are subject to change based on the final schedule determined. The first couple of weeks of school may have additional synchronous time to establish learning communities, support students as they begin this new learning environment, and get to know the routines and procedures of the classroom.

Daily Morning Routine:

• 8:40 - 9 a.m. Review of the Day At Home- Begin each learning day looking at the Zoom schedule and learning tasks (activities or assignments) for the day. Also look at the progress and feedback you have received from your teacher.
• 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Morning Meeting (synchronous)- Attend  the daily Morning Meeting with teacher and fellow classmates to get ready for the day, review the daily schedule, build classroom community and engage in learning.
• 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Live Workshop (synchronous)- Work independently on asynchronous literacy activities/assignments posted by the teacher.
• 10:30 - 11 a.m. Independent Work (asynchronous) - This may include a read aloud, small guided reading groups, working on word work, having writing conferences or small group interventions by specialized teachers.  It can also include science experiments and social studies research.  Amount of time will be dependent on the developmental age of the students, the content being studied, and the academic needs.
• 11:10 - 11:40 p.m. Live Specialist Class-Except Music (synchronous)- Attend the specialist class to connect with the teacher, engage in the mini lesson, small group interventions by specialized teachers or find out about the independent work.

Daily Afternoon Routine:

• 12;00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch/Recess- Use this time to have a movement break.
• 1;00 - 1:45 p.m. Live Workshop (synchronous)- This may include a mini lesson, guided math groups, Number Corner, or individual conferences.
• 1:45 - 2 p.m. Independent Work (asynchronous)- Work independently on asynchronous math activities/assignments posted by the teacher.
• 2 - 2:30 p.m. Live Specialist Class-Music Only (synchronous)- Attend the specialist class to connect with the teacher, engage in the mini lesson, small group interventions by specialized teachers or find out about the independent work.
• 2:30 - 3 p.m. Independent Work (asynchronous)- Work independently on asynchronous activities/assignments posted by the specialist teacher
• 3 - 3:10 p.m. Independent Closing of the Day- End each learning day looking at the activities/assignments for the day to make sure all tasks are completed.  Also look at the progress and feedback you have received from your teacher.

The IEP team will meet annually to review Individualized Education Plans for each student who receives special education services that addresses the goals, services and accommodations necessary for each student to make progress in the general education curriculum. Direct and/or indirect services will be provided, as driven by the student’s needs and addressed through the IEP. 

Services may be provided in the areas of academics (e.g. literacy, math), social emotional, and self-advocacy, depending on the student’s individual needs. Specialized services for students with social emotional needs, in all disability areas, will be determined by the IEP team. 196Online will comply with state and federal law to identify students with educational needs. 

A student assistance team (SAT) will meet regularly to review data and make recommendations for intervention and/or special education referrals. Special Education case management will adhere to state and federal guidelines. IEP’s will be updated to reflect the online learning environment, which will incorporate accommodations and modifications that meet each student’s needs to ensure that instruction is designed and presented in ways that meet the diverse needs of learners.

If your student has a 504 or other health plans, please contact 196online@district196.org.

196Online will offer layers of technical support to meet the needs of students and families with tools used for online learning including the iPad, Seesaw and Schoology. Families can access a wide variety of tech support tools on our 1:1 Student Resources and 1:1 Parent Resources webpages.