Return to School Roadmap: Learning Forward
Safety is always our priority. Decisions about remote or in-person learning environments are taken seriously. RCS Board of Education, administrators, task force members, and our school nurse make recommendations based on guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and OCHD. The district continually tracks the following data measures; although this list is not exhaustive: OCHD Weekly COVID-19 Report for Oakland County Schools; Oakland County Dashboard; Michigan Dashboard; Michigan School-Related Outbreak Reporting.
We recognize that our families may be dealing with this pandemic in very different ways. We respect the differences of opinions; however, we remain committed to following the guidance of our public health experts.
Return to Full-time, In-person, Learning Timeline
The vision of Rochester Community Schools throughout this pandemic has always been to return to in-person instruction as soon as feasible. We are encouraged by the steady decline of COVID-19 case counts and test positivity rates, along with the county and state’s commitment for increased accessibility to the vaccine. As such, we continue to move forward with plans for students to return full-time, five days a week, to face-to-face instruction using the following schedule:
- Feb. 22 – Elementary (Pre-K-grade 5). These groups will follow traditional bell times (attached). Classrooms will continue to function as a cohort to help limit exposure and assist with contact tracing. ELEMENTARYSCHOOLBELLTIMES.pdf
- Feb. 22 – Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Sessions will resume four days per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Due to required cleaning and sanitizing between groups, times will be slightly modified. Families can expect additional information within the next week.
- March 1 – Secondary, grades 6-12, and Adult Transition Programs and Services (ATPS). Scheduling plans that maximize instructional time and safety are being finalized. Updates will be provided as soon as information becomes available. At the secondary level, since students move from classroom to classroom throughout the day, our task force has explored six different scheduling options. Key considerations when evaluating secondary schedules included the ability to: limit movement and maintain distancing as much as possible, especially when masks need to be removed for meals; consistently deliver content; provide instructional supports for all students; ensure effective contact tracing; and provide access to after-school activities or sports as appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is involved with developing an in-person learning plan?
- How is RCS consulting with other districts?
- What is the process for determining when a student or teacher needs to quarantine?
- What happens if my teacher is exposed to COVID-19?
- What are some considerations as to whether the district quarantines a class or closes a school?
- How will students continue to access instructional materials if they need to isolate or quarantine?
- What considerations go into livestreaming?
- How does RCS assess student progress?
What is involved with developing an in-person learning plan?
How is RCS consulting with other districts?
What is the process for determining when a student or teacher needs to quarantine?
What happens if my teacher is exposed to COVID-19?
What are some considerations as to whether the district quarantines a class or closes a school?
How will students continue to access instructional materials if they need to isolate or quarantine?
What considerations go into livestreaming?
How does RCS assess student progress?
Secondary Learning Schedules
Secondary students attend in-person learning with a full-time, five-day-a-week schedule.
Hart/West/Reuther Schedule
Daily Schedule of Classes | |
Hours 1 and 4 | 7:25 - 9:30 a.m. |
Break | 9:30 - 9:40 a.m. |
Hours 2 and 5 | 9:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. |
Break | 12:10 - 12:20 p.m. |
Hours 3 and 6 | 12:20 - 2:25 p.m. |
Lunch Schedules | |
A Lunch | 9:40 - 10:10 a.m. |
Break | 10:10 - 10:20 a.m. |
B Lunch | 10:20 - 10:50 a.m. |
Break | 10:50 - 11:00 a.m. |
C Lunch | 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. |
Break | 11:30 - 11:40 a.m. |
D Lunch | 11:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. |
High School/Van Hoosen Schedule
*Van Hoosen follows the high school daily schedule due to bussing.Daily Schedule of Classes | |
Hours 1 and 4 | 7:30 - 9:35 a.m. |
Break | 9:35 - 9:45 a.m. |
Hours 2 and 5 | 9:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Break | 12:15 - 12:25 p.m. |
Hours 3 and 6 | 12:25 - 2:30 p.m. |
Lunch Schedules | |
A Lunch | 9:45 - 10:15 a.m. |
Break | 10:15 - 10:25 a.m. |
B Lunch | 10:25 - 10:55 a.m. |
Break | 10:55 - 11:05 a.m. |
C Lunch | 11:05 - 11:35 a.m. |
Break | 11:35 - 11:45 a.m. |
D Lunch | 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Wednesday Schedule of Classes
The following schedule is for Middle and High School bothMarch 3 | Hours 1-3 |
March 10 | Hours 4-6 |
March 17 | Hours 1-3 |
March 24 | Hours 4-6 |
March 31 | No School-Spring Break |
April 7 | Hours 1-3 |
April 14 | Hours 4-6 |
April 21 | Hours 1-3 |
April 28 | Hours 4-6 |
May 5 | Hours 1-3 |
May 12 | Hours 4-6 |
May 19 | Hours 1-3 |
May 26 | Hours 4-6 |
June 2 | Hours 1-3 |
June 9 | Hours 4-6 |
Elementary School Bell Times
Elementary students attend in-person learning with a full-time, five-day-a-week schedule.
School | Full Day | Half Day |
---|---|---|
Baldwin | 8:10 - 3:13 | 11:25 |
Brewster | 8:10 - 3:13 | 11:25 |
Delta Kelly | 8:10 - 3:13 | 11:25 |
Hamlin | 8:10 - 3:13 | 11:25 |
Hampton | 8:10 - 3:13 | 11:25 |
Hugger | 8:10 - 3:13 | 11:25 |
University Hills | 8:10 - 3:13 | 11:25 |
Brooklands | 8:55 - 3:58 | 12:10 |
Long Meadow | 8:55 - 3:58 | 12:10 |
McGregor | 8:55 - 3:58 | 12:10 |
Meadow Brook | 8:55 - 3:58 | 12:10 |
Musson | 8:55 - 3:58 | 12:10 |
North Hill | 8:55 - 3:58 | 12:10 |
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program Bell Times
ECSE students attend with a modified four-day learning schedule, Monday through Thursday.
Session |
Start Time |
End Time |
Morning | 8:45 a.m. | 11:15 a.m. |
Afternoon | 1:15 p.m. | 3:45 p.m. |
Adult Transition Programs and Services Bell Times
ATPS students attend in-person learning with a full-time, five-day-a week schedule.
Start Time |
End Time |
8:37 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
Presentations
Board of Education Meeting, Jan. 11, 2021
RCS Welcomes Students to School Buildings
Students keep safety first
Operations Safe Start, Part 2 of 3, July 27, 2020
Emerging Science of COVID-19, Part 3 of 3, July 27, 2020
Learning Forward: Curriculum, Part 1 of 3, July 27, 2020
An In-person Learning Discussion with Dr. Shaner
July 27, 2020
RCS plans for the 2020-21 School Year
RCS Preparedness and Response Plan
Introducing Remote Learning at RCS with Dr. Shaner
March 19, 2020
Technology - Making the Connection
March 18, 2020
Food Services at Rochester Community Schools
March 17, 2020
Message from Superintendent Dr. Shaner
March 16, 2020
Online Learning Success Tips
Learning Options
Families living within the greater Rochester area have two learning options to consider for their students for the 2020-21 school year. They include:
- IN-PERSON LEARNING / TEMPORARY REMOTE LEARNING depending on public health conditions
- RCS VIRTUAL CAMPUS offering full-time online instruction. This is a joint learning partnership that includes the child, the family, and the RCS teaching team. Families can select a semester (6-12), trimester (K-5), or yearlong commitment.
Whether families choose in-person instruction or the RCS Virtual Campus, students will be taught by highly skilled, caring RCS teachers and receive the same world-class instruction and academic credit that our community has come to expect. To enhance learning in any setting, the district has moved to a 1-to-1 technology model so all students have access to a device.
In-person learning may require a shift to remote learning if there is a resurgence of COVID-19.