Turlock Unified School District has decided to provide access to instruction when a secondary student in grades 7-12 is placed on quarantine (not allowed to physically attend school due to a COVID-19 related exposure or illness). Teachers will be opening their classrooms virtually through the use of cameras and online learning platforms, including Google Classroom.
“TUSD teachers and staff are working to support all students so they graduate college and career ready. Use of digital resources during quarantine periods is a further opportunity to engage students in learning. All students will be required to complete assignments and meet expectations for satisfactory progress to receive credit toward promotion or graduation,” said Chief Communications Coordinator Marie Russell.
Teachers will send Zoom links to students placed in quarantine to provide access to view the classroom instruction. There are some rules that students need to follow if they are going to utilize this. Students who choose to join a class session must do so within the first 5 minutes of the class period to ensure instruction starts in a timely manner and is not interrupted and access to each class session will be for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Access to instruction is one-way, meaning students are able to watch and listen only. However, if time does permit teachers may initiate conversations or provide feedback to students on quarantine. Students with specific questions may email their teachers.
Students are not required to attend the virtual session and attendance will not be taken. Virtual access to certain courses, including physical education, shop and dedicated lab periods, may not be provided. Students can contact their teachers to confirm if instruction is going to be offered virtually.
An important note the district wants to make clear is neither students nor their parents/guardians are allowed to record the classroom instruction, under any circumstances, without prior approval from the classroom teacher. They also will be required to honor all provisions of the TUSD Technology Policy. A violation of this will result in the student no longer having access to live virtual classroom instruction unless otherwise determined by the affected classroom teacher.
Students and parents should contact their site administrator if they have any questions or need technology support when accessing instruction from home.
