Here is some advice from the BISD Technology Department:

Review your Internet plan with your Service Provider to make sure you are getting the Internet speed you are paying for.

Step one is to review your current Internet plan and to verify you are getting the bandwidth you are paying for. The bandwidth speed may be listed on your bill or call your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) customer support. Step two is to verify your speed by visiting this free WA state website to measure your speed:  https://www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/washington-statewide-broadband-act/speedtestsurvey/

 

Video conferencing software like Zoom needs a minimum of 800kbps upload and 1.0Mbps download for quality video for a single computer. Each additional computer, tablet, or smartphone that is simultaneously video conferencing will each require more bandwidth, so for example two devices would need 1,600kbps upload and 2.0Mbps download. If this is too confusing, you should be able to contact your ISP's customer support and have them assist you over the phone to determine what is adequate for the number of people in your household. 

 

Most Internet providers offer multiple tiers of bandwidth service, so it's possible you may be able to upgrade your speed, though of course, this usually comes with an increase in monthly payment. If you believe you are NOT getting the speeds you are paying for, schedule a service call with the company to inspect the equipment in your home, as well as their Internet equipment on your street.

Is it time to upgrade the equipment in your home?

It's possible the problem is the Internet equipment like the WIFI router, especially if the equipment is 5 or more years old. If you lease your equipment from a provider like Comcast or Centurylink, you can usually request replacement equipment at little or no charge. Generally speaking, newer equipment can boost the speed and the range of the WIFI signal, and typically supports more connected devices. If you own your own equipment, it may be time to upgrade the hardware too if it's old. There are a number of tech sources online to routinely review wifi hardware, or reach out to a techy friend or family member for guidance.

The problem may be the distance and physical space between the computer and the wifi router

An inconsistent Internet connection will occur when there is too much distance between the device and the wifi router, especially if there are walls or other hard surfaces in between. If people closer to the wifi router have better connectivity than others who are farther away, you may be able to improve the quality of the connection by adding another network "repeater" or "extender". This is equipment that connects with the main wifi router to boost the range across a larger area. Almost all Internet Service providers offer these devices to customers for an incremental increase in monthly cost, or you can purchase your own equipment at most electronic stores, though we only recommend you do this if you have the technical skills or have a technology savvy friend.

What if I can't afford to pay for faster Internet speeds?

We understand that not everyone can afford to pay for faster Internet speeds. Here are a few options to consider:

1. On request, BISD can provide a Kajeet cellular wifi router for students with Internet access problems at no charge. These devices are designed to support a single person and the Internet speed is generally not as robust as ISP broadband services because it is dependent on how close you are to the cellular tower. Families with multiple students can request additional Kajeet devices. 
2. If you are NOT a Comcast customer, you may want to review their "Internet Essentials" package, which offers Internet at a reduced price, but does require that you qualify for the program. Details can be found here. 
3. If you ARE a Comcast customer, you may be able to take advantage of free WIFI (for Comcast customers) at any of their hotspot locations. You can search for a Comcast Xfinity hotspot location here.
4. WA state has listed locations for free WIFI across the state. 
5. The Bainbridge Island public library and all BISD parking areas support free WIFI access.

If none of these options work, please contact the teacher or school administrator to discuss if there are any other options available.

As we head into a school year that looks very different than in school years in the past, getting ready for school will be different too.  Creating a learning space and routine at home is an important part of social emotional learning for all students.  Here are a few suggestions for families to consider.

• Find a dedicated space for learning. This will look different for each student. Some students prefer to have a quiet space in a corner in a room, while others prefer to be at a desk or table.The most important thing is letting your student have some choice over the space as long as they are able to be engaged in learning, the space is perfect.  
• Student supplies will need to be easily accessible for students.  Maybe use a box to hold items while not in use.  Some students may prefer to keep supplies in their backpack so they can have flexibility in moving their learning space. Some students might enjoy decorating their supply box. Again, work with your student in deciding how they’d like to organize their supplies. 
• Students will need to have tools for keeping track of time. Knowing when to log on to a Zoom call or keeping track of break time will be a part of a students daily routine this year.  Using a digital device to track time or even a kitchen timer will help students self monitor.  

We cannot commit that all students will have access to the exact same classes through both models, but do know that all students accessing either models will have a rich selection of educational courses and will be able to meet district and state learning goals, as well as earn credits towards graduation (at the high school course level).

We will be working to assess the feasibility of families changing from a hybrid to a 100% online model and anticipate that the primary consideration will be the availability of space in the model.  The 100% model will still have an element that provides connection with BISD staff, who will be supporting the program, and thus there are staffing considerations when requests such as this are made.

We will work directly with OSPI and the Department of Health regarding guidance as to when our traditional school model is deemed safe. 

We will work directly with the Department of Health (Washington State & Kitsap County) to evaluate when it is safe to hold in-person school. In additon, the Department of Health issued a Decision Tree for Provision of In-Person Learning among Public and Private K-12 Students During COVID-19. 

In coordination with the guidance from OSPI and the Department of Health, we are developing guidelines for classroom instruction with a focus on starting school in September.

The testing of individuals is a personal health determination.

An individual with a symptomatic, confirmed case may return once it's been 10 days since symptoms first appeared, the symptoms have improved and that the person hasn't had a fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of mediation).

All three conditions must be met. An individual with an asymptomatic confirmed case may return once 10 days have passed since the date of the COVID-19 test

For families who seek to report positive tests, they can share the information with the district or building COVID-19 Points of Contact. 

• Jim Corsetti, jcorsetti@bisd303.org or 206-780-1261
• Dane Fenwick, dfenwick@bisd303.org or 206-780-1454
• Erin Murphy, emurphy@bisd303.org or 206-780-1072

This decision was made with much deliberation. Both models have positive and negative aspects but the benefits of the half day schedule was seen as the preferred model  Some of this rationale includes: 

• The ability for teachers to have more in-person contact with students throughout the week was seen as an academic and social and emotional benefit for students. In the other model, students have a five-day span between seeing their teacher(s). 
• Increased in-person instruction through the week allows for peer connections. Our survey data indicated was a great desire by many students and families
• Increased in-person instruction through the week allows teachers to instruct, provide guided practice, answer questions, reteach when needed, and assess skills in person rather than being dependent on distance learning
• The ability to provide a daily schedule for students and families for four days a week was seen as healthy
• The requirement that students wear masks all day while on campus was a factor. The shortened day was seen as more feasible.  
• Serving lunch and taking off the mask in order to eat in the full day model was problematic. Not eating while at school was seen as the safer alternative. 
• The shortened day provides the ability to schedule in ways that reduce movement of students between locations and exposure to a much larger group of people each day.

Good question! These terms are often interchangeable but for BISD’s purposes, the terms are defined as:

• Distance Learning: The learning that takes place out of school for students enrolled in the Hybrid Learning Model. For example, if your child attends school in the AM, during the PM your child would participate in Distance Learning, which may include assignments provided by teachers and/or online components.
  
  
• Continuous Learning 2.0: If it is no longer possible for students to attend in-person due to the pandemic (i.e. the state closes physical school buildings), then students in the hybrid model will pivot to full-time Continuous Learning 2.0, implemented by their in-person classroom teacher(s). 

• 100% Online Home Learning: Students participating in 100% Online Home Learning do not physically attend school in-person. Instead, their curriculum is delivered via Edgenuity and is overseen by a BISD teacher assigned to your students.

The current plan is for all students K-12 to return to the traditional grading model.  The 100% Online Home Learning model using Edgenuity will track student progress by percentage of content mastered that will be converted to the grading scale by the supervising teacher. BISD will always align grading policies with State requirements.

Students served through Section 504 will be accommodated and supported regardless of whether they select the hybrid or 100% online learning model.

We understand that this will be challenging, especially with the increase in parents driving to and from school.

We will make every attempt to alternate student drop-off and pick-up at a staggered time than the buses. We also realize that we are managing half of the student population -- half in the AM, half in the PM. 

We recognize that the given situation creates a significant challenge for all parents who need care for their children outside of school hours. We are hopeful that options such as daycares, Bainbridge Island Parks District, and neighborhood coalitions will be of assistance and problem solve this issue. 

BISD will continue to provide in-school Developmental Preschool for students who qualify for special education and require this level of services.