FAQ - Tomball Virtual School (TVS)
How will attendance be taken at TVS?
If a child participates in the TVS, can they still participate in campus-based clubs and organizations?
Can we extend the deadline for the commitment form?
Once I commit to either Tomball Virtual School or face to face instruction, can I change my mind?
How do I complete the commitment form if I have not yet registered my child for school in TISD?
What courses will be offered through TVS?
The following courses will NOT be offered virtually: (***If additional courses are deemed not possible to offer in the virtual environment, the list below will be updated. Please check back for updates. We will continue to provide information that we have as it becomes available.)
***All CTE courses are not guaranteed to be offered in the virtual environment. Depending on the number of students who sign up for virtual school and their course selections, course determinations will be made. If there is a conflict with a student selection, the counselor will contact you to work through other potential courses. Please note that many CTE courses may require a face-to-face lab requirement during the week to supplement the virtual instruction. The lab time will be determined by the teacher and could be held after school hours. Transportation will not be provided to on-campus lab activities. In addition, some components of courses may limit the availability of the course offering such as Health Science courses that require contact hours in the clinical setting. Due to health restrictions, some or all of these courses could be affected. If this is the case, you will be contacted to work through a schedule solution prior to the start of school.
What if my child is enrolled in a course that is not offered through TVS?
What if my child is enrolled in an elective course that is not offered through TVS?
My student needs to take the Algebra I placement exam in order to take Algebra at the junior high level. Can this happen?
Will TVS curriculum be consistent with the curriculum used in the face to face environment?
What will a typical week or day look like for a TVS student?
How will the learning in TVS be different from Remote Learning this spring?
Jul 13, 2020 11:30 AM - The Tomball Virtual School has numerous differences from Remote learning in the spring. The Tomball Virtual School (TVS) will be more consistent with face to face instruction. Students who receive supplemental services or are in different grades will find that their services are developmentally appropriate. Key aspects of the Tomball Virtual Academy include:
- Students will be expected to follow the full instructional day plan according to the campus bell schedule and expectations of individual teachers.
- Content learning and activities will be planned by the teacher to make sure each student receives appropriate instructional minutes in synchronous or asynchronous learning opportunities.
- A mix of pre-recorded videos and real-time virtual lessons.
- The same scope and sequence as students in the classroom
- Increased rigor and accountability
- Daily expectations for learning and progress, not weekly completion grades
- Daily engagement with teacher via Schoology
- Attendance is required
Will there be flexibility during the instructional day for families who cannot log on during the designated synchronous instruction time?
Will students participating in TVS be able to take home guided reading books or other classroom resources?
How will enrichment and intervention be handled through TVS?
If my student is enrolled in TVS, will they be able to work ahead and finish coursework at their own pace?
Will lessons be taught live or via pre-recorded video?
Jul 13, 2020 11:30 AM - Students will have both synchronous and asynchronous instruction that include live lessons in addition to pre-recorded lessons. They may receive instruction in the following ways including, but not limited to:
- Authentic student work/assignments with timely and relevant feedback
- Hands-on activities which may need an extra pair of at “home” hands
- Instructional activities within Schoology Platform and/or Google Classroom
- Portfolio tasks and turning in of assignments
- Assessments
- Video lessons
- Project based learning/assignments
- Group/partner projects
- Direct instruction from teacher in group setting through video conferencing
Lessons will be delivered in a variety of formats that could include both components. Our expectation is that the majority of lessons will be taught in a live virtual setting.
Will assignments be due every day or every week?
How much of the learning will be asynchronous versus synchronous?
At the secondary level, up to 70%- 80% of the instruction may be synchronous with some assignments being asynchronous as needed.
How will my child receive feedback if enrolled in TVS?
What will the day look like for virtual learning? Will my child be on the computer from 8:40 a.m. - 3:50 p.m.?
If my child participates in the TVS, how will they get extra help when they have questions?
When will my student have access to the new learning management system, Schoology?
If a student does not enroll in the TVS, but then has to quarantine, do they move to TVS or does the in person teacher manage their temporary absence virtually?
Does the District have the right to terminate virtual learning?
Academic performance is a top priority for the district. We make it our goal to consistently communicate and work with students and families regardless of learning environment to ensure student success. This is a partnership between campus staff and families. If students who have opted for remote/virtual learning are not successful in virtual learning based on data collected by the campus, we, as a district, will terminate the remote learning option for the student in order to maximize the student’s academic success. The process for terminating remote learning for a student who falls in this category is:
- The campus will inform the parent/guardian of the termination of remote learning and the plan to return the student to face to face instruction due to lack of success virtually.
- If a student is served through Special Education, a meeting will be held to formalize the change of learning environment.
- Up to a two week transition period will be allowed in order for families to make needed arrangements to return to face-to-face instruction.
- A new schedule will be communicated to the family and a plan for return will be put in place.
Can my student participate in athletics/fine arts/extracurricular activities if enrolled in TVS?
Can my TVS student participate in fine arts/PE?
How will TVS courses be graded?
How will testing be handled to prevent cheating in a virtual assessment?
Will TVS be providing meals for students?
Will TVS students need to purchase school supplies for the new school year?
Is a new IEP needed for the 2020-2021 school year to participate in TVS?
Will my child receive their full IEP in TVS?
Are their limitations in implementing an IEP in TVS?
I want my child in Special Education to attend in person classes, but due to disability-related medical conditions an in person environment is not safe.
Will my child receive speech and language services in TVS?
Will paper packets be distributed through the TVS when appropriate?
What additional training will Special Education and General Education receive to provide instruction to students with disabilities?
Will there be opportunities for students to be screened for GT?
How will specific related services be handled in TVS?
How will dyslexic students have access to their programming if they participate in the TVS?
Will my child be offered Social and Emotional Learning opportunities through TVS?
If my child chooses TVS will they still be associated with their home campus?
Who will be my student’s virtual teacher and will that teacher be from our home campus?
What are the specs for the Chromebooks Tomball ISD uses?