In a letter laying out the various phases of what she calls the “20-21 Learn Lafayette” plan, Superintendent Irma Trosclair says collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Health will be ongoing throughout the school year. Coronavirus, she acknowledges, could push the district into an all-virtual scenario.
“We have delayed the start of school to ensure that employees have time to be trained, practice safety protocols, and to prepare for an effective start to the 2020-2021 school year,” she says. The academic year will begin on Monday, Aug. 17, in Phase 2, which will remain in effect through the end of the first nine weeks on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
“Teaching and learning models are phase dependent; however, it may
become necessary to adjust plans based on the status and unique needs of our community,” she says. “Plans are fluid and may evolve as we receive guidance from the Louisiana Department of Education, Louisiana
Department of Health, and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.”
Families have the option to choose a 100% virtual learning model. To allow the system to evaluate and respond to staffing needs, the deadline to apply to Lafayette Online Academy is Monday, Aug. 3.
Based on the status of coronavirus in the state, Trosclair writes, it may be necessary for the district or particular schools to switch to a 100% distance-learning scenario.
More details will be communicated in the coming weeks. Read her letter and view the plan here.