Dear TFSD #411 Parents, Students, Patrons, and Staff:
On March 23, 2020, the Idaho State Board of Education directed districts to go into a soft closure until at least April 20th. Soft closure means that students will not be allowed on campus and instead will receive educational services through distance learning. School districts across the state have been asked to provide three educational services including distance learning equivalent to four hours (2.5 hours for kindergarten) a day, Special Education Services, and Food Service.
The Twin Falls School District would like to thank our community for your flexibility and understanding during these unique times. We are proud of how our community has worked together and are grateful for your patience and compassion as we deal with the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation continues to change, we will continue to help protect our community while still educating our students to the best our ability. Thank you!
We will be flexible with our students and their families as we diligently work to continue offering education to the students in our community. We know that not every family has a device/computer and not every family has internet access. Below you will find information about how we can support you and your children in these challenging times.
- Chromebook Check Out Plan: We understand that not all students in our district have devices where they can access digital educational materials. To help serve students, we will be checking out Chromebooks on Monday, March 30 for student use.
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- Parents must be present and sign a form for their children to have access to these devices.
- Please do not check out a device if you own one, as supplies are limited. One Chromebook will be supplied per family.
- Chromebooks can be picked up at each school during the hours listed below, based on the first letter of your last name. Please go to your child’s school to pick up a Chromebook for them.
- If you cannot pick up a Chromebook during this time, please contact your child’s principal to arrange a time.
- Check out times (Check out will be done at your home school):
- 10:00am - 11:00am Last Names A-F
- 11:00am - 12:00pm Last Names G-M
- 12:00pm - 1:00pm Last Names N-S
- 1:00pm - 2:00pm Last Names T-Z
- Internet Access Resources: We will continue to provide an updated list of internet access resources as they become available. Please follow this link to see where public wifi is available and service providers who are offering deals for the COVID pandemic: Twin Falls Free WiFi Locations and Offers
- Educational Service: Distance Learning and Teacher Communications
Based on guidance from the Idaho State Department of Education, we will be providing an average of four hours of instructional time per day for every student. At the elementary level, this means that teachers will be sharing digital resources and/or activities that you could be utilized to provide roughly four hours of instruction. This can include reading, art, physical education, math, digital learning programs, silent and/or oral reading, etc. This will look a little different depending on the grade level and classes in which your student is enrolled. For students at the secondary level, you will receive activities from each of your teachers that should equate to approximately 20 combined hours of work per week. We encourage parents to check regularly with their children to make sure they are completing these activities.
For any elementary or secondary students not able to access material online, packets of material will be made available at the school for pick up. Please check with your schools to see when and where to pick up your packets.
If you or your student has technical difficulties while trying to access these digital resources and activities, please contact your child’s teacher and they will work with our IT department to address the issue. Again, we will be flexible with our students during this time and we ask that you do the same with our teachers and technology professionals.
If you or your children do not receive communication from their teacher on Monday or Tuesday (March 30/31), please reach out to the teacher. All TFSD email addresses are formatted LastNameFirstTwoLettersOfFirstName@tfsd.org. For example, Susie Smith’s email address would be SmithSu@tfsd.org
- Special Education Services: We are aware of the challenges associated with providing services through distance learning. Special Education teachers will be checking in with each special education student or their parent two times a week. In addition, Special Education teachers will work with the general education teachers to make sure they are providing accommodations for their students as required by each student’s IEP/504. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s IEP/504 services, please contact the child’s special education teacher or the child’s general education teacher.
- Food Service: Starting, Monday, March 30, we will begin feeding community children at six locations, Bickel, Harrison, Lincoln, Morningside, Oregon Trail, and Perrine. Breakfast and lunch will be available to children ages 1-18 free of charge. As per federal rules, children must be present to receive the meals. Parents will not be allowed to pick up meals for children who are not with them. Both meals, a breakfast and a lunch, will be given at the same time from the front of the schools. Food has to be taken off-site and will be in a grab-n-go sack. Adults may purchase meals just like in summer. Meals will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Cost of meals for the parents will be $3.30 for breakfast and $4.55 for lunch.