Frequently Asked Questions - Trojan Connect Program (All Virtual Option)
IMPORTANT UPDATE: With new recommendations published last week from the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the deadline to opt-in to the Trojan Connect Program (virtual option) or the blended option has been extended from July 31 to August 7. This extension allows more time for JPS parents/guardians to make an informed decision about the best option for their student(s) and family, and also allows JPS administrators more time to monitor the recent rise in COVID-19 cases and update the return to learn plan accordingly. More information will be shared after the JPS Board of Education meeting on Monday, August 3.
Please read the following Q&A's carefully to learn more about the Trojan Connect program. If you still have questions, you may submit them via the "Contact Us" form on the JPS website.
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ဒီစာရွက်စာတမ်းကိုဗမာဘာသာဖြင့်ကြည့်ပါ။ (Burmese).
How do I sign up for the Trojan Connect Program?
Click here to opt-in to the Trojan Connect Program (ALL VIRTUAL). Students must opt-in by August 7.
Once my student is enrolled in the Trojan Connect Program, can I change my mind?
Once a student has signed up for this option, the student will be locked into the Trojan Connect Program for the entire fall semester. If the student desires to return to the “at-school” learning option for the spring semester, he/she must communicate that desire by November 20.
If a student selects the “at-school” option but desires to join the Trojan Connect Program, he/she will have the opportunity to enroll in December.
Will families be able to opt-in to Trojan Connect or the blended option after August 7?
Families currently enrolled in JPS will need to commit by August 7 so that sites can make adjustments to teacher schedules and provide training. There will be exceptions for families that are new to JPS and enroll after August 7. Families can opt-in or out of virtual programming by November 20th.
Can my student still participate in activities and/or athletics while enrolled in the Trojan Connect Program?
If your child would like to play a sport or participate in an activity that requires in-person attendance, he/she should opt-in to the blended model. The student can take classes online during the day and then arrive on campus for the sport or activity. The blended model is only available for students in grades 7-12. Click here to opt-in to the blended model (BLENDED). Students must opt-in by August 7. Click here to view questions and answers regarding athletic eligibility and the learning options for 2020-21.
Which courses are available to students in grades 7-12?
The course lists can be found using the links listed below
Freshman Academy/High School Course Options
Will there be teachers assigned to interact and monitor the virtual students learning? How much teacher interaction and support?
A JPS teacher will monitor student progress and facilitate instructional support in the Trojan Connect Program and blended model. The student-teacher interactions will vary based on the student's grade level, instructional needs, coursework demands, and/or graduation requirements.
How is Trojan Connect different from other non-traditional educational programs?
Trojan Connect leverages the resources of the JPS community to provide families with support beyond the instructional activities provided in the virtual courseware.
Will Jenks maintain the same standards of education and curriculum for in-class and virtual students? If so how?
The standards will remain the same in both settings; however, the deployment of the standards may look different based on the instructional delivery a family selects. The teacher of record in both Trojan Connect and the traditional classroom have the ability to supplement the district adopted instructional tools and/or programs if additional support is needed for a specific standard. Students in all settings will have access to Exact Path for customized, supplemental support in reading, language arts, and mathematics standards.
How will elementary students receive technology if they choose the Trojan Connect program?
Once families complete Registration Gateway AND complete the Trojan Connect enrollment process, families will be contacted to pick up a device (beginning August 11th).
Is Trojan Connect available to students in Pre-Kindergarten?
No, Pre-K is not available at this time.
Will students taking virtual coursework, either full-time or blended, have access to Jenks teachers throughout the day or only at specific times?
Similar to classroom practices, JPS teachers (serving students virtually or face-to-face) have a number of responsibilities to balance throughout the day. Teachers will have regularly scheduled "office hours" in addition to responding to emails within 24 hours.
How long will students be at school if they opt-in to the blended model in grades 7-12?
Students taking virtual coursework are considered blended if they enroll in at least one face-to-face class. A student's time on campus will vary by the bell schedule and number of courses, virtually or at school, a student takes.
How can families learn more about Calvert for elementary and intermediate students?
Click here to view Calvert course catalog
How will the Trojan Connect Program be different from the Distance Learning students experienced in the Spring of 2020?
During distance learning, the Oklahoma State Department of Education provided strict guidance on the type and amount of time allowed for instructional activities. There was an emphasis on maintaining and deepening existing skills and content, while introducing key concepts and skills from the fourth quarter curriculum. Distance learning was provided with menu boards, Google Meets with the teacher, and Canvas activities. The learning experiences during distance learning were created by JPS teachers and facilitated by the student's teacher(s). The Trojan Connect Program will not be the same experience as distance learning. In the Trojan Connect Program, students will engage in learning new content, completing assignments, and practicing skills using online courseware created by district adopted vendors. Students opting-in to Trojan Connect will have the same academic requirements and expectations as a face-to-face environment but be required to complete coursework online. JPS teachers will serve as facilitators and provide instructional support in this environment but will not deliver the majority of instruction. JPS teachers will continue to monitor student progress and provide instructional support as necessitated by the curriculum and student needs.
Will school/site specific programs (Spanish Dual-Language, Chinese Partial Immersion, International Baccalaureate, STEM) be available to my child in the Trojan Connect Program?
Unfortunately, due to the current capacity of the Trojan Connect Program, these site-specific programs will not be available. However, if your child is currently enrolled in one of the specific programs offered at a site, they will be able to rejoin the program if/when they return to a face-to-face learning environment.
How will “in person” and/or “hands-on” electives be addressed (i.e. art classes, etc.) for the Trojan Connect Program?
At the elementary level, students will have the opportunity to engage in specials through the Calvert platform. However, due to the nature of the coursework, this will not look the same as it does in a face-to-face learning environment. Specific guidance will be provided by the teacher.
At the secondary level, blended learning options are currently available and will continue to be available in the 2020-2021 academic year.
Secondary students wishing to participate in full virtual learning may not have access to the full range of courses available in a face-to-face environment.
Will JPS make Chromebooks available to students who opt-in to the Trojan Connect Program or to students who transition from at-school learning to distance learning?
Yes, the JPS Educational Technology department has a plan in place for students to have access to devices at home on a more consistent basis. Students in the Virtual Learning Program will use district-issued devices in order to support and maintain access to district resources.
Will students in the Trojan Connect Program be able to take Pre-AP and AP coursework?
Students will have access to some AP courses in the full-time virtual program. Due to the approval process of AP College Board coursework, not all of the courses offered in a face-to-face setting will be accessible in a full-time virtual program.
Jenks Middle School is going to a seven-period day for the 2020-21 school year. How does that affect a student who chooses the Trojan Connect Program?
Due to the nature of the courseware platforms, students enrolled in grades 7-8 will only take six (6) courses in the Trojan Connect Program.
Is Calvert Learning (K-6) and/or Edgenuity (7-12) set up to address challenges and opportunities facing English Language Learners?
Yes. The adopted programs for elementary and secondary students will support language learners at a variety of levels. Specific guidance and pacing will need to be outlined by the teacher and the English Language Development support team to ensure the student is continuing to receive the necessary services for academic success.
Are there virtual learning opportunities for students with special needs?
The plan and delivery model will be determined by the IEP team to ensure the learning environment best aligns with the student goals and objectives.
How will testing work in the Trojan Connect Program?
For tests requiring face-to-face assessment, families will schedule a time to meet with the teacher during the District’s defined assessment windows. Assessments that can be completed at home will still be completed during the specified assessment window.
***New Questions as of July 16, 2020***
Does the Full Online option have a set schedule or can students study at their own pace?
The virtual schedule is flexible. Students do not have to work during normal school hours, but they must keep up with the recommended pacing of the program. Students should plan to devote four to five hours per day to completing their schoolwork. Teachers will occasionally schedule specific learning activities that students must sign on to attend during the school day.
Will children who have an IEP be able to choose virtual over face to face and will that affect their services?
Students who are served by Individualized Education Plans can choose virtual options. The IEP team will determine appropriate services, accommodations, and modifications for the selected option.
For Trojan Connect, will students be placed in a "class" or are grade levels lumped together? Will all Connect students for each grade level have the same exact work?
Trojan Connect teachers may serve one grade level or a combination of grade levels depending on the demand for this program at each site. However, each student will be enrolled in his or her appropriate grade level. The project-based nature of the Calvert Learning program for elementary and intermediate students does allow for differentiation, but assignments will be similar for students enrolled in the same grade.
Will students who choose the Trojan Connect Program receive Gifted services?
For qualified students at elementary and intermediate levels, gifted services in the Trojan Connect Program will be provided through supplemental projects and opportunities for additional virtual learning experiences offered by the site Gifted Coordinator. For secondary students, gifted services are provided through advanced coursework opportunities. Secondary students should work with their guidance counselor to ensure appropriate course placement.
I am interested in the Trojan Connect full- time online option, but I have an intermediate student who wants to begin taking band or orchestra. Is this an option?
Due to the program pathway for instrumental music, students enrolling in 6th grade band or orchestra will have the option to attend band/orchestra classes on campus and take all other coursework online. Please note that families need to arrange transportation to and from campus at specific times if the course is offered outside of the bus route times. Families selecting this option will need to complete the Trojan Connect form and communicate interest in band/orchestra classes to the site principal.
Will intermediate students enrolled in the Trojan Connect Program have access to advanced math courses?
Yes. Students enrolled in Algebra Fundamentals at 5th grade or Pre-Algebra at 6th grade will have access to the appropriate math course through Trojan Connect. Algebra Fundamentals students will take the sixth grade Calvert Learning math course, and Pre-Algebra students will be enrolled in the Edgenuity Pre-Algebra course.
If we choose the Trojan Connect Program, will my child be able to have school pictures taken and be in the yearbook?
Yes. Students who select the Trojan Connect Program for all virtual learning will remain enrolled at their school sites, rather than moving to a separate “virtual academy.” Parents will be notified of school picture opportunities.