Frequently Asked Questions

• The comprehensive sites will provide 48* instructional minutes per period every day including a scheduled block of time (30 min) for synchronous interaction.
• YHS will provide 30* instructional minutes per period every day including a scheduled block of time (30 min) for synchronous interaction.
• SHS will provide 48* instructional minutes per period every day including a scheduled block of time (48 min) for synchronous interaction.

Attendance codes will be developed in Aeries to track completion time for students and produce logs for interventions.

Special Education at all sites:  Scheduled time shall ALL be synchronous and Special Education teachers must provide additional synchronous time during Non-instructional time so their students meet required service minutes synchronously each day.

*Instructional minutes for distance learning (per SB-98) is the time value of assignments given by the teacher that day.

The bell schedule for each site will remain generally the same as it is now, with instructional time ending around 12:30PM each day and non-instructional time running until the school's end time.  Non-instructional time will be used for outreach to special populations, department collaboration, staff meetings, etc.

There is accountability for teachers (scheduled class time) and for students (grades). Distance learning tools will also be given to students (mifis) and Zoom accounts and web cams will also be provided for teachers. Ongoing professional development for teachers and an updated distance learning plan has been developed to ensure students and staff are providing a quality learning experience for students.

Schools are creating Intervention Teams to help contact non-attending students. Specific protocols are site-specific.

Yes. MUHSD AP teachers will work hard to ensure effective and strategic instruction for students.  We encourage students to take full advantage of teachers' scheduled office hours for additional support, as well as the online tutorial services that will be available after school.

Yes.

Teachers will create the best learning environment possible for students, given our distance learning environment.  Some requirements may be waived.

Yes. If a student is interested in taking college classes while in high school, they should contact a counselor. The list of courses offered at Merced College that meet graduation requirements and can be taken in place of MUHSD courses is located here. Freshmen and Sophomores must take 6 MUHSD courses and 1 college course. Juniors and Seniors must take 5 MUHSD courses and 2 MC courses.

Special Education at all sites:  Scheduled time shall ALL be synchronous and Special Education teachers must provide additional synchronous time during Non-instructional time so their students meet required service minutes synchronously each day.

Counselors will be available to support students via Zoom and make referrals as needed. Student Support Managers will also be working with students to provide support for mental health concerns. There will be in-person access for critical needs.

Yes. It is preferred that an appointment is set up for in-person assistance, however there will be walk-up desks/windows at each site and a counselor on-hand if immediate support is needed. 

Students will email teacher librarians if they need support with research or technology. Every site will vary with how they will utilize their library as a resource.

Yes. PE teachers will hold classes online as well. 

All fall sports have been postponed until the second half of the school year. Student athletes will follow a similar plan to a standard PE class at this time. Coaches could structure workouts for sports specific conditioning as they deem necessary, as long as district guidelines are maintained and student/family health and safety are the focus.

Currently, the state health department has said no to Performing Arts. They are being asked to reconsider this guideline and allow it to function like athletics.  We will keep you informed should things change.  FFA activities are still calendared and will be formatted using county and state health departments guidelines.

Yes. Clubs will exist virtually during Distance Learning. 

Yes. There will be online after school activities during Distance Learning. Contact site Associate Principal for more information. 

No, Saturday Academy will not exist during Distance Learning. 

Training with MiFis is occurring this week (Aug 10-14). Hotspots will be delivered on Monday (Aug 17).

There will be a helpline as well as a help desk staffed with people ready to assist. Contact a specific campus for their protocols.

Several personal protection and cleaning protocols have been put in place to keep them safe. These precautionary measures are based on the COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Schools and School Based Programs released by the California Department of Education and CalOSHA. Along with those guidelines, visits to the campus from outside organizations will be limited and monitored. Additionally, all transactions with visitors will be handled outside as much as possible.

All staff complete a covid screener on a daily basis to ensure that they do not have COVID symptoms.  In addition, staff members will be required to follow safety protocols which include wearing a mask at all times and maintaining a distance of 6 feet.  Visitors will be required to complete a COVID screener which includes a temperature check.  All visitors must wear a mask.

Yes. Meals will be available for students enrolled in MUHSD at all sites. To accommodate families, both breakfast and lunch may be picked up at two separate times each day, 7am-8:30am and 12:00pm-1:15pm. (Times are subject to change.)

No. To make up for lost time, the week-long vacations that normally occur in November and February have been shortened. The school year will still end the first week of June. 

Please check out our Distance Learning Toolkit for Parents.

Path to Professional Development for 2020-2021 included:

• 2-day comprehensive, interactive bootcamp
• 12 modules (facilitated synchronously/asynchronously via Zoom)
• Personalized, follow-up support on-demand
• Tier 2 InnovatED course launched (week of Aug 10) as voluntary paid opportunity following required 2-day bootcamp

Required Teacher Training for Distance Learning

• Module 1- Standards & Distance Learning Plan
• Module 2- MUHSD Core Values, UDL, and 4Cs
• Module 3- Zoom
• Module 4- Attendance, Participation, Communication
• Module 5- Online Teaching & Learning
• Module 6- Learning Management System (Canvas)
• Module 7- Google Apps, Digital Citizenship, Netiquette
• Module 8- Screencasting and Apps
• Module 9- Digital Curriculum & Instructional Design/Delivery
• Module 10- Serving All Students
• Module 11- Family Engagement and Parent Square
• Module 12- Troubleshooting, Tech Support, and Plan B