The Hybrid Model: BSD’s Plan for the New School Year

By Camden Maggard

This article was originally published on July 9th, 2020.

Update: Since the release of this article, the state has decided to close all in-person schools until at least November. However, similar plans to those outlined in this article are likely to take place once the closures are partially lifted.

As the new school year approaches, many questions arise about how school is going to be handled in the age of COVID-19. Luckily, the district has some answers, found under the “COVID-19” tab on the district web page (which can be found here). Let’s break it down:

As of now, there are three planned paths for students to take when beginning the new school year. The primary plan is called the hybrid model, which is, as the name implies, a hybrid between a traditional school model and distance learning. This is how the district explains it on their web page:

Under [the hybrid model], student groups — called attendance groups or cohorts — will attend in-person classes at school using staggered schedules. For example, half of the students may attend one day, while the other half may participate in remote online learning from home. Then the cohorts would switch. The exact schedules will vary based on the different grade levels: elementary, middle school and high school.

Such a model would allow there to be fewer students in the classroom at any given time, and also reduce the exposure between classes with the cohort model. This, along with mask use, could drastically reduce the spread of COVID-19 at school. The district has yet to release more details regarding this model, and is currently figuring out scheduling and more specific details. More information should come out as the summer progresses.

The second mode of learning planned for the new year is called the comprehensive distance learning model, and is a planned form of distance learning through the pre-existing school system. The information regarding this option on the district’s website is vagu, and will be updated later once we get more information.

Lastly, the third path is a brand new online school, called Flex Online. Flex Online is a permanent school, not a temporary solution to the pandemic. You can think of the new school as BSD’s response to non-district affiliated online schooling options that have been around for years. Flex Online is not associated with Sunset, and transferring would mean becoming a Flex Online student. Enrollment ends July 24, and to enroll, or find out more about the program, you can visit the Flex Online website.

It’s important to remember that the district’s plan for the upcoming year, which contains little to no input from teachers and students, could change at any time. With COVID-19 cases increasing, we could see a number of different possible outcomes come September. As always, try to stay flexible as we approach the new school year.

The district is holding a series of question and answer sessions on YouTube in the following week, the schedule for which is below. You can find the district’s YouTube channel here.

Monday, July 13

• 2:00 p.m. Return-to-School Plan
• 7:00 p.m. Flex Online only

Tuesday, July 14

• 2:00 p.m. Flex Online only
• 7:00 p.m. Return-to-School Plan

Wednesday, July 15 (Spanish only)

• 2:00 p.m. Flex Online only
• 7:00 p.m. Return-to-School Plan