CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System provided more information this week about the CMCSS K-12 Virtual program.

On Tuesday evening, correspondence was sent to parents detailing specifics on how the K-12 Virtual program will work and what options are and aren’t available.

Here are a few things you should know about the CMCSS K-12 Virtual option:

1. Enroll this week

Parents will be sent a link to enroll their student in either traditional or CMCSS K-12 Virtual starting today, Wednesday, July 15. The deadline to enroll is 4 p.m. Sunday, July 19.

The district will send parents/guardians an electronic form by email or text, and they will need to make the choice between traditional or CMCSS K-12 Virtual. Families will have the ability to select different options for each child in their household and must say whether they will need bus transportation. Students not currently enrolled in CMCSS need to be pre-enrolled, and after pre-enrollment is complete, parents will receive a link to chose traditional or virtual within 24 to 48 hours. This quick enrollment period allows CMCSS to balance staffing, develop bus routes, and make other important operational decisions, according to CMCSS.

2. Technology will be provided

CMCSS will provide K-12 Virtual students with all the technology they need. They are asking parents not to purchase technology and allow CMCSS to provide all necessary devices. If there’s unstable internet service in the student’s home, CMCSS will provide hotspots upon request.

3. What a virtual school day looks like

Students should be prepared to spend the same amount of time each day engaged with the classroom teacher and/or peers, working independently, or meeting with the teacher in small group settings. Each K-12 Virtual teacher will have designated times each day to answer questions or conference with students and/or their learning mentor.

Students will use SchoolsPLP as their learning management system, and some courses may require additional platforms such as one aligning with their textbook, Google Classroom or another platform specific to the course.

Grades will be entered into PowerSchool.

4. Class options will be limited

CMCSS will do its best to offer a wide variety of options for students in K-12 Virtual, but some classes are not possible. The two main goals for school counselors are for students to remain on track to graduate and allow the greatest variety of course options.

If a course is offered at a traditional school and not through K-12 Virtual, a student cannot be enrolled in both options and will have to choose. During the final scheduling process, students can request a case review. Students enrolled in K-12 Virtual will have an opportunity to enroll in traditional school if a course he or she wishes to take cannot be offered virtually.

5. About Special Needs/IEP/504 Plans

If a student has an IEP or 504 Plan and is enrolled in K-12 Virtual, it is the responsibility of CMCSS to ensure the school system meets all requirements of the individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504. They will follow all modifications and accommodations documented on the IEP or 504 Plan as appropriate.

Some accommodations listed in a plan may not be conducive to the virtual environment. In that case, the enrolled school is responsible for providing accommodations to help the student be successful in a virtual setting.

6. No academies

Students accepted into one of the academies for the 2020-21 school year before the COVID-19 closures will not be able to participate in the academies if they enroll in K-12 Virtual because “academy students are clustered in a cohort model and required to complete interdisciplinary challenges based on Career and Technology (CTE) standards, and it is not possible to offer that in a the virtual setting.”

7. Few Career and Tech Education classes

There will be few CTE courses offerings through K-12 Virtual due to the “TN Department of Educations three-course focused elective group graduation requirement and the hands-on nature of the majority of CTE courses.”

Those interested in the K-12 Virtual option will need to work with a counselor to determine the most appropriate focus elective group option.

8. Sports, band, proms are available

A student enrolled in K-12 Virtual can participate in the following activities at their enrolled school: On-campus clubs that occur outside of the regular school day, homecoming, prom, sports teams, Show Choir and Marching Band. But they must participate in the associated on-site course, and a case review will be conducted to determine the feasibility.

9. About the Class of 2021 

Class of 2021 seniors will be able to participate in traditional graduation at their enrolled schools ceremony. Their diploma will have their enrolled school listed on it.

Honors, AP and Dual Enrollment courses will be offered to students wishing to enroll in the virtual program to “the greatest extent possible,” but the courses will be based on student demand and qualified instructor availability for each course, as in traditional high school.

For more information

The CMCSS reopening website offers more information in detail.

Click here for an overview of the CMCSS K-12 Virtual option, including an FAQ.

Click here for a brief video developed by the district’s Technology Integration Coaches to share more information about the SchoolsPLP learning management system that will be utilized for CMCSS K-12 Virtual.

Click here for additional information on the district’s health and safety protocols for reopening schools in the traditional model.