There is no action needed from students/families at this time.
If you decide before the end of this 2020-2021 school year, that you would like your student to attend in-person learning at any time during the 2021-2022 school year, please email DEC@hcpss.org to remove your commitment for the DEC, as your commitment is to the virtual option for the entire 2021-2022 school year.
Please be aware of the following next steps:
The DEC priority commitment period closed May 5. Families who are interested in committing to the DEC at a later time may have the opportunity to participate if space is available in the program after final budget approval.
HCPSS will provide supports for all students with IEP, 504 or Active EL plans. While the DEC will provide 504 accommodations and services and special education and related services virtually, there may be some services that can only be provided at a physical location or through a face-to-face provider. The DEC and the student’s case manager will review the support services needed prior to final enrollment. Some services may be provided by staff at the student’s designated home school.
Because transportation is limited, the option to take part in Career Academies at ARL would depend on the individual student’s course and schedule needs. Most students would only be able to take virtual CTE courses where available.
The music courses offered will depend on the courses requested by students enrolling in the DEC as well as DEC staffing. Students will have the opportunity to finalize their schedule with a DEC staff member prior to completing their enrollment in the DEC. Should their desired course(s) not be available, students can decide to remain enrolled in their designated home school for the 2021-2022 school year.
DEC enrollment information can be found on the HCPSS Help Site, under the Digital Education Center (2021-2022): Interest and Enrollment.
Families will be responsible for providing transportation to and from the home school. Schools may also be able to provide the options for students to participate virtually. In some cases, students in after school activities may be able to utilize the transportation for all students in after school activities.
The DEC is an education center, which means students will maintain a connection with their designated home school. Students can choose to participate in extracurricular activities, including athletics, at that school as schedules and transportation allows. However, students will receive their instruction through the DEC.
The DEC is planning on offering a wide range of courses. Similar to course scheduling at all HCPSS schools, the number of courses offered will depend on the courses requested by students enrolling in the DEC as well as DEC staffing. Students will have the opportunity to finalize their schedule with a DEC staff member prior to completing their enrollment in the DEC.
