FAQs

If you have specific questions, please submit them through this Google form. We will try to answer questions at the meeting and then work to compile and publish a list of FAQs. https://forms.gle/YJDvTM8nMdeb5JLbA

Is there any chance school will resume this year?
According to the Governor’s executive order, school will not continue (as we know it) for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.

When can students pick up their belongings?
Principals will be communicating with their building staff and parents on how belongings can be retrieved.

How can we give our seniors a graduation?
Graduation 2020: Seaman High School Graduation 2020 will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2020, at 4:00 PM and will be held at the Stormont Vail Events Center in Topeka.

Graduation 2020 Practice and Cookout: 2020 Seniors will convene in the SHS Auditorium on Friday, 7/31, 11:00 AM for graduation practice and checkout. A cookout will follow. Graduates will receive their cap and gown during checkout. We are in communication with Jostens regarding a plan to modify announcements and arrange for pickup or delivery.

Prom 2020: The SHS Prom is planned for Thursday, 7/30, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Stormont Vail Events Center, Exhibition Hall. We are planning for an online registration and are in communication with our Afterglow committee about an abbreviated event.

Can kids keep their laptops for continuous learning?
Yes. If your child currently has a laptop for their 1:1 learning, they will continue to use that for their continued learning.

When will kids return their laptops?
This will be determined at a later time in accordance to CDC guidelines and recommendations. At this time, we anticipate returning laptops at the end of the school year so they can receive their annual cleaning and maintenance.

Are teachers and paras expected to report to buildings?
Teachers and paras are not expected to return to buildings as we know it today, but they will be expected to continue to teach according to the continuous learning plan.

How will education continue for my special ed student?
We are working on a special services plan for our students with disabilities. We are in constant communication with our state in how this will look going forward.

If a teacher is high risk, or has an immediate family member who is high risk, will they be required to report to a building?
No

Will students be allowed to keep their laptop during the summer?
At this time, we anticipate returning laptops at the end of the school year so they can receive their annual cleaning and maintenance.

Can I get a refund on my lunch account?
Yes. Call 785-575-8650 to request a refund. Balances will roll over to the next school year and/or can be transferred to another student.

Will I be refunded by Boys and Girls Club money?
Please contact Topeka Boys and Girls Club for information on refunds.

Will I still have my IEP meeting?
Yes. Meetings might look different with virtual or phone conferences but they will continue.

What does this closure mean to paras and other non-essential employees?
All employees (unless you’re in a high-risk category) will be on call to work as needed. All employees will continue to be paid according to their 2019-20 wages and hours.

Will there be an 8th grade promotion? Other 8th grade celebrations?
At this time, we do not know.

What should families do if they do not have internet?
Teachers will work with parents to provide learning in different ways, depending on the need of our families.

How will lessons be delivered to students without technology?
Teachers will work with parents to provide learning in different ways, depending on the need of our families.

What will 2020 enrollment look like?
At this time, enrollment will look similar to the district’s online enrollment process.

Will temperatures be required before students and staff are allowed to enter the buildings?
If a student or staff has a temperature, they should not be visiting buildings. If we are required to take temperatures of visitors, we can do so.

How will kids meet graduation requirements?
The USD 345 School Board voted to waive the 25 credit requirement. We will follow the state requirements of 21 credits for the class of 2020.

What does art and PE look like online?
These lessons will be designed by our teachers. Lessons will be shared once they are available.

How will grades work?
We will disconnect Schoology from Powerschool so assignments that check the progress of learning will not affect grades. Teachers will decide the best mode to record the learning of our students.

I’m a single working mother and afraid I won’t be able to handle home schooling. How will I get the support I need?
Part of the district’s plan will incorporate support and resources for parents.

How does this affect dual credit students?
Washburn University and Washburn Tech are working with teachers and providing resources so learning can continue.

Will parents be given lesson plans for continuous learning?
Teachers will continue to create lesson plans that may include partnering with parents. This will look different PreK-12.

What are the hardware/software requirements for continued online learning?
At the secondary level, there will be no additional requirements outside of the 1:1 learning. Students will continue to use their district provided MacBooks for continuous learning. Preschool and elementary students will need a computer and wifi. We will work with families when this is not available.

When should we expect to begin continuous learning at home?
Continuous learning is expected to begin March 30.

What should I be doing with my student right now, before continuous learning begins?
There are no expectations for academic activities before March 30. Our only suggestion would be to begin working on routines and schedule so students are ready to learn, beginning academic activities on March 30.

Will online tutorials from teachers be available?
Yes. Teachers and instructional coaches will be providing online tutorials.

Will a student fail due to lack of support at home?
No. If a student is having trouble with the new continuous learning plan, they will be identified and interventions will be put in place to support that student.

Will our students go to the next grade level?
We have met the academic standards for three fourths of the year and plan to continue those efforts for the remainder of the school year. If a student is on track for advancement, this should continue.

Will teachers be reporting to school buildings or working from home?
Teachers will have the option to work in their classrooms or work from home. There may be times when they feel one-on-one instruction could be beneficial. If this is the case, teachers will follow the CDC guidelines to maintain a healthy environment.

Will we have the same hours as a normal school day or will it be different with the Continuous Learning Plan?
Continuous learning will not follow the regular school day hours. Schedules, lessons, and tasks will be flexible to best meet the needs of our families.

Will 6th graders have a graduation ceremony?
At this time, we do not know.

Will preschool and kindergarten have online classes?
Preschool and kindergarten will follow the same continuous learning plan as other grades.

What about the families with a data limit on internet?
If internet and technology is a problem during continuous learning, please contact your teacher to work out alternative solutions.

What time will continuous learning begin?
Times will be flexible to meet the various needs of our households. Continuous learning will not be set up like a regular school day schedule.

Will Driver’s Ed still be offered?
Yes. Online registration will be available April 7.

When will continuous learning end?
The district will submit a waiver to keep our last day of school as May 20. We do not know how the 2020-2021 school year will begin at this point.

Will there be summer school?
We are hopeful that summer school will be available. If not in a traditional model, summer school can be delivered in a continuous learning format.

Will students be required to be online at a certain time for live learning?
There may be times when a class will meet online for live learning. These sessions will be recorded so they can be accessed if students are not available at that time.

What support is out there for dual working parent households or single parent households that still have to go to work?
Please contact your principal to find supports.

Will any plans be made for prom?
Not at this time. Our present focus is on our continuous learning plan and implementation and a future plan for Senior 2020 Graduation.

How will Seaman Middle School Viking Time look?
At this time, teachers will be focusing on critical standards so Viking Time will not be a priority.

Will there be an opportunity for students entering middle school or high school to get school tours or assistance?
At this time, all scheduled events with a group of 10 or more have been cancelled. We will continue to monitor the CDC guidelines as we keep the health and safety of our community a priority.

What should we do about our payment plan for the CEP classes?
Please call Washburn University for questions regarding WU payments.

How will they handle tryouts for cheer and auxiliary?
Please contact your sponsor and/or activities director for rescheduled events.

Are outdoor facilities (tracks, tennis courts, etc) allowed to be used if it follows social distancing?
All outside school facilities are also closed with the exception of the Orozco Fitness Trail, the SHS tennis courts, and the walking/running track at Seaman High School. Please follow the CDC guidelines of 10 or less and 6 feet apart. 

What if my child was in the middle of a special education evaluation period? Will that be postponed?
That will be a team decision that includes the parents. School personnel will be in contact with parents regarding the student’s evaluation process.

How will Advanced Placement (AP) classes continue?
Teachers are preparing lessons to continue the curriculum established by AP. AP is designing different tests for students to take online; they are also providing online resources to support stunders. This link will provide more information.

How will lab-focused classes continue?
Teachers will be developing plans within the Continuous Learning Plan to meet the critical standards in their classrooms.

If students and teachers meet in small groups, how are you ensuring the safety of those involved?
Staff will follow social distancing rules and the CDC recommendation of 10 people max including the adults. We will be meeting with the same group of kids each time (no mixing germs) with proper cleaning and disinfecting before and after class. Nurses will also be available as needed.

Will 6th graders still have band and orchestra?
Yes. Information will be coming from your music director.

Our family only has one laptop to share but multiple students. Can we borrow an additional device?
Right now, our main priority is making sure each household has at least one device. We’re asking USD 345 staff and secondary students to share devices with their family. After we have distributed USD 345 devices so that all of our families have one available, we will reevaluate additional needs. If device access becomes a barrier, please contact your teachers so they are aware of your circumstances. They will either be able to help alter the way content is delivered or put you in touch with our technology department for additional assistance.

Will April 24 still be a professional learning day?
No. April 24 will be a regular student instructional day.

How are you handling new students during this time?
We continue to enroll new students at the Seaman Education Center located at 901 NW Lyman Road, Topeka, 66608. You can also call us for more information at 785-575-8600. The Seaman Education Center is open daily between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday - Friday.

Once a student is enrolled, the student will be contacted by the student principal/counselors and by his/her teachers to begin continuous learning.

Can students use their laptops and apps to communicate with each other for reasons outside of class work?
Yes. Please keep the acceptable use agreement in mind.

Will required classes outside of the Kansas graduation requirements be waived?
Required classes specific to USD 345 (Success 101, Personal Finance, etc) will only be waived for the class of 2020. The USD 345 board will continue to have the authority to waive USD 345 requirements on a case-by-case basis according to board policy but all classes will continue to be taught according to the continued learning plan.

What happens if our internet goes down and we can’t access classroom materials?
Teachers will be flexible during continuous learning. If you are not able to contact a teacher via email, please call the school office during school hours and we will get you connected.

Will I need to find the materials needed to teach my kids at home?
No. Teachers will be sending out lessons and tasks based on the continuous learning plan.

Why are we having online school? Can’t we just cancel school?
No. The Kansas Department of Education is requiring districts to develop a continuous learning plan for their students.

Will preschool be a part of the continuous learning plan?
Yes.

We do not have the internet or a computer. How will we do continuous learning?
Our technology department will be providing devices to families with no computer in the household. Our goal is to have one device in each household. We are also looking at ways we can help families obtain the internet during this time.

Will the seniors last day still be May 13?
May 13 is the last day for seniors, with the extension to May 20 if additional time is needed for individual students who request an extension.

Will there still be summer camps?
At the time, 2020 summer camps have not been affected by the COVID-19 school building closure. We are hopeful that summer activities will continue.

What happens to Kindergarten Orientation?
April 16 Kindergarten Orientation hosted in schools will be cancelled due to public health concerns. Please contact your building to complete and return the forms needed for kindergarten enrollment.

If we just paid for Spring Running Club will we get a refund?
Please contact your running club sponsor to request a refund. 

If we bought a spring sports t-shirt will we get the shirts or a refund?
Please contact your coach to find details regarding apparel orders. 

My freshman has a school issued laptop. Can they share this laptop with their sibling in elementary school for continuous learning?
Yes. We would like all secondary students to share 1:1 devices with siblings to help the success of continuous learning. If device access become a barrier, please contact your child's teacher to communicate your circumstances. 

I need to order a replacement charge cord for my 1:1 device. How can I do that?
Please call the USD 345 Technology Department Help Desk on Monday-Friday between 7:00 am-4:00 pm at 785-286-8483.

Will you still allow out-of-district transfers next year? 
All out-of-district transfer applications will be considered based on the same criteria as years passed. Click here to view the out-of-district application. 


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