- Griffin Middle
- FAQ's
Digital Academy FAQ's
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What is the difference between my school’s Digital Academy and Leon County Virtual School?
The digital academy is a distance learning program offered by your child’s home zoned school that allows your child to remain connected to his/her zoned school.
Leon County Virtual School is an independent Leon County school that is staffed by Leon County Schools highly qualified teachers and staff.
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How do I elect, [or enroll] my student in the Digital Academy at my zoned or assigned school?
How to Select your 2020-2021 Educational Commitment Option
On-line FOCUS Educational Commitment Form:
1. Step One -
Login to your FOCUS portal using a web browser (Google Chrome preferred) OR the survey can be completed on the LCS FOCUS App.Important Note - All functions related to Parent Portal accts can be handled with this link - Parent Portal Account instructions
- If you do NOT already have a Focus portal account, you will need to register for a Focus Portal account. In order to be able to create an acct and attach your child, you must be listed as a Parent or Guardian with custody rights and your name must be entered EXACTLY as it is on file. If you get an error saying "no matching contact", please contact your child's school to verify your contact info on file is accurate.
- If you forgot your password, DO NOT create another account as it will cause significant problems, reset your password using the link above
- If you have an existing account but need to ADD another child to your existing acct, add an additional child using the link above
2. Step Two -
Once logged in you will be presented with Pending Forms for each of your children – all forms MUST be completed before you will be able to view anything else in the portal.
This is a screen shot of a parent with 3 students.3. Step Three -
Click on the green In progress button to access the form – Complete BOTH questions and then press Submit and Finish.4. Step Four -
Repeat completing the form for each additional child. -
Can a student attend some courses in person and some through the Digital Academy?
No. The Digital Academy serves the purpose of providing an alternative to the traditional face-to-face setting of the school day due to concerns about Covid-19. For this reason, students should spend the school-day hours in the Digital Academy off of the school campus.
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Can a student move from Face to Face to the Digital Academy?
Yes. While the agreement made by families asks for a one-semester commitment to a schooling option, the district recognizes that certain situations may arise which would require students to move from a face-to-face setting to a digital academy setting. Within reason these requests will be accommodated. Due to varying concerns over safety and staffing, returns to a face-to-face option from the digital academy will not be possible.
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What will the day look like for students in the Digital Academy?
- Participating in courses through Canvas from home
- Receiving both synchronous and asynchronous instruction
- Receiving whole-group, small-group, and individualized instruction
- Receiving necessary accommodations and supports
- Engaging for developmentally-appropriate lengths of time
- Communicating regularly with peers and the teacher
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May I elect a Digital Academy at a school that my student does not currently attend, or is enrolled at?
No, the student will remain at their zoned digital academy.
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If I choose to enroll my student in the Digital Academy, how will I know how to support them?
The Academic Services team is working on content to assist you in knowing how online options will look and how to provide academic assistance to your child. These supports will be available online in the 1:1 Initiative home page as “Teacher Resources.”
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What are the electives for the Digital Academy?
The electives differ per age group K-5, 6-8, 9-12. Please check your school sites digital academy page for the list of electives.
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If my student is enrolled in the Digital Academy, can they also participate in extracurricular activities at the school?
Yes. If your student is enrolled in the Digital Academy, students who choose to participate in the Digital Academy may still participate in the after-school sports and activities available at their school site..
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How will attendance be taken?
Attendance will be taken daily in FOCUS.
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Who takes Chromebooks home?
All students will have the opportunity to take their Chromebook home at prescheduled times through out the school year based on their school site.
Secondary students will have the choice to take their Chromebook home as determined by the student.
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Will my student be able to receive virtual tutoring?
Weekly live instruction and scheduled one:one instruction appointments will be offered in the digital academy
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I have an elementary student. Will my student still have special area courses?
Yes, the student will have Art and PE
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If my student is enrolled or will be enrolled at a school through School Choice, will my student still be able to elect the Digital Academy?
Yes, the student can enroll in the digital academy of the approved school choice school.
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My student receives ESE accommodations, or is enrolled in ESE Specific Courses. How will that work within the structure of the Digital Academy?
▪ For students attending remotely, ESE Specific Courses such as Access, Learning Strategies or Unique Skills will be embedded in Canvas.
▪ IEP and other group meetings with parents will be held face-to-face following CDC and district safety guidelines, remotely through MS Teams or with a combination of participants face-to-face or participating remotely.
▪ Individual Student Evaluations will be completed following CDC and district safety guidelines one-on-one with the evaluator.
▪ Related services such as Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, Assistive Technology, Vision, Hearing, Adaptive PE, Supplementary Academics, and Behavioral supports will be provided on campus or using remote learning set up for access through the Canvas platform.
▪ A variety of service models will be implemented that are sensitive to the students’ home situation and meet the individual needs as outlined in Individual Education Plans (IEP).