academics

With the COVID-19 outbreak, LHS utilized a task force of teachers, coaches, and administrators to develop and evaluate options to maximize our commitment to Academic Excellence and Christian Service in the 2020 – 2021 school year. The task force utilized input from parents, students, and teachers, along with guidelines provided by governmental, educational, and health care experts to develop our Continuity of Learning Plan for the 2020 – 2021 school year. This plan was implemented when classes returned on Thursday, August 13, 2020.

The Continuity of Learning Plan provides your children, our students, with an emphasis on safety and the best educational experience in these circumstances. The plan is based on the following assumptions:

• Face-to-face school is the best mode of education for students
• Social distancing , hand washing/sanitizing, and face coverings help reduce disease transmission
• It is impossible to eliminate risk, we will however reduce risk
• Some individuals will be uncomfortable returning to group settings at this time

The plan was built to provide flexibility and inclusiveness, with the ultimate goal to minimize the impact of possible disruptions if situations change at any point in the year. To address this possibility, LHS is prepared for 3 possible modes of instruction which will allow us to move seamlessly to another education format if necessary:

1. In-Person . . . students on campus with modifications to the schedule and daily routine.
2. Hybrid . . . half of the students on campus, and half attending remotely on alternating days.
3. On-line . . . all students utilizing remote instruction at home.

Families that are uncomfortable sending their child to school have the option to sign a “Commitment to On-line Learning” form. These students are to remain at home using On-Line (#3 above) for the duration of the quarter for which this option is chosen. Please note, selecting On-line learning when In-Person or Hybrid are available will result in the student not being eligible to participate in any extra-curricular activities in that quarter.

Contingency planning requires that students, parents, teachers, and administrators be prepared to quickly transition to a different mode if campus, community , state or national circumstances warrant a change. LHS will evaluate the effectiveness of the plan every 9 weeks (each quarter), to assure proper balance of safety and educational experience is maintained.

In addition to the three possible modes of instruction, LHS implemented new practices and procedures to improve the safety of the school environment. Some of these modifications come at the cost of perceived comfort and convenience; however, the cooperation of ALL students, parents, and teachers, allows LHS to function and serve with the highest level of quality and care in these uncertain times. These practice and procedure modifications include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. All faculty, staff, students, and visitors are required to wear a mask/face covering at all times when inside the building.
2. On campus students, faculty, and staff are screened daily prior to Block 1
3. Building cleaning and disinfecting practices have been expanded and enhanced
4. Parents and students are required to sign a “Commitment to Health” document

Lutheran High School is committed to providing an innovative learning environment that will equip and empower students for college and lifelong learning. Two key components of academics at Lutheran High include the 4×4 Block Schedule and the use of iPad technology.