Traditional Learning

This model represents a return to the school campus and the classroom where students will interact directly with their teacher(s) and classmates. The school day will follow the standard bell times and standard schedule that includes all the core classes and other subject areas. In short, it represents a return to the traditional school environment – with several changes involving enhanced health and safety precautions.

Our goal is to create an environment that provides an opportunity for students to return to the traditional school experience, while providing safeguards to protect the health and safety of students and staff.

Health Actions on Every Campus

• Practice safe social distancing to the greatest extent possible
• Post signage and provide lessons to strongly encourage frequent hand washing and hygiene practices
• Ensure hand sanitizer is available throughout the campus
• Increased cleaning protocols throughout each campus
• Limit group gatherings where possible
• Voluntary Mask wearing on campus
• All staff and students complete the symptom screening prior to coming to school
• Adhere to the Protocol for an Individual Exhibiting Symptoms

School Bus Safety

• Voluntary Masking on the bus
• Ensure hand sanitizer is available on each bus
• Disinfect buses before and after each route

Extra-curricular activities will resume and will adhere to recommendations from SDHSAA, ESD/Metro Conferences, and the Brandon Valley School District Administration

Distance Learning

This full-time learning experience is designed for families who don’t yet feel comfortable sending their student(s) back to school on-site. In this learning model, students will independently work on assignments and maintain contact with their teacher using web-based platforms and tools, email, and phone calls.

We will offer courses for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Enrollment requires a semester-long or year-long commitment, as well as an adult who can partner with the Distance Learning teacher by serving as the learning guide for the student, especially at the elementary and intermediate levels.

Students enrolled in the Distance Learning model must participate in all required state assessments

Students in grades JK-4 will access their distance learning plans through our distance learning website and will submit their assignments to their teacher electronically.

Grade 5-12 students will be issued laptops and will participate in accredited online courses through South Dakota Virtual School providers.

Middle and high school students will have access to academic advisement and college planning. Graduates earn a standard high school diploma accepted by colleges, universities, and other postsecondary programs.

*South Dakota Virtual School courses and curriculum are built using an instructional model grounded in research and are aligned to state standards. This online curriculum combines direct-instruction videos featuring expert, on-screen teachers with rigorous assignments, performance tasks, and assessments to engage students and ensure subject-area mastery