Global Ambassadors Language Academy Return to School 2020-2021 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

*GALA will continue to update answers to these questions as we have more information.  Additionally, as we receive more frequent questions, we will also add those questions and answers to this FAQ.

1. 1. Is learning in an All Remote and Hybrid option a permanent change?  No. GALA will rely on the Ohio’s Public Health Advisory System (OPHAS) color-coded system in making school‐wide decisions and recommendations from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health for evaluating and determining Return to School learning options for students. GALA’s Return to School Plan has been revised as follows:
      1. 1. OPHAS Level 1 (Yellow) – Active Exposure and spread. – Along with a recommendation from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health that supports in-person school, GALA will provide two learning options: Hybrid and All Remote; while adhering to public health sanitation and social distancing measures as outlined in Ohio’s School Reopening Guidance.
         2. OPHAS Level 2 (Orange) – Increased exposure and spread. Exercise high degree of caution. – Along with a recommendation from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health that supports in-person school, GALA will provide two learning options: Hybrid and All Remote; while adhering to public health sanitation and social distancing measures as outlined in Ohio’s School Reopening Guidance.
         3. OPHAS Level 3 (Red) – Very high exposure and spread. Limit activities as much as possible. – GALA will provide an All Remote learning option for all students, with no in‐person instruction provided during this period of time.
         4. OPHAS Level 4 (Purple) – Severe exposure and spread. Only leave home for supplies and services. – GALA will provide an All Remote learning option for all students, with no in‐person instruction provided during this period of time.
2. In the All Remote and Hybrid options, will the students still be successful in learning their target language?  We are committed to do the best we can to honor GALA’s immersion model and meet students’ needs. We recognize that this school year will be challenging and different for everyone. GALA plans to utilize curriculum and tools that can best serve students in both the All Remote and Hybrid options.
3. Will my child have Art and Physical Education in the building for the Hybrid option?  Or will Art and Physical Education be delivered All Remote?  Further details on class schedules and method of delivery will be confirmed closer to the start of the school year.
4. For the Hybrid option, how many students will be in a classroom? No more than 14 students.
5. For the Hybrid option, what will the hours be on the days students are in the school building?  Approximately 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Final times are still being confirmed. Arrival and dismissal will be on a staggered schedule. It may be possible to extend the day from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with aftercare.  However, the ability to provide aftercare is still not yet confirmed. Even if aftercare is an option, it will only be available to a limited number of students (approximately 9 students per classroom).
6. For the Hybrid option, will there be before and after care provided at the school?  Before care will not be available.  After care may be available, see response to Question #4.
7. For the Hybrid option, what will the in-person classroom will look like?  Each classroom will not have more than 14 students.  Students will not transition from their classroom and will only see 1 teacher each day. Further details on the daily schedule will be confirmed closer to the start of the school year.  Further information is provided in GALA’s Safety, Sanitization, and Closure Procedures.  
8. For the Hybrid option, how will students eat breakfast and lunch?  GALA is still finalizing details for this. It is likely that students will have all activities in one classroom. This means that breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be in the classroom. Further information is provided in GALA’s Safety, Sanitization, and Closure Procedures.
9. Will my child be able to access school breakfast and lunch if they are in the All Remote option?  What if my child is in the Hybrid option, will breakfast and lunch be provided on days that learning is not in the building?  School provided breakfast and lunch will be distributed only on days that learning is in the building, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  However, the breakfast and lunch will be “grab and go” meals, so families that wish to pick up food for All Remote students will be able to do so at designated times.  Further details on pickup times will be confirmed closer to the start of the school year. Additionally, families registered in either the All Remote or Hybrid option will be able to “grab” more meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students to eat on days the school building is closed (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays).
10. For the Hybrid option, is dress code (uniforms) still required for the two days of school in the building?  Yes, students are expected to be in dress code (uniform) when they are at school in the building.  See dress code here: https://galacleveland.org/dresscode/ 
11. Will printed copies of schoolwork and homework be available?  In the Hybrid option, printed materials will be available.  It is our goal to also make printed materials available for the All Remote option, but this has not yet been confirmed. Further details will be confirmed closer to the start of the school year
12. In the Hybrid option, will the students have their own supplies instead of sharing crayons, scissors, markers, etc?  Supplies will not be shared. Students will use their own individual items. Further information will be shared closer to the start of the school year.
13. Is there any support to students that do not have access to wifi internet at home?  Yes, wifi hotspots can be made available for students in need.
14. Must students use a chromebook for online learning? Or can it be any kind of computer?  Students can use computers that are not chromebooks.  However, the computer needs to have a camera, keyboard, and microphone (tablets are not ideal).  Additionally, virtual learning works best with google chrome (not Safari or Microsoft Edge). Chromebooks are available to borrow.
15. For the All Remote and Hybrid option, what time in the day will there be virtual live sessions for instruction?  Class schedules will be confirmed closer to the start of the school year.
16. For the All Remote option, will classes be live or pre-recorded?  The All Remote option will have a combination of live and pre-recorded lessons. Additionally, activities, projects, and assignments will be provided to be completed online through various sites/programs and by submitting/sharing paper hard copy materials virtually.
17. For the All Remote option, how many classes will be required a day? And what will be the required log on time?  At least two live lessons per day will be required on virtual days. Class schedules will be confirmed closer to the start of the school year.
18. Will attendance to live sessions be required?  Is it okay if my child does not attend a live session, but still completes the assignments?  It will be the expectation that all students participate in all classes and assignments. Further details will be provided closer to the start of the school year.
19. When will the assignments be due (i.e, daily before the end of day, or with a due date)?  Further details will be provided closer to the start of the school year.
20. If the circumstances of COVID-19 improve, we may want to change our student registration from All Remote to Hybrid. Will we be able to change our student registration?  For consistency in scheduling, students will be required to remain in the learning option they are registered for (All Remote or Hybrid) through the end of December 2020. There may be an opportunity to change your registration in December for the second half of the school year, which begins in January 2020.  See response for Question #1 for additional information.