In Person Classes, with Temporary Remote Learning Option

After much prayer, data gathering, and discussion, the ECS Board and Staff have decided to offer in-person classes with a temporary online option for 1st-8th graders during the 2021-22 school year (Preschool-Kindergarten classes will meet in person only). While we believe that ECS’s full-day concurrent program has been far superior to other local options, concurrent learning has not been the equivalent of the at-school experience. Our primary focus is to give our students a phenomenal ECS experience on campus for 2021-2022.

While we will not have a permanent online program this year, there may be times when individuals need to utilize online learning temporarily due to long-term illnesses or COVID.  We are referring to these situations as the “Temporary Remote Learning Option” (TRLO).  Click on the “+” to the left of each option to read the details and differences of the TRLO for Elementary (TRLO-1) and Middle School (TRLO-2).

Elementary School Temporary Remote Learning Option (TRLO-1)

While we will not have a permanent online program in the 2021-22 school year, there may be times when individuals need to utilize online learning temporarily due to long-term illnesses or COVID.  We are referring to these situations as the “Temporary Remote Learning Option” (TRLO).

The Difference between Concurrent & Temporary Remote Learning Option (TRLO-1)

  1. TRLO-1 is an individual program, unlike our school-wide 2020-21 Concurrent program.  Each teacher or grade may do things a bit differently. Some teachers may use hard-copy packets and others may post things on Teams. Teams may be organized by grade or by class. Depending on your child’s age and circumstances, independent work may be all that is required.
  1. TRLO-1 covers only 1-2 hours of the core subject areas for a minimum of 3 school days and a maximum of 10 school days. Specialists and middle school elective instructors will not stream any of their classes. In order to provide challenging and appropriately paced lessons to the in-person students, the teachers may need TRLO-1 students to simply observe rather than interact with the teachers and classmates.
  1. When a request for TRLO-1 is made, that is considered Day 1. The student is not online on Day 2 as the teachers are preparing the material. TRLO-1 starts at 8:40 AM on Day 3. If a student gets sick and the parents request to use TRLO-1 on Sunday, the earliest the student can participate in TRLO-1 is Tuesday at 8:40 AM. Then, the student must be on TRLO-1 at least until Thursday 3 PM. In short, TRLO-1 should be used if the student will be absent for at least 3-5 days.
  1. TRLO-1 is NOT to be used for vacation. Vacationers may receive paper packets or work on OneNote without streaming. If quarantining is necessary after a vacation, TRLO-1 can be utilized at the start of quarantine (Refer to #3).

For questions and clarifications, please contact Mmigliore@ecswa.org and/or Hlee@ecswa.org.

Middle School Temporary Remote Learning Option (TRLO-2)

While we will not have a permanent online program next year, there may be times when individuals need to utilize online learning temporarily due to long-term illnesses or COVID.  We are referring to these situations as the “Temporary Remote Learning Option” (TRLO).

The Difference between Concurrent & Temporary Remote Learning Option (TRLO-2)

  1. TRLO-2 is an individual program, unlike our school-wide 2020-21 concurrent program.  Middle school core subject classes (English, History, Science, Math, and Bible) will be streamed during instructional time when the class is doing something the teacher considers vital for the students at home, such as introducing new concepts, conducting a science lab, or reviewing for an upcoming test. Otherwise, TRLO-2 students are expected to keep track of work via Teams/OneNote and ask questions for clarification.
  1. Students must participate in TRLO-2 for a minimum of 3 school days and a maximum of 10 school days. All TRLO-2 requests must be made by the PARENTS and approved by Mrs. G. at agay@ecswa.org.  In order to provide challenging and appropriately paced lessons to the in-person students, the teachers will need TRLO-2 students to simply observe rather than interact with the teachers and classmates.
  1. Unlike elementary, MS students can access TRLO-2 immediately upon request. Please keep in mind that the minimum amount of time that for TRLO is 3 days. If a Middle School student gets sick and the parents request to use TRLO-2 on Monday morning, that student can participate in TRLO-2 on Monday at 8:40 AM. Then, the student must be on TRLO-2 at least until Wednesday 3 PM. In short, TRLO-2 should be used if the student will be absent for at least 3-5 days.
  1. TRLO-2 is NOT to be used for vacation. Vacationers cannot stream but can access OneNote. If quarantining is necessary after a vacation, TRLO-2 can be utilized at the start of quarantine (Refer to #3).

For questions and clarifications, please contact Mmigliore@ecswa.org and/or Hlee@ecswa.org.

We pray that ECS can provide a safe, loving, and Christ-centered environment where your children can learn and grow in their faith. May they become a generation of thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders who will be beacons of light for God’s Kingdom here on earth.

We look forward to being with you on campus!

Christ be with you,

Mark Migliore, Principal

Frequently Asked Questions

The ECS staff and community worked diligently this past year to follow government, health, and school agency regulations, best practices, and programming recommendations that helped us create a safe educational environment.  God blessed our school community greatly, as we had no COVID breakouts or spread the entire school year, 2020-21!  We plan to continue to follow state and OSPI safety protocols, including

  • practicing physical distancing in the classrooms, hallways, and common areas
  • wearing face coverings as directed
  • limiting the movement of students around campus
  • keeping kids together in grade-level cohorts
  • providing desk/table shields
  • daily cleaning

Students will be asked to stay home if they exhibit any coughing, sneezing, or fever, and temperatures will be taken at the beginning of every school day.  Pre-purchased lunches will be delivered to the classroom door.  Students will also have their own desks and learning materials that will not be used by anyone else.

How do we keep kids physically distanced during recess? Our efforts will include staggering recess times and marking off areas of the playground for different groups to use on a rotating basis. This will limit student exposure to only those in their grade.

We believe that we’re taking every reasonable precaution to greatly lower the chance of transmission, and feel that the environment will continue to be safe enough to allow for a return to school in September, 2021.

Our state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is recommending that schools maintain a three-foot physical distance between students for the 2021-22 school year.  For many schools with large class sizes, the limitations of classroom space and staffing prevent them from having all their students in school at the same time. Because our classes are smaller, ECS is able to accommodate all our students and still maintain the recommended physical distance between classmates.

Your child will be able to come to school every day (full days, Monday-Friday). We believe the ideal learning model for preschool, elementary and middle school students is in-person in the classroom environment.  We have developed several safety protocols and processes to ensure that students and staff can maintain physical distancing while remaining with their grade-level cohorts throughout the day.

Our TRLO program model allows for seamless movement between the in-person classroom experience and the virtual experience at home.  If a classroom cohort or the entire school is forced to close for a time due to health concerns, students will be able to transition immediately to the virtual program and continue their learning remotely until we are able to return to school.

Students may still pre-purchase lunch through our school cafeteria “Lunch Ladies” program.  Purchased lunches will be delivered to the classroom door prior to the lunch period.  Students may also choose to bring their own lunch from home.  Students in our K-5 grades will eat lunch at their classroom desk with a desktop shield in place while masks are removed during eating.

We also plan to offer the option to eat outside (weather permitting), with physical distancing measures, so our kids can receive the health benefits of eating outdoors.

No family members will be allowed beyond entry checkpoint stations for Drop-Off. Preschool parents are the exception; they will walk their children to the outside doors of their children’s classrooms. For after school Pick-Up, parents will go to the assigned areas on campus near their children’s classrooms, and students will be sent out to meet them.

At this time, most volunteer opportunities will be off campus. Teachers may request in-person volunteer support from one parent at a time, or virtual parent assistance that can be completed off campus.  Teachers will communicate those requests via email or the school newsletter.  We will reevaluate the options for volunteers each trimester of the 2021-22 school year and share updates as we have them.

We are using the successful safety protocols we followed last year.  Please see our “Safe Return to School Plan” for protocols for the 2021-22 year.  Topics covered in these documents includes the following:

-Traffic patterns, check-in locations, and classroom entry points
-Daily health screenings
-Face coverings, desk shields and dividers
-Physical distancing protocols
-Cleaning protocols
-Recess and outdoor activities
-After School Care, activities, and sports
-Large group gatherings, assemblies, Chapel
-Procedures to follow in the case of a positive COVID-19 test result

We plan to offer after-school care and a modified athletics program in 2021-22. Parents must register for these programs in advance. Drop-in care will not be available.  More details will be shared with families who are enrolled via email or newsletter.

To aid in air flow, classroom windows will be opened as much as possible throughout the day. Weather permitting some lessons and classes may be held outside as well. Students are encouraged to always bring a jacket to allow for open windows and possible class outside.  HVAC systems will be serviced regularly and filters will be changed regularly.

We do not have any assurances, and Eastside Christian School will follow all mandates put forth by the Governor concerning on-campus learning.

Family Resources

School Safety Plan
New Student Inquiry
Contact us with questions, concerns, or comments

We absolutely applaud you for making the in-person program a success. It has had such a positive impact on our daughter who, much like many kids I am sure, needs social interaction. The contrast between last spring and this fall has been so dramatic. The positive impact of the in-person social interaction has been transformational, helping her regain the spring in her step. Technology is a wonderful tool, but it isn’t a substitute for some of the organic benefits of face-to-face interaction. THANK YOU!

~ ECS Parent, November, 2020

“We want to again compliment your staff for all they’ve done this year to pivot and quickly build a virtual school.  Hats off to the entire staff for working so diligently to maintain community and high levels of learning.  As parents working from home, we see the communication we need and have a teacher of the highest quality, as evidenced in her relationships with students (lots of love notes and gentle pushing to excellence) and in academics.”

~ ECS Parent, April, 2020

“I have been so happy and appreciative of the online school instruction my son has received from ECS. The conversion to online classes was seamless, the work load is manageable, the students are kept busy, and their assignments are corrected quickly. The teachers have also been AMAZING! They are readily available to answer questions, teach classes and encourage the kids. Their communication to the students and their teaching have been first class.”

~ ECS Parent, April, 2020