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Short Term Independent Study Procedures » STIS - Short Term Independent Study Procedures

STIS - Short Term Independent Study Procedures

If you know your child will be absent from school for several days or is home sick but still able to complete some coursework, you may sign up for  Short-Term Independent Study (STIS).  Short-Term Independent Study may not exceed 15 days in a school year.  All terms of the independent study must be completed in order for the student to receive academic and attendance credit for Independent Study.
 
Independent Study is not meant to be used as a replacement for in-person instruction. In-person instruction is the most effective and impactful mode of learning for all students.
  • Short Term Independent Study (STIS) is available to students with an absence lasting between 1-15 days. Even 1 day of STIS is beneficial to the pupil and the school.
  • Students are expected to complete the assigned work during the duration of their STIS.  This is not make-up work but work in lieu of being in class.
  • All short-term independent study terms will be asynchronous.  This means there will be no Zoom live stream or synchronous instruction throughout the duration of the STIS.
  • Students are encouraged to reach out directly to their teachers or attend virtual office hours should additional guidance on assignments be needed. 
  • Please note that students will be marked as absent for attendance purposes for the duration of the STIS, and upon their return and completion of assignments, their attendance will be rectified and marked PRESENT. 
 
 
If an STIS contract is signed and students have completed all of the work assigned for that day, the school will receive pupil funding for that school day.
WISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - GRADES TK - 5
 
WISH students in grades TK - 5 who sign up for independent study will receive a grade-level packet of worksheets that they will be expected to complete while they are out of school.  Students are also expected to meet their online learning as appropriate for their grade level (Raz Kids, I-Ready, etc.).
 
PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING AND COMPLETING INDEPENDENT STUDY:
  • Complete the STIS Request Form by clicking this link.
  • The ES office staff will respond with a letter and work packet and follow up with a contract within 48 hours.
  • The contract MUST be signed in order for the STIS to be considered valid.
  • Upon the student's return to school, the hard copy of the STIS packet must be turned in to the student's general education teacher.
  • The general education teacher will review the packet and determine if Independent Study credit will be granted.
  • Once the work has been approved by the general education teacher, and signed off by the Assistant Principal, the office will change the attendance markings from ISP to ISC (Independent Study Complete).  
  • If the work has not been approved, the office will change the attendance marking from ISP to Absent.
  • Reminder, if the contract has not been signed, or the original work has not been turned in, independent study credit will not be granted.
  • WISH will keep both the packet and contract on file in the main office.
 
For any additional questions or clarification on Independent Study, please reach out to your child's general education teacher or to Jennifer Hellman in the main office. 
 
 
WISH MIDDLE SCHOOL - GRADES 6 - 8 & WISH ACADEMY - GRADES 9 - 12
 
WISH students in grades 6 - 12 who sign up for independent study will be expected to complete all assigned work from each of their courses via their CANVAS platform each day they are away from school. Students are also expected to meet their online learning as appropriate for their grade level (I-Ready, NWEA, Read 180, ALEKS etc.).
 
PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING AND COMPLETING INDEPENDENT STUDY:
  • Complete the STIS Request Form by clicking this link.
  • The MS/HS office staff will respond with a letter confirming the receipt of your request, and follow up with a contract within 48 hours. 
  • The contract MUST be signed for the STIS to be considered valid.
  • The MS/HS office manager will inform all teachers of your child's upcoming independent study but iIf the period of the independent study will extend over several days, WISH Students in grades 6 - 8 should meet with each of their teachers briefly in advance during office hours to ensure that they have the materials they will need.
  • Students are expected to complete the work while on Independent Study.  If they need additional support completing their assignments they should email their teachers and arrange to meet them virtually during office hours.
  • Upon the student's return to school, the Assistant Principal (Ms. Posey for Middle School and Ms. Zendejas for High School) will review Canvas and I-Ready/NWEA/Read 180/ALEKS to determine if Independent Study credit will be granted.
  • Once the work has been approved by and signed off by the Assistant Principal, the office will change the attendance markings from ISP to ISC. 
  • If the Independent Study has not been approved, the office will change the attendance marking will be changed from ISP to Absent.
  • The Assistant Principals are responsible for determining attendance for the Independent Study.
  • Reminder, if the contract has not been signed, independent study credit will not be granted.
 
For any additional questions or clarification on Independent Study, please reach out to the WISH Middle & Academy main office.