K-6 FAQ

Can I print some assignments and complete them pencil/paper method?

Many parents of younger students especially want to provide practice with fine motor skills using a pencil. Other students just prefer to print and write out their responses.  Students are welcome to print or recreate the document on a blank paper.  The paper can then be scanned or a photo taken and uploaded to the assignment in Canvas.

My child is too young to keyboard. What options do we have?  

Parents are welcome to do the typing for a child of any age.  Students can also utilize digital tools like speech to text. Many assignments also allow for a video or audio file to be submitted instead of a typed response.  

How will I access my courses? 

Your courses will all be visible on Canvas the same way they were last school year or for any Canvas user. They might still show up as a “Future Course” and won’t be available until the first day of school. https://www.davis.k12.ut.us/other/canvas-login 

How do I contact my teacher if I need help with something? 

You can see a teacher assigned to you and/or each of your classes on myDSD. You will see a “contact teacher” link to email them; however, we would encourage students to communicate with their teachers through the Canvas Inbox. 

What elective options are available for students in grades K-6?

The purpose of our electives is to provide enrichment, socialization and fun for our students. A variety of choices will be available, such as PE, music, art, coding, Minecraft, story time, etc.  We will also have options for "extra work time" for students who need additional time each day to complete core subjects.  Another option will be "personal choice".  Students can use this option if they take swimming, gymnastics, piano lessons during the week for example.  The amount of time required for electives will be minimal as compared to core subjects.

My student is in an immersion program.  How can they practice their language skills?

Students in a district DLI program will have the option to participate in a conversational/expressive language elective provided by a district immersion teacher in their spoken language. This will be provided after school hours (likely @ 3:30 PM) when the DLI teachers are free to meet with our online students.  The amount of time per day/week will vary by grade level, but students will be able to practice speaking with others in a virtual setting.

What is a typical day like?

A typical day for the Davis Connect Online Classroom will have the students doing the core classes in the morning.  There is flexibility to work on the assignments any time of day or night, but the live teacher sessions will mostly be done during the morning hours. Students can join the live sessions or watch the recordings on demand.  All students can choose to add electives to their schedule.  Even though  estimated seat time is provided below, please know that we don’t measure success by hours on a computer.  We look at the work students are submitting on the assignments and assessments to monitor progress. 

How much time should I expect it take to complete course work for the day in the online classroom?

The average amount of time is 3-4 hours depending on grade level for core subjects.  More time for 6th and less time for 1st.   Kindergarten students can expect to spend about 1.5 hours.  Elective courses will vary, but will not add an excessive amount of time. 

How flexible is the online classroom?  Do we have to join the scheduled chats?

Scheduled live chats are strongly recommended, but not required.  Our program is designed for flexibility.  We understand family schedules can vary day to day.  Our lessons are designed to meet those needs. 

What device is best?  

Any device should work and if it has a touch screen, even better.  A device with a camera and microphone will provide the best experience in our virtual chat sessions. Some students prefer to work on an iPad, others like a computer with a keyboard. Preferences are as varied as the students who use them. Decent internet speed is definitely helpful. 

Just a reminder that all district students can download the Microsoft Office products for free with their district email account.

Can we check out a device from the district?

Yes, if families don't have a device at home, you can check one out from Davis District. 

Can I use my own home computer, or do I have to check out a district device? 

You can use your own device. If you do not check out a DSD device, you do not have to pay the computer equipment fee. Device protection insurance information will be sent out soon. 

What do I do if I missed the date of device checkouts at my local school? 

You can call the main office at your local school and find out the process to check out a device after the assigned date. 

How much support will parents need to provide?

We expect parent help as needed and desired.  Younger students will need much more support in accessing resources, submitting assignments, attending live chat sessions, etc.  Parents can jump in and do the instructing as much or as little as they want. A balance of teacher instruction and parent support is definitely needed.

I am a parent who really wants to be involved with the school. How can I volunteer? 
We would love to have your help! Please contact your child’s teacher(s) to see if there are ways to help in the online classrooms. If you are willing, we’d LOVE to have you volunteer for our NEW Davis Connect PTSA (see the attached flier for more information).  

My student has resource services.  How are those accommodations met?

Students who have services with a resource teacher and spend the majority of the day in a general ed setting will have accommodations provided by our online SPED teacher. A schedule will be set up with the student and SPED teacher to provide the needed support and progress toward IEP goals. Parents will meet with the local SPED team and our online teacher to set up the schedule of services. 

What if my student has speech, OT, or PT?

These students will receive services from their boundary school SPED therapist.  The school will work with each family individually to determine if they are willing to come in person for services or need them to be virtual. 

What if my child is in a SPED program all day long?

Students in all day district programs like Essential Elements (EE), Academic Social Communication (ASC), Social Behavioral (SB) and Behavior Communication Intensive Support (BCIS) programs should contact the principal of your child’s assigned school.  The principal has been informed of the possible options for providing services and meeting the accommodations on the IEP.  The team will meet with you and together you can determine the best option for your child. 

Because of the unique health situation created by Covid-19, Davis District wants to make the transition between local schools and online as simple as possible. 

Students are asked to remain enrolled at their chosen location for a term at a time.  Students can return to their boundary school beginning with each new term.  Students in a DLI or PAL/Spectrum classroom will be able to return to that program.

If you know now that you want to enroll with Davis Connect in Term 3 example, it is suggested you enroll before August 1st.  On the enrollment form, you can choose the specific term for which you intend to enroll. 

When will my schedule be released? Will it be on myDSD? 

Your schedule will be released on Friday, August 20.  You can access it by logging into myDSD at https://mydsd.davis.k12.ut.us . If you missed our registration deadline last week, there may be a chance you will see only the standard classes. We will be reviewing course requests all week and adjusting electives. 

If there is a mistake on my schedule, what do I do? 

We will be sending out an email with information about scheduling an appointment online with a counselor. When we call you at the appointed time, we can fix anything on core classes and make sure we have a course request form on file if your electives weren’t returned in time for schedules. 

I was just recently enrolled with Davis Connect. How do I set up my classes and a schedule? 

We will build a schedule based on the standard core classes taken in your grade. Please go to our Registration page, review our Course Listing, and fill out a Course Request Planning Sheet for the electives you would like to take. Scan or take a picture of your Course Request Planning Sheet and email it to your Davis Connect Counselor. Link with all instructions can be found at: https://davisconnect7-12.davis.k12.ut.us/school-information/counseling-center/course-registration 

1. Why do we still have school fees if we’re online? 

Secondary fees are required and help provide course content, access to Canvas, cover electronic device usage, and will help pay for adults who support the extracurricular activities of online clubs and eSports.  

 2. How do I fix the fees if I paid them to a different school?

You will need to call the school you paid first and ask them to credit your account. Then, call our office 801.402.5266 to have the credit applied to your Davis Connect fees. 

If I am choosing to do the Independent Study Software Option (grades K-8 only, where the parent is the learning coach), what is my next step? 

You will be receiving an orientation letter shortly. If you did not choose this option, but would like to, please contact us before the start of school.