Monday message 06.07.2021

2021-2022 School Year: Return to Full-Day In-Person Instruction

Dear iLEAD Lancaster families,

We are so excited to announce that for the 2021-22 school year we plan to return to school full day, in-person, five days per week, taking us back to our regular instructional day prior to the COVID pandemic. LADPH is advising school leaders that the implementation of the Big 5 (masking, social distancing, regular hand washing, limiting social groups and staying home if ill/symptomatic) will be in place for August. Please remember that August is still three months away and things can still change. We are optimistic that these restrictions will only lessen, and we will be prepared to adapt as allowed.

In addition, the special criteria for schools that was allowed under SB98 this school year is ending June 30, 2021. This means that shortened school days, all virtual-only learning, and hybrid schedules will not be offered in the new school year. Schools must resume the learning program that mirrors the pre-COVID-shutdown models on campus, five days per week, with regular instructional minutes. Although some schools are planning to offer an independent study program to families in lieu of returning to school full time in person, unfortunately, due to education code, charter schools are capped at offering only 20% of their school population this option. As you may know, our school already offers an independent study program, Exploration, which already accounts for our 20% allowed. Our lottery was held in March for this program, and it is currently at full capacity with a long wait list. Therefore, we do not have any available spaces to offer in iLEAD Lancaster’s independent study program at this time, but if you are interested in an independent study program, please contact us to be placed on our wait list.

We hope you are just as excited as we are to return to full-day in-person instruction. If you would like any more information regarding other options within the iLEAD network, please email options@ileadschools.org for more information.

With gratitude,

Nykole Kent
School Director