Coweta Schools System’s Empower Online Option Reopens Registration

From Coweta County Schools Press Release

First semester enrollment for the Coweta County School System’s Empower Online Program has been reopened from July 31 through August 7.

Parents who wish to register for the online instruction option for the entirety of the first semester can visit the school system’s Empower website here to learn more and to register for the option.

Click the following link to see the Coweta County School System’s ‘Empower’ Online Option: http://online.cowetaschools.net/.

Empower is an online virtual learning environment for Kindergarten through twelfth grade Coweta County students.  Following a July 30 decision by the Board of Education, all Coweta students will start the school year online because of significantly rising local transmission rates of COVID-19 throughout July.  This daily teacher-led instruction will be delivered through Coweta County’s Empower platform, until community health conditions permit schools to reopen for face-to-face instruction for students.

Parents who intend for their child to return to face-to-face instruction, when available, do not need to sign up to receive start-of-year online instruction.  Schools will communicate with parents about the August 13 start of school, online instruction, Chromebook distribution, and other matters during pre-planning, August 3-12.

However, when schools do return to face-to-face instruction (possibly as early as September 8), Coweta Schools will continue to provide both in-person and online options for parents for the 2020-21 school year.  The Empower platform will continue to serve as an alternative to face-to-face instruction in Coweta’s schools at that time.

Those parents who believe they will most likely prefer for their student to remain in online learning, even after students can return to face-to-face instruction, should register for Empower.

The school system is asking parents to commit to a full semester (through December 18) of online instruction if they register for this option.  The school system intends to continue Empower into the second semester of 2020-21, and will provide all parents an opportunity to register for the second semester later this fall.

Students in the virtual option will remain enrolled in their base school.  Students will remain eligible for school extracurricular activities, and can sign up for school announcements and activities.

Course assignments for high school students in the Empower program will be based on their course selections that were previously chosen last year.  Students enrolled in the online option will also have access to school counselors who will continue to provide personalized support services.

In the online format, time and location constraints are lifted for students, but assignment requirements are clearly communicated and monitored to support maximum academic success for each child. Some virtual classes will require virtual meetings with the expectations that students will be online and participate in classroom discussions and live lessons.  Live lessons will be recorded and accessible for students.

Online material will be managed by Coweta teachers dedicated to the Empower program.  Core curriculum and enrichment materials will be offered to provide a full school experience for participating students.  The curriculum offered includes grade-specific Kindergarten through 12th grade courses, even allowing students to complete high school courses online in order to meet graduation requirements.

Parents can find the elementary, middle and high school curriculums on the Empower website Coweta’s online program will follow the Coweta County School System calendar, but will have a staggered start date. Official start dates will be communicated near the beginning of each semester to the students taking virtual courses. Opportunities for online orientation will also be communicated to registrants near the beginning of the school year on August 13.

Even if a student enrolls in the full-time virtual option, the student will still have full access to their base school’s facilities, activities and extracurriculars. To participate, students must meet all requirements set forth by each respective program. If a student is interested in extra-curricular activities, it will be important for the student and parents to sign up for base school announcements and check websites to know the timelines of the opportunities.

Students who enroll in the online option must enroll for a semester. At the end of the semester, students who have had success will be given an opportunity to continue with the online program. Students will also be given an opportunity to return to the school system’s in-person program.

To learn more about the Empower program please visit the website at http://online.cowetaschools.net/