School Schedules

Frequently Asked Questions


What hours do students attend school during distance learning?

TK & K: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Grades 1-3: 8:30 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.
Grades 4-6: 8:30 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Grades 7 & 8: 9:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

What are the required number of live instructional minutes?
Under SB 98, there must be daily live interaction with teachers and peers for purposes of instruction, progress monitoring, and maintaining school connectedness. The number of live minutes may vary per grade level.

SB 98 defines the daily required instructional minutes at each grade level:

  • 3 hours per day for Kindergarten
  • 3 hours, 50 minutes for grades 1-3
  • 4 hours for grades 4-12

School schedules reflect the required instructional minutes.

For the duration of the content blocks, teachers will remain online and conduct instruction virtually including: whole group, small group, classwork, independent work, assignments, projects, assessments, and live interaction. Students may be asked to turn off video and/or audio capabilities during the learning block for short intervals, but teachers will remain online as they support small group instruction and to answer questions as needed" or something to that effect.


What if my child misses school due to illness or connectivity issues?
Teachers will provide lesson content to students who are unable to attend live instruction due to connectivity issues or excused absences.


What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning?
  • Synchronous Distance Learning: Live, real-time interaction, instruction, and check-ins between teachers and students through the use of a computer or communications technology.

  • Asynchronous Distance Learning: Recorded video or audio instruction in which the primary mode of communication between the student and certificated employee is online interaction, instructional television, video, telecourses, or other instruction that relies on a computer or communications technology and learning may be accessed by students at different times and a remote location.

Will students be on screen, all day?
Students will not be sitting in front of a screen during all instructional minutes.
A priority in designing the school schedules was to adhere to Senate Bill 98 while minimizing screen time as much as possible. Synchronous instruction will be live and interactive. Teachers will provide instruction, and students will collaborate. There will be time given for students to work independently and time for them to ask questions, and incorporate creativity and spontaneity into the day much as typically done during in-person instruction.

A priority in designing the school schedules was to minimize screen time as much as possible. For instance, during the school day, students may be writing, reading from textbooks, or working on a project with hands-on manipulatives.


Elementary: How do teachers divide their time?
The schedules displayed are examples of how the content blocks of time may be arranged by a teacher for each grade; however, the teacher has the flexibility to organize the content blocks and time for each content area covered. Therefore, more information will be provided by your child’s teacher regarding their classroom’s daily schedule.


Will there be additional homework?
There will not be an increase in homework time. In fact, homework is expected to be less during Distance Learning, as much of the time students will be spending between synchronous and asynchronous learning, and independent work will meet the required amount of time for instruction.


Middle School PE information:
All of our Physical Education classes are live instruction during the 80 minute class periods. The staff teaches fitness activities and works with students on building healthy exercise habits. There are a variety of focuses between SEL, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), goal setting, growth/improvement over time, physical and mental health, nutrition, and more.


What art and other enrichment activities are scheduled?
A variety of enrichment classes began in September. The district offers this schedule of art, dance, speech and debate, and speech and public speaking classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for all our students. Each school may offer additional enrichment classes for their students. Check your school's website and email communication for more information about school sponsored classes.


Why are Wednesdays mostly independent learning days?
On Wednesdays, all district teachers will engage in ongoing professional development in order to continuously improve their delivery of online instruction through distance learning. Teachers will take attendance during the check in at the beginning of the day, and then will hold small group instruction for a brief period after that time. Then students will be assigned work to complete independently during the course of the day.


Where can parents find resources to support their children, during Distance Learning?
Your student’s teacher will be a primary source of information for supporting your student’s instruction. Tips and help for parents to support Distance Learning will be posted on our website in the upcoming days. Information about the Student Homework Support Desk and Student Technology Support Desk will be available after Labor Day.

Please also refer to the Distance Learning Handbook, which is posted on each school’s website under the Distance Learning tab.

K. Smith School A 21st Century Learning Exemplar

  • 2025 Clarice Drive
  • |
  • San Jose, CA 95122
  • |
  • Phone: 408-270-6751
  • |
  • Fax: 408-270-6877
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