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P.E.A.R.L.

Partnership for Excellence in Alternative Remote Learning

Where to Start

Getting Started with Pearl

PEARL is a public school serving students across Washington State and operates under Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) requirements. Families lead daily learning at home, with guidance and support from a certificated PEARL teacher. Explore the drop down menus below for topics to consider as you begin your PEARL journey.

  • Each family will have one PEARL teacher who will reach out before your first day of school. Your teacher is your main point of contact and will support you throughout the year.  

    • Seesaw is used for submitting student work on a weekly basis
    • Teachers send a weekly email outlining student contact for the week and sharing important announcements
    • Reach out anytime with questions or for support

  • The Student Learning Plan (SLP) guides your student’s learning for the year and is created in collaboration with your teacher. It outlines curriculum choices and a general timeline for learning.

    • Created with your teacher
    • Includes curriculum and monthly pacing
    • Managed and updated throughout the year
    • Once the SLP is finalized you can request curriculum
    • Full time students (1.0FTE) will have all seven subjects (math, science, ELA, social studies, health, art)
    • .8FTE students will have 4-5 classes
    • Kingergardners will be enrolled at .5FTE and have 2-3 classes

  • Weekly contact is how PEARL tracks attendance and stays connected to student learning. Students share what they’ve worked on, and teachers respond. 

    • Required each week
    • Student shares learning in their own words
    • Completed through Seesaw and Zoom
    • Meets Washington State attendance requirements

    Seesaw is the primary platform PEARL uses for students to share their learning and stay connected with their teacher throughout the week. It plays a central role in weekly contact and ongoing communication.

    Students use Seesaw to submit work samples, share reflections, and show what they are learning in their own words. Teachers review these submissions and respond with feedback, encouragement, and guidance. This ongoing exchange helps teachers monitor progress and support each student’s learning.

    Seesaw may be used in a variety of ways, including written responses, photos of work, videos, or voice recordings. Your teacher will guide you on what to submit each week.

    Families will receive login information and be set up with a Seesaw account before the start of school. Parents are encouraged to check Seesaw regularly to stay connected and informed about their student’s learning. Seesaw can be used on the computer as well as through a phone app.

    Please do not attempt to sign up for a Seesaw account independently as that will prohibit us from setting you up in our system. We will take care of everything on our end!

  • Your teacher completes a monthly review to document progress and celebrate learning. This is based on both student work and parent input.

    • Plan learning according to the learning plan timelines
    • To ensure teachers know exactly where students are in their curriculum parents will provide a monthly report based on those timelines for each subject, which is done within the SLP document.
    • Let your PEARL teacher know if anything is too fast, too slow, or not working in general so they can adjust as needed.
    • The teacher’s monthly review is shared for you and your student to review together

  • PEARL students participate in required assessments to monitor progress and meet state expectations.

    • All students complete district reading and math assessments twice a year (parent proctored)
    • Full-time students (grades 3–8) participate in state testing
    • Expect 2–3 days of testing and required test preparation

  • Starting strong at PEARL means having a few key pieces in place to support consistent learning and communication.

    • Reliable internet access and devices that support Seesaw, email, and phone communication
    • A learning environment that allows your student to focus and complete daily work
    • A consistent schedule that fits your family while prioritizing regular learning time

    PEARL can help support technology needs:

    • Each family may request a chromebook for free. Families with multiple children may request two, depending on availability

  • Your First Day

    On your first day at PEARL, take a few simple steps to get started. Make sure you can log in to Seesaw and access your student’s account. Look for your student’s SLP and helpful links in their Seesaw folder to guide your learning. Be sure to check your email for your teacher’s first weekly message, which will outline expectations and next steps for the week.

  • Your First Week

    During the first week, focus on settling into your learning routine. Attend the Back to School Zoom and complete weekly contact following your teacher’s directions. Begin building consistent habits that support daily learning. This is also a great time to encourage a positive, growth-focused mindset and help your student feel confident and excited to begin the year.

  • Your First Month

    During the first month, you’ll grow more comfortable using Seesaw, including posting reflections and completing a parent monthly report. Families are invited to attend the optional (and fun!) beginning-of-year Meet and Greet. This is a time to settle into routines and build confidence with your chosen curriculum as your learning rhythm takes shape.