Dear Clover School District Families:

Our district seeks to continuously provide students with varied and high-quality reading materials in print and digital formats. Per school board policy, we want to ensure all resources are carefully selected to avoid sexual, ethnic, racial, or religious stereotypes or biases. (IJKA) We continue to seek a variety of new resources because our board believes that the availability of carefully selected and widely varied supplementary materials enhances students' opportunity to learn and acquire knowledge (IJK) and is consistent with the educational goals of our district. (IJNDB)

Epic is a digital reading platform with a collection of over 40,000 fiction and non-fiction titles from over 250 publishers. Using this free online tool, teachers provide time in class for students to read high-interest books on their reading levels and complete research for standards-based projects. We recognize that some online platforms may contain resources that are not consistent with the values of everyone. While we are careful to assign texts that avoid biases and stereotypes, in some online platforms, like Epic, our teachers cannot curate the collection of titles for which students are able to search. The library of books in Epic is available to students during the school day.  If a student opens a book during the school day, he/she is able to continue reading that book at home but doesn’t have permission to search/open other titles at home. Parents have the right to request that their children not access these online applications. Parents may also review available titles and challenge them if desired.

• We encourage you to explore the Epic site to learn more. We have also developed a video snapshot of how we use Epic in Clover schools.

• Parents can view titles their students are reading in online platforms and the search history on the student iPad.

• Parents may challenge a specific title via board policy (KEC)

The benefit of having good online and print titles, is that it increases student access--thus developing both a love of reading and critical reading skills.

CSD has implemented an Epic Usage Pledge. Your child's teacher will send this pledge home for your signature if he/she intends to use the Epic app in the classroom. Additionally, CSD has adopted the following guidelines for the use of Epic:

Use in PreK-Kindergarten Classrooms

Epic should only be used for whole class lessons or small group work under teacher supervision. Videos must be turned off for student use, unless used for a specific classroom purpose. It is not to be used for student independent reading. 

Use in Grades 1-2 Classrooms

Students may use an assigned collection for research in a small group under teacher supervision. Videos must be turned off for student use, unless used for a specific classroom purpose. It is not be used for student independent reading. 

Use in Grades 3-5 Classrooms 

Students may use an assigned collection for research under teacher supervision, in a small group, or independently.  Students may also use the app for independent reading.  Videos must be turned off for student use unless used for a specific classroom purpose. 

The Hidden List

• All teachers regardless of level will hide the materials specified on the list before using this digital tool with students.

• The list was generated by a committee that found that the titles contain content that doesn’t relate directly to academic standards and may include vocabulary or images that are not suitable for elementary-aged students or address topics in a biased way. 

• The committee will assemble regularly to review additional titles and will send notification to teachers that the list has been updated. 

Reading is essential to school success and having access to digital text will help ensure our students continue growing. Thank you for partnering with us to provide learning opportunities for our students.