Dear Parents and Guardians,
I pray you are well as we begin week three of distance learning. I am grateful to you all for your commitment to the success of our new methods of delivering instruction to our students. Your role has greatly increased. We realize that this may be cumbersome for some and an opportunity for others to better understand the commitment of your teachers toward your children.
If you have not had a chance to share their thoughts about long-distance learning, whether positive or areas where we may improve, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and help us grow and learn. https://forms.gle/H8SiEQQCrph5k8ty8. Our goal is to be the best we can be.
News from Bell County
On Friday evening Bell County Judge David Blackburn announced that the county will extend their Shelter in Place order until April 7, urging people to stay sheltered in their homes for another week and a half.
As we are considered essential businesses, the school office will remain open. All teachers at this time are performing remote learning from their homes. All classwork is now online. However, students in grades Pre-K and Kindergarten will have the opportunity to pick up hard packets if needed.
If students in other grades need to pick up something from the school, give us a call and we can accommodate. We want everyone safe but know there are circumstances where you need to gain access to something here.
Last week I asked my teachers to share their thoughts on the progress of their distance learning with the following questions: Now that we are almost finished with our second week I would like you to evaluate how your program is going. What are the responses from your parents and students? Is the amount of work enough? Is it too much? Do you notice a difference in your students' work ethics? Could this be directly related to working parents? We have had so many positive comments but have received a few saying there's too much work and the parent feels like they are doing the teaching. I know you are doing well but please think about the amount of total time your students are working, including watching your videos and face to face time. They should have 4 hours a day. Although the students are our obvious priority, we still need to take the parents into consideration and their time, especially if they are working. Their well-being is important.
The responses were plentiful but gathered together addressed the following:
Grading must be consistent. There will be times when a percentage is appropriate while other times teachers may give points or simply credit for completion. The focus must be consistency with grading and fairness with the honor system. Mrs. Wyles is in communication with her fellow principals to share best practices in this area with each other.
Online chat is being used by some but not as many as we had hoped and not by those who teachers believe need it. This time is available every day for the students to make contact with the teacher in real time. Students may also email questions to teachers or post questions in Google Classroom. It really is important to check in with the teacher. Please stress this to your child.
Although it may seem like Distance Learning is easier for the teachers, all of our teachers are working much longer hours than they would if they were at school. The prep time alone is extensive.
The amount of work given to the students seems to be appropriate based on students’ completion and understanding. Teachers realize that they need to make adjustments as necessary and be open to these needs.
Students who have not completed their work for week one and two should do this this week. We want students to be caught up with their studies.
Our ultimate goal as we move into our third week is to make sure our students are progressing and ultimately are ready for the next grade.
Expectations for Distance Learning are as follows:
Assignments will be posted in the Google Classroom. These assignments will be directly related to the teacher videos. Therefore students will need to watch the videos before completing the assignments.
Each teacher will choose a time during the day when parents and students may log on for FaceTime with the teacher, to ask questions, or check in, using the Google Meet forum.
Students will turn all work in via Google Classroom. All work for the week is due according to teacher instruction. All work not assigned a specific day, is due by Sunday of that week, at midnight. Work turned in after this will be considered late. To turn in work, please scan or take a picture and upload to the Google Classroom. Students in Grades Pre-K and Kinder may drop packets off at the school.
Parents are asked to communicate any questions or concerns with the teacher.
Other News:
All 3rd quarter awards went out in the mail today. On Wednesday, a virtual awards ceremony will be recorded and posted on the website.
Applications for Tuition Assistance will remain open until April 15th.
As of today, school will reopen on Tuesday, April 14th. There will be no classwork on Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Easter Monday (April 9th, 10th and 13th).
There are many questions still looming regarding April and May. It is so hard not to know what comes next and if this mode of learning will continue for the rest of the year. I do not have the answer but assure you that we will be prepared if it does. Just think where you were 4 weeks ago and how much we all have learned in this short time. It is amazing what we can do isn't it? We are making history and doing it well. Thank you parents for your commitment and support through this.
Blessings to you.
Mrs. Wyles