Remote Learning Parent Email

Dear Parents, 

As we move to remote learning over the next couple of weeks, we wanted to reach out and offer support to help your children be successful in this new environment.  

Here are a few things that you can encourage your students TO DO THIS WEEK in order to get ready for remote learning beginning Monday, March 23.

1. Learn how to access their school email account through Google Apps and the school website. This LINK will take students to the school website and Google Apps for Education can be accessed through the table on the left side of the page.  All teachers will be using student email accounts to connect with students. We have already emailed students and we would like to hear back from them so we know they’re good to go!
2. Make sure students have their pod web sites bookmarked.  Teachers will be posting daily assignments to their homework blogs.  Most assignments will be completed through Google Classroom.  
3. Finish old missing assignments & homework. Now is a great opportunity to get caught up. Sit with your student while he or she accesses PowerSchool.  There is a tab for missing work. Check it out! And know that we’ll be hounding students from home!

Before the academics get started next week, there are some steps you can take to get your student off on the right foot.  Consider the following:

1. Create a routine:  Every household will be different based on the demands on the family.  Child care and work affect everything and we want you to know we understand..  If possible, have children start each day at the same time and proceed through their academics in a methodical fashion.  Breaks are fine, but maintaining a routine - for EVERYONE’S sanity - is key. We will be available throughout the school day (9-3) if you or your child need support in any way
2. Create an organized workspace:  Be it a desk, countertop, or kitchen table - have a space that your child uses each day to “do school”.  We would refrain from their bedroom, playroom, or couch as it may lend itself to less focus and inhibit his or her learning experience (just a suggestion - you do what you think is best).  Kids only need a computer/chromebook, paper/notebooks, calculator and pencils. Students should also have an independent reading book. All lessons will be designed based on the assumption that people DO NOT have the ability to print.  Here is a LINK to the visual that we’re sending to your student.
3. Organize assignments:  Your student will receive an “on-line agenda” from us each and every day through Academic Support’s Google Classroom.  Our expectation is that they fill out the work that’s been assigned for each class as well as any missing work that they may accomplish that day.  This should be the first thing students do each day. There is a checkbox for when they complete each assignment. Assignments might include on-line tutorials or videos, google forms that serve as assessments, surveys, as well as on-line reading journals.
4. Read these articles!  Click on this LINK to read a fabulous resource for helping your student get organized at home.  This LINK is specific to completing homework (which includes remote learning!)

While we typically see students every other day, during this time we will be available any time, during school hours, through our email. We have asked students to email us with any questions and we will attempt to get back to them within the hour. 

While the idea of online learning is new to us all, we are excited to see our students become more independent and practice their time management and self-advocacy skills over the next few weeks. We will be pushing out assignments and activities of our own beginning next week.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Ginny and Mike