Dear MS Parents/Guardians,
First, let us say, we hope that you and your family are safe and healthy as you read this letter. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding as we have been adjusting, like you, to the drastic changes in life during the last few weeks. We are extremely appreciative of our students, parents, teachers, and staff for their positivity, flexibility and resilience during these trying times.
Over the past two weeks, students have been engaging in continuous learning activities, which included review of previously taught content, using the learning packets that were distributed at the end of March. As you are aware, schools will remain closed through April 29th. This health crisis remains a fluid situation and there is a good possibility that our return date will once again be postponed. Because of this, we are writing to share our distance learning plan for the Middle School.
Our goal is to not only provide continuous educational opportunities and practice for students while schools are closed, but also to eliminate as much stress as possible for students, parents, and teachers. While it is our responsibility to continue to educate our students, we also want to compassionately take into consideration the variety of difficulties that our families and staff are experiencing during this time.
As we progress through the month of April, our teachers will be transitioning to the instruction of new content. Beginning Monday, April 20th, all instructional materials will be distributed to students via online platforms (Google Classroom/Teacher Website). Each day (Monday through Friday), by 9:00am, teachers will be posting/sending a virtual greeting to students using the online learning platform that they are utilizing. This virtual greeting will outline teacher expectations for the day. On a daily basis, students are expected to view these messages.
We would like to thank all of you for your continued patience and support as we navigate through this unprecedented time. Please review this document in its entirety and reach out to us with any questions that you may have.
We believe we will all be stronger when we come out on the other side of the COVID-19 Pandemic. History is being written! We hold the pen! Together, we will write the BEST story we can for our children! Remember, we are all in this together!
Sincerely,
Andre Spinelli and John McConnell
Online Platforms for Distance Learning: Teachers will communicate with their students regarding how they will receive and submit assignments. Teachers will be utilizing District approved online platforms to engage students in learning activities and communication. Additionally, students now have access to their student email account and may communicate with teachers via this tool. Students are expected to adhere to the District’s Acceptable Use Policy.
*It is extremely important that you contact the middle school main office at 845-647-0126 to inform us if you are in need of a Chromebook or if you do not have access to the Internet, so that alternate arrangements can be made for your child to receive and turn in assignments.
Teacher Office Hours: Office hours are the time during the day when teachers make themselves available to parents/guardians and students to answer questions. Teachers are required to have office hours to communicate with parents/guardians and students and will be sharing these hours with you. If you, or your child, has a question related to assignments, please reach out to the teachers during this time. Teachers may be reached via email, or any other method communicated by the teacher.
Attendance: Just like a normal school day, your child's attendance and participation will be monitored.
Grading: Students are expected to complete all assigned work. As students return assignments, teachers are expected to be providing students with feedback to advance their learning. Grading for the 4th quarter marking period will be Pass/Fail, based on completion of assignments. Parent Portal will still be available to review your child’s grades.
AIS, Resource Room, ENL Teachers: Teachers will work with content area teachers to provide added support if a service was in place during the 2019-2020 school year.
Special Areas: Art, Music, Physical Education and STEAM: Special Area teachers will post assignments/projects on their Google Classroom. Some of these could be projects that students work on a little at a time during the week.
Accommodations/Modifications: While providing 504, IEP, and Declassified students with all the accommodation/modifications listed in their plan presents a challenge, we must attempt to provide what is possible in a remote academic setting to the extent that is practicable.
Student Support & Related Services:
School Counselors*
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Our school counselors will be available Monday through Friday from 7:50am to 2:30pm . Counselors who are assigned to give 1:1 counseling services to students who have an IEP/504 will be setting up time to speak with the student to provide these services remotely to the extent that is practicable. Counselors will also be reaching out to students who have not been engaging in distance learning.
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School Psychologist*
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Our school psychologist will be available Monday through Friday from 8:50am-3:30pm for students to provide remote mental health support to the extent that is practicable. Calls will also be made to families regarding Annual Review meetings, Evaluations, and/or Re-evaluations, and any other areas that need to be addressed.
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Speech*
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Speech teachers will set up times with the student to provide these services remotely. (For those students who have 1-1 speech and group speech on their IEP.)
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OT/PT*
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Service will be provided on a case by case basis.
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*A signed consent will be required to provide remote counseling services and speech services for 504 and IEP students who receive those services.