Alamo Family Newsletter
Where do I start...?
Return to School!
Monday, Aug 17, 2020, 08:00 AM
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Update - July 31
I tried to hold off as the news keeps rolling in...there are still lots of "I don't know, yet", but we are getting some answers in place.
1. See the different tabs below for links to further information...I'm not going to talk about it if there is a place that has better, more detailed information.
2. No new waiver information. The governor teased us, told us about a possible waiver situation, and hasn't supplied anything further since then. The district and county are waiting on what the waivers entail...but they need the information first!
3. The teachers and district have worked out the learning day for our students (with state guidelines). 2 different types of learning could be happening each day: All group and non-live (these are my terms as the actual terms can get confusing). Let's see if I can explain.
All-group: This is the major part of the instruction, teacher "in front" of the class, teaching, guiding instruction, practicing with the group. Either way, it's the teacher and the class on zoom moving their way through the curriculum. The teacher may also plan some smaller groups during the day which would also be on zoom, but there is no specific time frame for just small group time. Small groups will happen more at younger ages...
Non-live: Not on zoom (with the classroom teacher), but this is the independent work that is required each day which the teacher will supervise, but not lead on camera. Assignments or homework, lessons on other topic areas not under the teacher's supervision (PE, science, social studies) to lead but still under the teacher's supervision to assign and collect work if possible. This could also be assignments in online curriculum...more details on that in later newsletters.
Time Frames:
Kinder: All group 45 minutes + Non-live/Small group 135 minutes = 180 total minutes
1st/2nd grades: All group 80 min + non-live/small group 150=230 total minutes
3rd/4th grades: All group 100 minutes + non-live/small group 140 minutes = 240 total mins.
5th/6th grades: All group 120 minutes + non-live/small group 120 minutes = 240 total mins.
4. So, let's do the math. School time will officially begin at 8:30 (maybe not all classes right at 8:30). For the 1st-6th grades, that's 4 hours of school time. Teachers will need to schedule a break or lunch and most will want to run some smaller groups. Your child may finish their school day somewhere between 2 and 3. That's pretty much a full day with breaks and work.
5. Prepare your "learning" environment. Still need a chromebook, see tab below. Have more than one child, prepare to have all of them on at the same time!
6. Supplies: You are more than welcome to continue the tradition of Back to School shopping...but we will also be getting supplies to you as well. The grade levels will be determining what you need to start the year and we will have an opportunity to come to school to pick those supplies up. This does include textbooks and other materials you can't get at the Big Box Stores, so you will need to come to Alamo at a scheduled time to pick those up. Stay tuned for those details as we get closer to the start of school.
7. Class Assignment: We are going to put the call/voice/text/email notification out next week. The teachers will be reaching out to you to make sure you know how to log-in that first day of school and we want to give them a week to make sure their class is ready for that first day. Class changes are the same as in past years: No changes considered until after Labor Day and then changes only if there are room for changes...we are a full school so this is often an issue...If you haven't heard from your teacher by Wednesday the 12th, reach out to the office.
8. Norms/Rules: The spring "Crisis Teaching" was a bit more casual than what we will be doing in 2 weeks. Your children will have rules or norms they have to follow when online with their classmates. Be ready to reinforce those rules/norms. For example, dogs will not be allowed in lessons, nor little sisters. A dress code may be in play...shirts required. We are looking to limit distractions and maximize our time together.
9. Absences: Attendance will be taken. I understand that the teacher may put together a daily schedule that doesn't work for your family. You will work with the teacher and figure out how the instruction can happen without your child in attendance during certain parts of the day. If you child is doing the work, then they will get counted as having attended...even if they can't make the zoom classes. We have some ideas about how to accomplish this, but it needs to start with communication between the parent and teacher.
10. Last one...for this newsletter. It's coming fast and furious now, so I may have another newsletter prior to next Friday. I can't state this enough...the staff is overwhelmed at having to start the year this way--and Zooming for several hours per day is pretty overwhelming as well. This type of education is overwhelming to our students who need to be in school, socially and academically. As parents (and I'm one of you here as well), this is overwhelming as how to continue to prepare our children and support them--and support ourselves. As a principal, this stinks and is definitely overwhelming. No politics here. This is just where we are at. The Alamo staff will do everything we can to make this year the best it can be and we know that you will make this year the best you can for your children. But if you need help, support, anything, reach out to us! We can talk about how this is wrong for whatever reason you want to identify, but that gets us nowhere. It's time to work on providing the best solution we can under the circumstances we have been given. It's what we do best in education. Stay tuned...there's lots I'm sure I missed here, but I did want to give you a quick update on how August is going to be different than May.
Alamo Office is Open!!! 8-1 PM daily 707-453-6200
Alamo Elementary School
Email: derekw@vacavilleusd.org
Website: https://alamo.schoolloop.com
Location: 500 South Orchard Avenue, Vacaville, CA, USA
Phone: (707) 453-6200
Twitter: @alamovacaville