OES Virtual Learning
April 13, 2020
Results from Family Survey on the First Week of Virtual School
Check-ins: Starting this week, students will only have to check in once a week. Some teachers will be incorporating this procedure as part of the Classwork, and others will keep the Google form link in their templates. Either way, students only need to check in once for the week. Specials are also following the same method. However, Specials are now running a ten day rotation, so check ins only need to be every ten days per Specials class.
Simplifying Format: Each week, for the past 3 weeks, teachers have been working on this. As they hear about confusing links or assignments they are working towards making them more streamlined for the following week.
More Social Engagement: Last week, we also discussed with our para-professionals, ways to provide opportunities for students to interact with each other. Each para has been assigned classrooms and will be having dates and times for students to interact on Zoom meetings for things like, lunch bunch (bring a snack/lunch and chat with friends), Show and Tell, Scavenger Hunts, Read Alouds, and Discussion Prompts. For this first week, we are hoping to have at least one to two of these optional opportunities per class.
More Engaging Content: As they are becoming more familiar with online learning strategies, our teachers are continuing to collaborate on ways to make the content more engaging. They have added their own videos, FlipGrid and this week are working on Kahoots for their class. We also encourage you to visit Specials more, as they are adding content and have lots of fun things for students to do. Also, for the last week in April, teachers are planning a special themed week of fun and engaging activities for students.
Once again, thank you for all of your support and for working as a team with our teachers and staff to keep learning going for our students. Please let your teachers know if the workload is too stressful or they are in need of assistance managing assignments. We are very flexible and want to make your child's learning experience as stress free as possible.
Taking Care of Your Family's Emotional Well Being
Many things have changed about our daily lives. Here are some simple, free activities that can help your family adjust to the changes. The Harvard University's Center for the Developing Child Parent Resource has some resources for families. They also have a How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak document with both quick tips and comprehensive resources for supporting the well-being of your family.
Finally, Mind Yeti has some great research based mindfulness videos for families to help calm their minds, focus their attention and connect to the world around them. Created by nonprofit Committee for Children
New Grab and Go Sites for Student Meals
Mariner High was added as a Grab and Go Meal Pick Up Site starting Monday, April 6th.
Six new locations will be added to the meal pick up sites starting Tuesday, April 14th (same hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
- Gulf Middle, Hancock Creek Elementary, Harns Marsh Elementary, Island Coast High, J. Colin English Elementary and Tanglewood Elementary
Click here for the most up to date information on the SDLC Grab and Go sites.
One Book Connects
Oasis Elementary is about to embark on a special project called #OneBookConnects. Students will have the opportunity to read the same book together, a book called, A Boy Called Bat, by Elana K. Arnold. – even though we’re all at home. Reading this book together will enable your family to share the joy of reading and reconnect with our school community.This is an optional activity for students. This book is available for free on EPIC.
Troubleshooting Tips
Our most common student issues are the following:
Sharing a Family Chromebook
The School District of Lee County has a visual on how to switch accounts between students, when they are sharing a Chromebook.
If you are getting a message that you do not have permission, it is an indicator that you are not logged in using the @oasishs.org account.
This happens frequently when students are sharing devices with their siblings or using a home device that defaults to a personal @gmail account. When attempting to access Google Classroom and school materials (Safari, etc.) students must be logged in with their @oasishs.org account.
When using an Apple device, student is unable to view Google Slides and Google Docs.
In order to view these documents, in addition to having the Google Classroom app, the Apple device must have the Google Slides and Google Docs app downloaded.
Student Monitoring with Google Accounts/Chromebooks
Third Quarter Report Cards
If parents have NOT already set up an established FOCUS account to view their student information, they will have to get their parent account verified. The verification process may take up to a few weeks. In order to set up a parent account, parents will need the Student ID number, (NOT the Social Security Number). If you do not know your child's Student ID, please reach out to your child's teacher. Teachers will only be sending student ID's to the email account that they have been using with the parent all year.
See the attachment below for details on the Parent FOCUS account verification process.
Have you downloaded the Focus Community App yet?
The Focus Community App provides parents, students, teachers, and administrators a streamlined way to access the information they want, when and where they want it.
The School District of Lee County's Focus Community App is available for download on both the Google Play and Apple App stores. Download it today!
Extra Resources for Families
The State of Florida has accumulated lots of resources for student learning.
Finally, Sal Khan, from Khan Academy has Daily Homeroom for parents, with some interesting topics on distance learning, including balancing working from home while monitoring your child's virtual school, and other issues related to COVID19.