LVHS Weekly!
Excellence In All We Do.
April 13, 2020
CALENDAR THIS WEEK:
We are still updating our Canvas assignments on Mondays and Thursdays this week. You CAN introduce new topics that you will be covering when instruction goes live on the 20th, but you still can not require anything nor take any grades. And you will need to revisit this information when we start requiring participation.
No REQUIRED assignments this week.
Monday, April 13 -
1. Possible PLC meeting (see your lead for specifics).
2. Post updated activities in your Optional Enrichment and Review between 8 and noon.
3. Work on finishing your 4 learning modules (per class - accommodated and gen ed) - paper version due in "Paper Version of Virtual Learning Module" folder by noon on Tuesday, April 14.
4. Attend any meetings/ARDs you've been invited to (virtually).
5. Check emails frequently and return all emails within 2 hours.
No team leader meeting at 1:30.
Tuesday, April 14 -
1. Possible PLC meeting (see your lead for specifics).
2. Plan for new activities to be posted in "OEAR" module on Thursday, April 16.
3. All paper modules for all subjects for all 4 weeks due in your online folder by noon!
4. Check emails frequently and return all emails within 2 hours.
5. Attend any meetings/ARDs you've been invited to (virtually).
Wednesday, April 15 -
1. Possible PLC meeting (see your lead for specifics).
2. Plan for new activities to be posted in "OEAR" module on Thursday, April 16.
3. Be aware of which students will need paper copies (using Confidential List with adopted students - tab 1 (list of all students). The only thing you have to do with this information is know which kids you shouldn't expect to show during office hours and who won't be turning in through Canvas.
4. Attend any meetings/ARDs you've been invited to (virtually).
5. Check emails frequently and return all emails within 2 hours.
Department Head Meeting at 1:30.
Thursday, April 16-
1. Possible PLC meeting (see your lead for specifics).
2. Post updated activities in your Optional Enrichment and Review between 8 and noon.
3. Attend any meetings/ARDs you've been invited to (virtually).
4. Check emails frequently and return all emails within 2 hours.
Friday, April 17 -
1. Possible PLC meeting (see your lead for specifics).
2. Attend any meetings/ARDs you've been invited to (virtually).
3. Check emails frequently and return all emails within 2 hours.
Monday, April 20 -
Publish Module 1 by 8:00 am. PLC meetings with Mrs. Stoner, following the schedule below.
Office hours, beginning April 20:
Holding a google hangout with your students this week?
Please add any meetings scheduled with your students on the first tab here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1X_rNWrFPMggtzltTW98vn15s7zH7T5CJawchW7c2kqY/edit?usp=sharing
The rest of that spreadsheet are our office hours for the foreseeable future.
Teachers of seniors
The counselors would like to request in the coming days, you alert them of seniors who will not pass for the year without a 100 the final 9 weeks for your class.
Their plan is to keep these students on super close watch and help ensure they get their work done (as much as we can).
Thanks!
Review of Accommodations and Modifications of modules
Use the translation sheet provided by the SpEd department (and shown below) to help ensure you are providing the correct accommodations to students both online and paper.
All teachers are responsible for providing all accommodations for each module - both paper and virtual versions.
Don't publicly display the difference between the regular and accommodated version. For example, DO NOT send out the same module to every student that says, "Everyone do these problems, but if you get reduced assignments, you only have to do the odds."
Hooten and Sutton will be attending office hours, as needed. If we all call our hangouts a similar format, there is no need to invite them. They can join by adding themselves. Regardless, expect them. :)
Kim and Frank will handle all of the modified modules. God bless them.
Document, document, document. Since you don't have hard copies of your accommodation sheets, I would create a google sheet where you document what you provide. You will need to turn this in at the end of the semester.
Here's a format you can download and use if you would like not to have to come up with your own form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12-GmVu2yLD_4u_Qoobsq1lF_ZdphkYn2/view?usp=sharing
Reach out if you need help!
Important - Google Hangouts Next Week
"The Google Calendar option for creating a Google Meet is great for scheduling meetings with staff, but Google just released a new feature to keep students from entering a meeting without...you have to "nickname" your meeting. Unfortunately, you're not able to use this feature in Calendar, so please plan on scheduling Google Meet through Calendar only for meetings with adults.
Here's a tutorial that was released today to explain how to create a nicknamed meeting that only works when you're in it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylx_DR0CRGM&feature=youtu.be
The good news is that you use the same, simple code for every meeting (e.g., loftonbullis)."
Right now, this way isn't working seamlessly, but tech is working on it.
I would NOT WORRY ABOUT PUTTING DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO ACCESS YOUR GOOGLE HANGOUTS IN YOUR PAPER COPIES. We can come up with a sheet to include in the hard copy packet that has the office hours schedule and google hangout names.
Please DO INCLUDE YOUR GOOGLE VOICE NUMBER in your hard packet copies. This may be the only way students without internet can access you for help, since accessing Google Hangouts with a phone number doesn't seem to be allowed using the more secure directions provided by Dr. Lofton.
I'll give you more information on Google Hangout as it becomes available.
Food services for students who get Free or Reduced meals
If it's a family that did not previously qualify, but would now because of their job circumstances, they just need to fill out a form at Viking Hall during the meal pick-up hours.
Just in case you need this information for families that you have contact with (virtually, of course).
Grading this nine weeks
I need to highlight some facts:
You will take one grade per subject, per week.
So you can grade several things within a module, but ONE GRADE comes from each module and students essentially will have 4 grades that make up their average this nine weeks.
Assignment grades:
I - INCOMPLETE (Will translate to a “0” if missing assignments are not submitted prior to May 15th).
P - PASS (100% in semester calculation, in accordance with weighted table)
F - FAIL (69% in semester calculation, in accordance with weighted table)
It is important to note that work will be considered incomplete if the teacher deems there is not a good-faith effort by the student to correctly complete the assigned work.
There will be no final exams for grades 6-12.
For the spring semester of the 2019-2020 school year only, the second semester average in grades 6-12 will be determined using the nine-week averages only:
3rd Nine-Week Average = 50%
4th Nine-Week Average = 50%
If you haven't done this, do so ASAP:
This is the virtual teaching version of proximity control. :)
Attendance taking during office hours...
I'll send this new form later this week.
Stuff from last time that was so important, I left it in here again:
How are we communicating the change from optional to required assignments to students?
It is basically a very simplified version of what was sent out to parents last week.
I checked with Russell and our students should be able to access Youtube on their ipads now! Thanks to those who brought this up as a concern.
Course Selection Information - The process
For those students who have not previously met with counselors to choose courses for the next school year, counselors are using the student's four-year plans to make course selection choices.
We will be mailing home a copy of each student's course selections for next year THIS week.
(Meghin_Huerta@lagovista.txed.net and Elanna_Hylander@lagovista.txed.net) or using the google form below:
All optional changes to course selections must be made by May 21 (the last day of school).
We will share the list of students taking courses with department heads over the next few weeks. Teachers wishing to make recommendations on course selection choices will need to contact the parents and students of the student (we aren't just going to change their selections without informing them why they are being removed). Be careful about making recommendations to change from an advanced course to an on-level course - ultimately the decision is up to the student and parent. I have really never seen that conversation end well.
Below is a copy of the course selection cards for incoming 10-12th graders:
if you or your students are having issues with their technology, please send requests to tech@lagovista.txed.net. That way all 3 tech guys get it!
RESCHEDULED EVENTS
Here is an update on the ones that are probably on your mind:
Prom (originally May 9) - We are working with venues to attempt to reschedule our prom date to the weekend of May 16. This will give us more time to fundraise if we are able to return and the greatest chance of still holding this special event for our students.
Blue and Gold (originally May 6) - Rescheduled to Wednesday, May 20, at 6:00 pm. Scholarship materials have been submitted and students will receive their accolades and scholarship awards, as planned.
Graduation - Graduation for the Class of 2020 is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Friday, May 22. We are still planning to hold the ceremony for our amazing group of graduates at this time.
More details to follow as the situation evolves!
The plan - Please make sure you have read!
Through April 17, teachers should continue posting optional enrichment and review activities on Canvas for our students to use to stay on top of their skills and stay connected with their teachers and classmates during our closure. Please be sure your student is accessing Canvas to access these optional learning opportunities. These will be updated periodically throughout this extended break.
Beginning April 20, our students will begin participating in distance learning through the use of Canvas to submit assignments and to receive feedback from teachers. Teachers will also have the ability to send new learning material to students, which will allow them to view and repeat as needed in the timeframe that works best for their individual needs. Students participating in online instruction will also submit assignments through Canvas.
In order to provide maximum flexibility for students and families, Lago Vista ISD will be implementing self-paced modules that will be able to be carried out both online and offline. Online content will not be delivered in "real time" and will, instead, be posted for students to watch or complete at their own pace. Our goal is to be flexible and responsive, understanding that each of our families has their own unique situation. We also understand that some families will have multiple students that need to share technology or parents who are working/telecommuting during the day.
Learning Modules
Our classroom teachers will create weekly learning modules for students that will be sent out through digital classroom spaces each Monday, beginning April 20th. Students receiving paper packets due to lack of Internet access will have one packet per week, each containing one learning module. Each learning module will contain a series of activities and information with one graded assignment per week.
Once learning modules are sent out each Monday, parents and students will have opportunities throughout the week to receive support from our staff if they have questions or need help. In addition to responding to emails, teachers will have scheduled “office hours” when they will be available to help students in real-time.We are working on this schedule now and will communicate that information in the coming days.
Recommended Student Schedules
Our daily recommendations for total academic time on task for high school students is at least 4 hours a day, not to exceed 6 hours per day.
Distance Learning Grading
While providing feedback to our students and progress monitoring their performance will not change, some of our grading guidelines will have to be amended during this time. As mentioned, we will take one grade per teacher/subject per week for TEKS-based courses. In order to receive a passing grade for the 4th nine weeks, students are expected to complete and submit each weekly assignment and meet grade-level standards. And, as always, a student's final grade in a course is the determination of the classroom teacher and must be based upon performance on assignments and assessments designed to evaluate students' master of the TEKS. [See Policy EIA(LEGAL)]
Nine Weeks Grading for Grades 2-12
Although assignments will continue to receive numeric grades, course grades for the 4th nine weeks will move to a Pass/Fail system. As such, grading for the 4th nine weeks will have three options:
I - INCOMPLETE (Will translate to a “0” if missing assignments are not submitted prior to May 15th).
P - PASS (100% in semester calculation, in accordance with weighted table)
F - FAIL (69% in semester calculation, in accordance with weighted table)
It is important to note that work will be considered incomplete if the teacher deems there is not a good-faith effort by the student to correctly complete the assigned work.
Semester Grading for Secondary Students
There will be no final exams for grades 6-12. For the spring semester of the 2019-2020 school year only, the second semester average in grades 6-12 will be determined using the nine-week averages only:
3rd Nine-Week Average = 50%
4th Nine-Week Average = 50%
Rank Calculation
Per policy, senior rank for graduation honors is calculated using the 3rd nine weeks and this year will be no different. Grades for the 3rd nine weeks will be finalized next week and report cards will be issued shortly thereafter.
Rank calculations for second semester will continue to be based off of the second semester grades in accordance with the calculation shown above. For the purpose of calculating the second semester average, a student with a passing grade for the 4th nine weeks will receive a 100% in the calculation. Semester grade calculations will continue to be weighted in accordance with District policy.
Retention and Promotion Standards
Lago Vista ISD's standards for grade-level retention and promotion will remain in effect, as outlined below.
- Promotion in Grades 9-12: Grade-level advancement for students in grades 9–12 shall be earned by course credits. [See Policy EIE(LOCAL)]
- Students Receiving Special Education Services (All Grades): Any modified promotion standards for a student receiving special education services shall be determined by the student’s admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee and documented in the student’s individualized education program (IEP). [See Policy EIE(LOCAL), Policy Series EHBA, and Policy EKB]
Additional Information About Distance Learning
Throughout this shift to online learning, Lago Vista ISD is committed to ensuring that we:
- Provide equitable activities for students with and without Internet access;
- Adjust lessons, resources, assignments, and grading for our 504, Special Education, and English Language Learner students;
- Meet the needs of students receiving special education services and students served under Section 504-Dyslexia by providing resources and remote instructional support;
- Review and ensure that students needing special services (such as 504, Special Education, LPAC) will be provided these services to the maximum extent possible;
- Check-in with your student(s) regularly;
- Adhere to policies, procedures, and expectations around teacher to student communication;
- Ensure the safety and security of students in the online environment, to the extent possible;
- Encourage parents to have their student(s) read for pleasure and journal write; and
- Encourage students to play/exercise to help keep their minds and bodies relaxed and healthy.
Commitment to Serving Our Students
During this time, you can expect that we will do all that we can to continue serving the students of Lago Vista ISD. We are committed to working with our families during this unprecedented time to ensure the success of all students.
What if a student needs emotional help?
Please reach out to the counselors AND share the counselor's phone numbers with the student:
Mrs. Huerta's Google Voice Number is: 512-677-9685
Mrs. Hylander's Google Voice is: 512-677-9736
Remember that mandatory reporting laws still apply over the break!