K-5 Getting Started Guide
2021-2022
Message from the principal
We are so excited to meet you and join together as a community of learners! I'd like to thank you for your patience during the surge of enrollments and all the changes.
I am hopeful that, as guidance from the state and district allow, I will be able to greet you face to face for some in-person learning experiences here at our location.
Welcome to the FLEX family!
Paul Ottum (Mr. O)
FLEX Information
Main office telephone: 503-356-3720
Follow the prompts for the main office or attendance reporting voicemail.
Voicemails can be left on school phones and will be checked throughout the day.
Remote office hours: 8:00am-4:00pm
In-person office hours: by appointment only, please call or email first
Location: Tumwater Middle School - 650 NW 118th Ave. Portland, OR 97229
You can also email us at flex-online-school@beaverton.k12.or.us
Attendance
We understand that there are activities outside of Canvas that your student might be engaging in for school, however, for our records we require a Canvas log in.
If your student is going to be absent, please call 503-356-3720 and wait for attendance voicemail prompt, or email flex-online-school@beaverton.k12.or.us
If you receive an absence notification, please message or email your teacher to check in.
Attendance video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZZVAZmQEr4
Specials Classes (Technology, Art, Spanish)
Specials classes rotate each quarter following the district A/B day calendar, or every other day.
Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th graders have specials on B days.
1st, 3rd, and 5th graders have specials on A days.
Setting Up a Learning Space
School Supplies
Please contact us at flex-online-school@beaverton.k12.or.us if you need assistance.
Video Meeting Tips
Watch the video above for how to sign into Zoom (do this before clicking on a meeting link)
Only have 1 Zoom window open at a time
Limit how many other internet tabs you have open while in a Zoom meeting
If your screen freezes when the teacher is sharing their screen, turn off your camera
All students will use Canvas
Canvas is our learning management system where students can see their assignments, manage due dates on a calendar, turn in assignments, message with teachers and see graded work and feedback.
The parent/guardian account is an 'observer' account which gives access to the student's courses, student calendar and access to grades & feedback from teachers. Parents have their own inbox where they can message with any teacher associated with a course their student is enrolled in.
Please follow the directions on the district Canvas page to set up your account if you have not.
Videos to help get started:
*For students using iPads, please use Safari or Chrome rather than the Canvas app.
Logging in on a Chromebook or computer
Device or Tech Issues
Find technology support on our website: https://flex.beaverton.k12.or.us/connect/tech-support
The fastest way to get help with an iPad or Chromebook issue is to email our support email: flex-support@beaverton.k12.or.us
In your email please include the student's first and last name, student ID#, grade level, and specifics about the issue. If possible, sending screenshots or videos of the issue can help us troubleshoot faster.
Please write your passwords down and keep it near your school/learning space.
You can see your student's original password in ParentVUE under "Student Information" at the very bottom.
If your child has ever changed their password it will NOT update here.
Staying on Track
Learning Coaches, students and teachers will work as a team to make sure that learning is progressing.
Where do I see how my student is doing?
- Canvas calendar will show you what is due (with assignment details)
- Canvas gradebook has grades and feedback from teachers
- Emails and phone calls with teachers
- ParentVue will have progress report grades
It may be helpful for students to have a planner or calendar to track daily tasks for longer assignments or to plan out their learning day.
Curriculum
We use Florida Virtual for most of our instruction. Your child's teacher will help students and Learning Coaches understand how to use these systems.
Here is a parent support guide for FLVS: http://bit.ly/FOS-Elementary
Please note: The school will provide all the printed pages you will need. We will let you know when we hold pick-up times for workbooks. You can also access the materials within the curriculum if you prefer a digital copy.
Schedule for Success
With FLEX, your school schedule can be whatever best fits your family! We have seen this work beautifully for many families already! Some tips for success when planning your school schedule are listed below:
Make a schedule, adjust as necessary but, try to keep it consistent. It can be easy to think “We’ll just fit it in where we can”, unfortunately; this often leads to inconsistency, which makes it hard for students to stay engaged and focused.
A visual schedule can be very helpful. In a classroom, the teacher manages a lot of the executive functioning and transitions from one activity to the next. Students may need your support in this.
Set clear expectations.
Consider what is developmentally appropriate for your student. As adults, we may think, “Let’s just whip through these lessons”, but it is normal for children to struggle with focus. Setting a timer and scheduling movement breaks throughout the day is important. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
REACH OUT. If you are struggling to find a schedule that works for you or are encountering other barriers, please reach out to your student’s teacher or school counselor. We are more than happy to help! We can work with you and share ideas that have worked for other families and students.
Contacting Teachers
We expect that students will be communicating regularly with their teachers and school staff. Below are the best ways to do so:
Canvas Inbox
Email
Schedule a phone or video call
Meal Benefits
Families can sign up to receive free breakfast and lunch this year.
FLEX students can receive a week's worth of meals each Wednesday. For more details and to sign up, please visit the website below. (Scroll down for a section titled FLEX Online School.)
https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/nutrition-services/meals
First Week of School Q&A Sessions
We hosted a live Q & A session during the first week of school in September 2021.
Click Here for a summary of questions and answers from the Q&A session.
Click below for a recording: (Click here for the video)
K-2 families (watch from the start up to minute 30:48)
3-5 families (click here to jump to minute 30:49, please watch until 59:38)
6-8 families (click here to jump to minute 59:39, please watch until 1:29:05)
9-12 families (click here to jump to minute 1:29:05 - end)