Weekly Parent Newsletter
August 28, 2020
Principal's Message
Everyone did a great job this week with Distance Learning! I am so proud of our students and teachers. I heard there were a few students who experienced connectivity issues and regular drops with Google Meet. I am so sorry this happened and I appreciate your patience. We have reported this concern to our IT Department and they are looking into the issue. We are noticing that the Gridview Extension for Google Meet negatively impacts connectivity. We recommend uninstalling this extension if students are experiencing technical difficulties. In response to the recent issues, the SDUHSD Tech Hub also has a new troubleshooting/connectivity page on their website. If you continue to experience technical difficulties that impact your student's attendance, please let our Attendance Office know.
On the first two days of school, all subject areas taught a specific topic that will help students be successful during Distance Learning. For example, math teachers taught all students how to navigate Google Classroom, social studies teachers gave all students a tour of Google Suite, and English teachers created a lesson on how to access and send emails. These skills are important to know and correlate with success in Distance Learning. If at any time your student needs additional help, please contact the teacher. The Student Support Time at the end of the school day is designated for individual and small group assistance, reteaching, and interventions. If students don't need additional help, they should use Student Support Time to complete assignments, study, and prepare for learning the next day.
Navigating learning in a virtual classroom looks a lot different than a typical classroom. Please be reminded that during Distance Learning, teachers will be working with your student through both synchronous and asynchronous learning. At times there may be a need for the following activities, although this is not an exhaustive list, these are examples of what may happen in the virtual classroom: use of camera for attendance, use of breakout rooms, teacher recording of sessions so that they are available asynchronously for students, and the ability for students to upload videos to demonstrate mastery.
Our district is committed to a comprehensive Distance Learning model through the first quarter (October 28, 2020). Although the media has reported that all San Diego County schools can reopen September 1st if we remain off the county watchlist, we have not received the green light from the State of California to bring our entire student body back at once. When schools are allowed to reopen, elementary schools will have an easier time reopening than middle and high schools due to capacity and the master schedule. We are required to follow the COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Schools and School-Based Programs. In the meantime, I would like to know how your student is doing in Distance Learning and continue to look for ways to support them and improve our program. Please share your feedback on the PTMS Distance Learning Parent Engagement Form.
Have a wonderful weekend, Wolfpack!
We are One Pack - We've Got This!
Sincerely,
Mary Anne Nuskin
Principal
From the Assistant Principal
Dear Parents,
Below is important information regarding Attendance and upcoming STAR Testing:
Attendance Information
There have been some recent changes in attendance due to the passing of AB77 and SB98.
- Students must use their district-assigned email address which consists of the student last name, first initial and last for digits of their student ID number (i.e. potterh3456@my.sduhsd.net).
- Attendance will be taken EVERY CLASS, EVERY DAY.
- Teachers will mark a student's attendance by using one of the following descriptions:
1. Present and Engaged. When a student is present, completes all assignments, and participates in synchronous and asynchronous lessons.
2. Present and Not Engaged. When a students is present but does not complete all assignments and/or participate in synchronous or asynchronous lessons.
3. Absent.
4. Tardy.
If your student is going to be late, absent, or is experiencing technical difficulties resulting in them missing one or more of their class periods for any reason, please call the Attendance Office at 858.509.1000, x4609, or email ptattendance@sduhsd.net with all of the following information:
1. Student's first and last name.
2. Your name and relationship to the student.
3. The date of the absence.
4. The reason for the absence.
- For absences related to illness, please call or email EACH DAY THAT THE STUDENT IS ABSENT. **Please note: if your student is out for five (5) or more consecutive days due to illness, a doctor's note is required when they return to school.
- For personal business absences, such as travel, one call is sufficient with the reason and date(s) absent from school.
Please remember that if the reason given when reporting a student's absence does not meet the criteria outlined by the State of California Education Code (E.C. 48205), the absence will be coded as Parent Verified (X code), but will not be considered excused by the State.
Please feel free to contact the Attendance Office with any questions.
STAR Testing
With the passing of AB77 and SB98, schools are required to assess students for loss of learning. A team of district personnel, math teachers and English teachers worked together over the summer to research and vet a resource that could accomplish this task. The approved resource is STAR Math and ELA. STAR tests help teachers better understand what students know and can do in the areas of literacy, reading, and math. STAR tests are computer-adaptive, meaning that the level of difficulty will adjust based on student's responses. Teachers will use the results from STAR tests to guide their instruction and create necessary interventions.
STAR tests will be administered through students' math and English classes on Monday, August 31st, and Tuesday, September 1st. Teachers will be online in the Google Meet to help student login to the test and will be available for questions if issues arise. Students that do not complete the test in the time allowed should complete the test during Student Support Time that afternoon.
Feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions.
We've Got This, Wolfpack!!
Kathryn Freeman
Assistant Principal
Counseling Update
Hi Wolfpack!
We are so proud of your hard work this week!
To follow up on the Counseling Orientation video you saw on Wednesday, we wanted to be sure everyone had the SDUHSD Virtual Calm Room bookmarked for future use. We also created another way (in addition to emailing us directly) for students to reach out to us if you would like to schedule a time to connect. Students can complete this Pacific Trails Middle School Counseling - Student Request Form and their assigned Counselor will follow up via the preference noted in the form (email, phone call, or Google Meet). Both of these resources are posted on the PTMS Counseling website and are also posted in the Student Support Services Google Classroom - the code is c33lhc.
As we wrap up the week, take a moment to:
1. Think about one thing you are proud of that you accomplished in this busy first week of school.
2. SMILE.
3. Set an intention to do at lease one self-care activity this weekend.
Wishing our PTMS families a restful weekend!
A-R: Lisa Curry - lisa.curry@sduhsd.net
S-Z: Carsen Murt - carsen.murt@sduhsd.net
From the Learning Commons
Reminder: for security purposes, all student must set their own Google passwords. They should NOT continue to use the default password of their full student ID number. For information on how to change passwords, please see the Tech Hub website.
A Message from Yearbook
It is our goal to still cover what is going on with our students even if you're at home, but we need your help. As the year progresses, Yearbook will send ideas for stories we plan to cover and would like to collect your photos. Here are the first two optional assignments. We appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing your wonderful summer and first day of school photos! ** Deadline: September 4th **
All photos can be submitted here, or by emailing lauryn.gahagan@sduhsd.net with the subject line: Yearbook Photos.
Google/Aeries Profile Picture
PE Department Weekly Updates
Data Confirmation
The PTMS Webstore
To log in for the first time, you'll need:
- Username = your student's ID number which can be located in Aeries
- Password = your student's first initial of first name and full last name
Parents will receive an email when orders are filled and ready for pick up at the front office. Orders will not be shipped home. Office hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will need to check in at the Attendance window when you arrive at school.
From the PTSA
Please help us keep school programs and activities available by becoming a PTSA Member, or by RENEWING your PTSA Membership today. Click here to become a PTSA Member.
Other
- San Dieguito Alliance Parent Pledge - English - Spanish.
- Webstore - the PTMS store for PE clothes and Spirit Wear.