Wildcat Weekly
September 28, 2020
Our Promise
Every student in Dallas School District is known by name, strength, and need, and graduates ready for career, college, and community.
Let's Do This!
We have done everything we can to prepare for distance learning. We have shown a great deal of patience and fortitude. When things don't go perfectly, be patient, things will get better!
We are in this together. The support that you have shown each other throughout the startup has been amazing. Continue this. When things get tough, lean on your teammates, when things don't go perfectly, support each other things will get better!
Remember we are about care and connection. Start there it will be enough!
Enough said, Let's do this!
Coming Up On Your Calendar
Monday - 9/28 - Day 1 Distance Learning
Wednesday - 9/30 - Team Planning
1:30 - 2:30 - PLC - Self-care and Attendance Adjustments via Zoom
WESTeam
WESTeam
Staff: Kayce Lilley, Roxanna Glang, Rhonda Hays, Linda Shryer, Julie Janssen, Matt Jackson, Tami White, Leanna Deters, Joyce Garland, Mike Hettwer, Kyle Mabry and Jamie Richardson
Useful Guidelines
Our Wildcat Educational Support Team (WEST) is here to support our students and teachers in helping all be successful. The team has been staffed by awesome people that have the ability to connect and support during this time of Comprehensive Distance Learning so nobody gets left behind.
Below are a few of the supports that we will have in place to assist in making connections.
Tech Support
We have the ability to meet some of the most common needs associated with technology.
If students are experiencing issues with Chromebooks or logins, the WEST Team is ready to help.
If students need assistance accessing a designated hotspot, we will be able to distribute as needs arise.
Engagement/ SEL Mental Health
We have people to help support ensuring our students stay engaged throughout this year. We have set a few basic guidelines to help know when to access support from the WEST Team. These are rough in that every situation will be slightly different. As we get to know the kids and their situations we will know more about just how much support they will need.
If you have attempted to make contact and not had any luck after three (3) attempts this could be something the WEST Team could assist with. We have access to information as to those students who did not engage during the spring and we could see if this is a pattern of behavior.
If a student has been absent for two (2) consecutive days and you’ve had no communication with them.
If you have concerns about the wellbeing or mental health of any of your students.
Academic Support
Though our adopted model for our district is Distance Learning, we will strive to accommodate students who struggle academically. The WEST Team will work with students and parents to navigate different resources such as tutoring or access to Limited In-Person Instruction.
Students who are disengaging academically, (not completing work and/or failing classes) we ask that you work together in your teams to do some initial problem solving to help students be successful.
If after your team’s initial attempts students are still struggling, please refer them to the WEST Team for additional assistance.
The WEST Team will communicate with their homeroom teacher any progress or plan to move forward.
Options might include further referral to meet the needs of the student, potential access to a Limited In-Person program to help keep the student on track, or a change of program that meets the student’s needs.
Our team will work with staff and students to problem solve how to best serve students on a case by case basis.
Revised Grade Scale for 2020-2021
Here is information and language you can use for communicating out grades to kids and families.
Note that these rules are for all models for this school year, and will revert back to “normal” for next school year.
2020-2021 Grading Scale:
90-100 Mastery - A
80-89 Exceeds - B
70-79 Meets - C
60-69 Nearly Meets - D
0-59 Does Not Meet - NP
Personal Management (PM) and Summative Assessment (SA) grades have been removed. Students will receive one overall grade per course.