Monday Mail
Mashburn Elementary
A Message from Our Principal
Thank you Mashburn Family for the engaging lessons you provided for online learning, WOW!!!! You have so many great videos, resources, and engaging ways for students to learn while at home. I know ItsLearning was a bit slow earlier today, but the district quickly contacted ItsLearning and made sure we had what we needed to make sure students’ could access. Please let me know if you need anything. I know things change daily and I will try to keep everyone updated on all new information I receive. Please forgive me if one day I say one thing and the next day it changes because it seems things are changing that quickly.
We do know and you probably have already heard that we have one confirmed case of the coronavirus in Forsyth County. There is not much information out as of yet about the individual, but I want to make sure I keep them in my thoughts and prayers. Dr. Bearden stated in his e-mail that we don’t have any other information on this individual. As more citizens are tested, we can probably expect to see an increase in cases.
All statewide assessments have been suspended at this time- GAA, EOC, EOG, and GKIDS. I know it is out there but we are not going to share directly from the school, but if asked by parents it has been suspended. Jennifer will send an e-mail from LeeAnne Rice about statewide assessments with more clarification. The district may send something at some time.
I will be at the school this week each day, 7:30-3:30, so if parents need to come by to pick anything up, please let them know I am here. Custodians have worked all morning and they are cleaning to ensure we are cleaning all areas- your classrooms look really good as I know you all cleaned as well prior to leaving, thank you.
Again, thank you very much for all your hard work. Continue to stay calm and positive. Take care of you and your loved ones. Keep up great hygiene practices. I appreciate all you are doing to continue to educate students and provide authentic lessons. Thank you for working together and sharing great idea.
Thank you,
Carla
Devices for Students
Please share this with your families:
- Comcast is offering their Internet Essential program for free for low-income families. More information can be found here https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19. Not all students will be eligible for this program. Please share with any families that may benefit.
Action Item:
Email Carol Ann names of any students that need a Chromebook/Kajeet
Share Comcast offer with parents.
Extended Online Learning Reminders
As discussed last week, our extended Online Learning Plan does vary from our inclement weather plan. Please see the reminders below:
- Activate a plan for today titled School Closure Lesson for 3-17-2020.
- Post your lessons by 8:20
- Communicate to parents/students how to find the lessons and how both parents and students can contact you during the course of the day.
- Digital office hours should be held during normal school hours and should be posted in your course (planner, announcements, etc..) and included in any email communication sent to parents.
- Feedback should be provided for any work you’ve asked students to submit electronically.
- Assignment length should range from 20-30 minutes each.
- We will follow our normal specials schedule. Homeroom teachers should notify parents/students of today’s special. (Post this in your planner and notify parents in your email.)
- Any live instruction should be recorded and uploaded or linked in itslearning.
- Grading of assignments is acceptable, but is not required.
- You will not take attendance.
- Support staff may refer to the Online Learning Plan Staff Expectations page.
- Be flexible and sensitive to students’ individual situations.
- Extended School Closure Checklist
Grading Window
As of right now, grades are still due in Infinite Campus today. Carol Ann will be running a report and contacting any teachers with missing grades tomorrow. Carla is waiting to hear my guidance on this but please try to put in the grades you have. Thank you!
Action Item:
Sign off that you have entered grades by March 19th (virtually)
Microsoft Teams & Google Meets
Here are directions on how to use Microsoft Teams:
Google Meet
Google Meet is a video conference app that you can use as well to hold a digital meeting! Here is a tutorial for using Google Meets. Don't forget, you can use this with students! Simply start a meeting, copy the link, and post it in Itslearning. You can use this for small group instruction and conferencing with students.
Itslearning Permissions
Assign edit permissions to specific people or groups
Create folders for each student or specific students which only they can view/use
Give students permission to upload or edit within a specific folder
Assign different work to course groups
Modify work for ESOL, SpEd, Gifted or EIP students
Giving students permission to create pages (these instructions work for other elements as well)
FCS Grade Level Courses-More Ideas!!!
Recording Sheet:
Here's a document to help keep students on track in the case of an extended closure. You do not have to use this, it’s just an idea. This is just a summary page of what the students should accomplish each day, something to look back over in a glance. Again, NOT a mandate.
Learning Paths in Itslearning
Directions for signing up for the Training on Learning Paths in Itslearning:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ntm2Gy00RX2gHG6z5OvQ0g1SSIyu4-ZTaLwawbL8CmY/edit
Part 1: Student Experience in Learning Paths (video for teachers)
https://www.loom.com/share/a311dff8413749a3a7051769848fb8b7
Part 2: Teacher Experience in Learning Paths:
https://www.loom.com/share/39239fa857bb487a84f6ceef65c09dc3As always, please let Carol Ann know if you need assistance with these or if you would like for me to sit down with you and build a learning path together.
Action Item:
Review information on learning paths.
Teach & Record Tools
Each grade level should have at least one document camera for recording. Please let me know if your grade level does not have one. There are six doc cameras in the Media Center that are available for check out. You are also allowed to take home a Chromebook to use as a webcam in the event of an extended learning day.
Teach & Record Tools:
Junk Email
Junk mail is the primary ingress point for phishing/malware emails so compliance with filtering is a crucial piece of our defenses. With that being said, some emails from parents get tagged as junk and end up in this folder. Please make sure you are checking your junk email folder at least once a week if not more often.
Here are directions on Junk Email in Outlook 365.
Action Item:
Check the junk email folder in Outlook at least once a week.