IHMS Weekly News
August 17 - August 21, 2020
Greetings from IHMS!
Welcome to the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year! No doubt, it is - and will continue to be - a distinctively different beginning to a school year. Over the past six months, each one of our Indian Hills (IH) families has experienced their child's schooling through a unique lens. Some families have enjoyed the flexibility that remote learning has offered, some have found it difficult to navigate, and some have had more pressing issues to cope with (economic hardship, health considerations, etc.). Regardless of where your family falls within this continuum, I want to assure you that our collective IHMS staff are excited to meet and/or welcome back each one of you to our fantastic school beginning the week of September 7 (Labor Day week).
Do I know what that week of school will look like yet? Only somewhat. Can I accurately predict what school model we will implement right off the bat on September 8? No. Do I have answers to many of the questions that you have racing through your mind? Probably not right now. However, what I do know is that we will continue to press forward as IHMS educators to fulfill our vision of engaging, empowering, and exciting all students to achieve at high levels.
It is important to note that whether you chose the remote learning or in-person model, you will have live classes with your teachers - either virtually or on campus. In addition, I want to assuage any concerns that learning will be once again "optional" this school year. We have accountability measures (curricular standards, grades, attendance, etc.) built into your student's learning.
Each week, I will send important information to our Indian Hills Middle School community through this newsletter format. Although there may be some recurring items that pop up from week to week, this is your best place to plan for upcoming weeks throughout the school year. This will also be a place where we ask for community input and involvement at times. We will need your digital attention and engagement more so than any other year, so please make it a priority to stay up-to-date with IH and district communication. In return, I will do my best to ensure that the most pertinent information is shared each week in a usable and friendly format.
I hope this message finds you and your family well. More information will be available in the coming weeks, but I hope you know that our IH staff members have your student's best interests at heart.
Blake Revelle
Principal
Indian Hills Middle School
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IHMS Learning Preference Numbers and "School Within a School" Meaning
Total student count for IHMS 1st semester learning preferences:
In-Person:
701 students
Remote Only:
210 students
As many of you probably saw in the Monday BOE meeting, the district has made the decision to have our remote students work as a “school within a school.” This decision means that IH teachers will teach Indian Hills remote learners - the exception being remote classes with low enrollment that may necessitate SMSD middle schools working together to create a section comprised of students from various schools. The “school within a school” decision also means that many of our teachers will be asked to take on both in-person classes AND remote classes within their teaching schedule.
We are working on generating a new master schedule that will meet the needs of both our in person and remote learners, and all of the SMSD Middle Schools are coordinating efforts to create the same bell schedule and align low enrollment classes. We are working hard to create as many win-win situations we can for our students and staff.
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Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) Information
Our school district has adopted Canvas, an LMS that will allow students to manage all of their respective class expectations, assignments, feedback and grades. This will be the one place students will go for course information. Once school opens, you will set-up your account. Teachers will provide instructions on how to navigate each of their classes in Canvas. Here is a link to a Canvas webpage with an overview video of what Canvas looks like from the student view: Canvas Video.
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Middle School Sports Postponed
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Safer for School - Week 1
As we prepare for the school year, please consider using some of the information below to help your student prep for a safe return to school. Our district and our IHMS nurse will be communicating many of these items in the coming weeks, but for the first iteration "Safer for School," please consider recommitting to social distancing measures and best practices. The more we can recommit ourselves to some of these simple practices, the safer our entire community becomes. If you need a refresher on proper social distancing guidelines, please click here for CDC guidance.
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Meet IHMS/Back To School Night Date Change
At this time, please ensure that you cross off the Meet IHMS/Back to School Night from your calendar originally scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2020. We will reschedule and communicate a new date as soon as possible.
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MacBook Deployment / iPad Return
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How do I Access Class Schedules, Skyward Verification Options, and Fee Payment?
You may remember that my summer packet had a list of dates that were of note regarding Skyward verification, your student's schedule, and fee payment. Unfortunately, as you likely have figured out, those dates are null and void.
Please wait to pay fees, complete Skyward verification, and view your student schedule until further notice. Your student's schedule will not be accurate in Skyward until September 4, 2020.