Panther Updates
September 27, 2020
Principal's Message
Thank you for your patience and perseverance during the first quarter of the school year. Track out is just around the corner! As you know, the Board of Education will meet on Tuesday to further discuss plans for reopening school. I expect them to vote on a plan and communicate it to staff and families on Tuesday evening.
Principals are expected to receive additional guidance on Tuesday regarding scheduling as we move into Plan B. Once we receive this information, Kayla will work with the scheduling committee to have a draft to share with staff. We will also discuss how we will incorporate an asynchronous day for staff and students. We anticipate having a draft ready by Friday, October 2.
Kayla and Becky are serving as our COVID-19 coordinators. They will provide information to the staff on furniture, classroom configurations, how to handle COVID-19 exposures and review processes for health screenings with students. More details are coming soon from them.
I want to make sure all staff received information about this upcoming week. I've included the information from my email on Friday.
Monday, September 28
PUE Staff follows the Regular Remote Learning Schedule with Synchronous & Asynchronous Learning
Tuesday, September 29
Asynchronous Remote Learning Day PUE teachers provide students with independent remote learning tasks
Guidance from the district on these days is as follows:
Schools will prepare asynchronous instructional activities for students on the Remote Learning days that will follow the student’s instructional schedule. Students will be counted present on Remote Learning days by submitting an assignment.
Wednesday, September 30
Asynchronous Day PUE teachers provide students with independent remote learning tasks
Guidance from the district on these days is as follows:
Schools will prepare asynchronous instructional activities for students on the Remote Learning days that will follow the student’s instructional schedule. Students will be counted present on Remote Learning days by submitting an assignment.
*The intervention team will meet on 9/30 at 9:00
Thursday, October 1
Workday
Staff can do the following:
- PLTs can virtually meet to conduct long range planning for Quarter 2
- Teachers can work in their rooms
- Virtual PD
- Take leave
Friday, October 2
Workday
Staff can do the following:
- PLTs can virtually meet to conduct long range planning for Quarter 2
- Teachers can work in their rooms
- Virtual PD
- Take leave
October 15 and 16 are also workdays for most calendars (check your employee calendar to be sure). October 15 is optional. Plan B Teachers could use this day to set rooms up in preparation for students returning to campus.
On October 16 is a required workday. Plan B teachers and staff will review procedures for when we return to campus. Then all staff will be engaged in Virtual PD in the morning, that will focus on MTSS and choice self-care sessions. A schedule will be shared soon.
Announcements/Reminders
Reminder: Deadline for Online Professional Learning for Instructional Staff is 9/30
The four required professional learning courses to support instructional staff with blended and online learning will conclude on September 30, 2020. In order to complete the series and receive 0.6 CEUs in Digital Learning Competencies, participants must complete all items listed on the Checklist for Progression and Earning Credit in each course by the end of the day on September 30. If a course is not completed by the end of the day on September 30, participants will have to retake the course to receive credit. Partial credit is not available. New sections of each course will be available after September 30 for late hires. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to email Emily Mountford @emountford.
FAST Program (Families and Schools Together Program)
Please remember that we have classified employees from various departments (transportation, child nutrition) that have been assigned to PUE to assist with employee childcare. These employees will be available during track out should you need assistance with making copies or getting your rooms ready.
Pleasant Union's Virtual DanceFit Program
As you know, last year PUE participated in the Fun Run. Due to COVID-19, we've adjusted our program. We will have a Virtual Dance Experience for students. On 10/21, we’ll kick off our Pleasant Union Virtual DanceFit program!
Our goal is to raise $20,000 for Social/Emotional Resources & Technology and to strengthen our school community. This year more than ever, we need additional funds to provide an excellent educational experience for all of our students. We completely understand if your family is not in a position to financially support the school right now. You can still be involved by simply SHARING about our fundraiser with friends and extended family online at funrun.com. Sharing IS supporting! All students will participate in the Pleasant Union dance event, regardless of financial participation. We will also be following our school safety guidelines to ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone.
We appreciate your support more than you know. More details to come as we get closer to kickoff!
Required Annual District Staff Development Notification
By October 1 of each year, principals are required to share this district update with staff. See the link here.
Opting Out of Recorded Classes
At the Sept. 15 Board Meeting, a revision to Board Policy 4700: Student Records was approved. This policy, aligned to the Family Educational Records Privacy Act (FERPA), outlines how our student records should be managed.
The Policy 4700 revision allows students enrolled in any online class to access video (if recorded) of online class sessions, including text chats among all participants that are part of the recordings, upon request. The primary purpose is to provide “catch up” opportunities for students who are unable to access online classes in real time due to factors beyond their control. A secondary purpose is to provide opportunities for students to review online class sessions to reinforce materials covered. The recordings will only be made available to students in that class and should be posted in Google Classroom or Canvas ONLY. Students are not permitted to save the video by clicking on Add to Drive. Recording live Google Meet sessions is not required by WCPSS.
Parents have until Oct. 15 to submit in writing their choice to opt out of having their information (name, image, audio video) being shared through audio/video recordings. This document contains guidance for accommodating those students.
Employee Benefits/Open Enrollment
Please see the following information from WCPSS on Open Enrollment.
Mark Your Calendar
September 29 & 30
Remote Learning Days
October 1 & 2
Teacher Workdays
October 5-14
Track Out days for students
October 15 & 16
Teacher Workdays (16th is a required workday)
Pleasant Union Year-Round Elementary
Email: kbrown20@wcpss.net
Website: https://www.wcpss.net/pleasantuniones
Location: 1900 Pleasant Union Church Road, Raleigh, NC, USA
Phone: 919.870.4230
Twitter: @PleasantUnionYR