Griffin Middle Academy
At-Home/Distance Learning (Updated April 27, 2020)
Teaching and Learning Through the End of the School Year
It is now official that in-person learning has been suspended for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. Teaching and learning will continue for Griffin Middle Academy (GMA) students, however, just as it has since our last day of on-campus instruction March 13th. As communicated in previous newsletters, and below in this one, our primarily means of instruction in our remaining month will be through the online platform of Google Classroom. However, it has been communicated to us at both GMA and at the district level that some of our students do not currently have available to them access to a device or the internet. We have heard your concerns. In order to better meet your needs, the district is conducting a technology survey so that we can bridge this technology gap. If you have not already done so, please complete the survey below. In the meantime, GMA is also providing paper copies of all remaining lessons. Lessons can be picked up at the school daily from 10 AM - 2 PM and are due each Friday at the same time. Please feel free to drop by during this time to access your child's lessons or to address any concerns that you may have with the principal. Our only request is that social distancing protocol be adhered to.
Home Technology Survey
Providing our students with an optimal educational experience is Griffin Middle Academy's goal. Many parents have inquired about technology access. This survey is designed to help us evaluate our technology needs and how to better serve the families and students of Griffin Middle. The Home Technology Survey will gauge the home technology hardware and internet needs of our students to support at home learning. Parents, we are here for our students and we are here for you. Please help us to help you. We ask that you please complete the survey as soon as possible. All responses are confidential. Note: Please complete one survey per child.
Internet Access
Below is a list of technology resources available to teachers, parents and students.
INTERNET ACCESS Home Internet Offers
AT&T
● Offering two months of free service to new Access customers who order by April 30, 2020.
$5/mo or $10/mo thereafter, depending on your speed.
● AT&T has expanded eligibility for its low-cost $10 per month Internet plan, Access from AT&T, to households participating in the National School Lunch Program/Head Start.
● Waiving all home internet data overage fees
Comcast
● Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone
● Pausing our data plan
● No disconnects or late fees
● Internet Essentials Free to New Customers
Cox
● Limited-time, first month free for new Connect2Compete service, $9.95/month thereafter
● Until May 15, 2020, Cox is providing phone and remote desktop support through Cox Complete Care at no charge to provide peace of mind and ease for technology needs
Spectrum/Charter
● Free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
● Spectrum Internet Assist, a high-speed broadband program that provides eligible low-income households Internet with speeds of 30 Mbps.
● Charter will open its Wi-Fi hotspots across its service area for public use.
Altice (Optimum and Suddenlink)
● Offering Altice Advantage Internet solution free for 60 days to any new customer household
with K-12 and/or college students who do not currently have home internet within their
footprint. After your first two free months expire, you can either cancel the service (which you
can do at any time) or keep it as a regular paying Altice Advantage Internet customer.
● If you live in the Optimum service area, please call 866.200.9522
● If you live in the Suddenlink service area, please call 888.633.0030
Mobile Internet Options
PCs for People
● Offering nationwide high-speed 4G LTE internet service. Plans are prepaid with no credit check or hidden fees. PCs for People now ships all modems, so your devices should arrive in 3-5 business days.
● Plans start at $15 for 1 month up to $180 for 12 months Sprint 1 million project
● Providing assistance to school districts on implementing e-learning plans where there is a
need for additional devices to connect K-12 students without home internet access.
T-Mobile
● ALL current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have plans with data will have
unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming).
● T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers on smartphone plans with hotspot data an
additional 20GB of mobile hotspot/tethering service for the next 60 days.
● Working with their Lifeline partners to provide customers extra free data up to 5GB of data per month over the next two months.
● Increasing the data allowance for schools and students using our EmpowerED digital learning programs to ensure each participant has access to at least 20GB of data per month for the next 60 days.
● MetroSmart Hotspot devices will be half off, and the $35 per month data plan will include 20GB — double the normal monthly data — for the next 60 days.
Boost Mobile (Sprint)
● Customers will automatically receive complimentary international calling rates from the U.S. to countries defined by the CDC as Level 3 through April 30, 2020.
● Waiving reconnection fees for customers through April 30, 2020.
● Customers currently on an unlimited data plan with Boost Mobile, will automatically receive an additional 20 Gigs of mobile hotspot on their plans at no extra cost through April 30, 2020.
● Customers currently on a tiered plan with Boost Mobile, will automatically receive an additional 20 Gigs of data on their plans at no extra cost through April 30, 2020. No need to call or update your account.
Online Lessons and Printed Lessons Available for Pick-Up Daily
In the event that students and teachers do not physically return to Griffin Middle Academy (GMA) for the remainder of the school year, we will continue to provide weekly lessons to students for the duration of the school year. All GMA students’ state-approved, core instructional lessons (English/Language Arts, math, science and social studies) will continue to be uploaded into Google Classroom the Monday of each week. All year, GMA students have been accessing and completing their lessons each school day by using Chromebooks as part of our regular instructional program. This continues at home and from a distance. Teachers continue to upload their weekly lessons into Google Classroom (each Monday) and make assignments, students continue to complete their lessons and teachers continue to monitor student progress. However, for students who do not currently have internet access and/or devices, or for students and parents who may prefer the portability of physical copies of assignments, GMA has printed up five-week packets of lessons for you to pick up at GMA. Lessons are due to be returned to GMA each Friday, between the hours of 10 AM - 2 PM.
Once again, all GMA lessons are state-approved and are tied to academic success. The completion of these lessons is essential in order for you child to stay on-track academically and be prepared for the next grade level. The below links provide you with direct access to all of the instructional materials that GMA is using in the education of your child.
English/Language Arts (ELA) Lessons
Math Lessons
i-Ready Reading and Math Lessons
Google Classroom
Just as it has been throughout the year, Google Classroom continues to be our portal to learning. Each Monday, GMA teachers upload into Google Classroom students’ daily/weekly lessons such that there is a continuation of student learning during this time. Students continue to log into their school Google Classroom accounts each day, from home or wherever there is Internet access, and complete the lessons assigned by teachers. Teachers continue to upload daily/weekly lesson assignments and monitor and evaluate student progress, just as they have, and homeroom teachers continue to check in with their homeroom students weekly. Also, hard copies of lessons are available for pick-up from the school. The assignments and due dates are listed below.
English/Language Arts, Math and Spanish Assignments and Due Dates
Week of April 13th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 13 - Determining Word Meanings: Figurative and Connotative
Due: Friday, April 17th
Week of April 20th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 14 - Analyzing Word Choice
Due: Friday, April 24th
Week of April 27th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 15 - Analyzing the Structure of a Poem
Due: Friday, May 1st
Week of May 4th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 16 - Analyzing the Structure of Stories
Due: Friday, May 8th
Week of May 11th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 17 - Explaining Point of View
Due: Friday, May 15th
6th Grade Math (Mr. Pitts)
Week of April 13th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 16 - Algebraic Expressions
Due: Friday, April 17th
Week of April 20th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 17 - Equivalent Expressions
Due: Friday, April 24th
Week of April 27th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 19 - Solve Equations
Due: Friday, May 1st
Week of May 4th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 20 - Solving Inequalities
Due: Friday, May 8th
Week of May 11th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 21 - Dependent and Independent Variables
Due: Friday, May 15th
7th Grade English/Language Arts (Ms. Jones)
Week of April 13th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 4 - Analyzing Interactions in a Text
Due: Friday, April 17th
Week of April 20th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 16 - Analyzing Point of View
Due: Friday, April 24th
Week of April 27th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 17 - Evaluating an Argument
Due: Friday, May 1st
Week of May 4th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 18 - Comparing and Contrasting Texts
Due: Friday, May 8th
Week of May 11th
Assignment: iReady Unit 5 - Interim Assessment
Due: Friday, May 15th
7th Grade Math (Mrs. Allen)
Week of April 13th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 3 - Add & Subtract Positive and Negative Integers
Due: Friday, April 17th
Week of April 20th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 4 - Multiply & Divide Positive and Negative Integers
Due: Friday, April 24th
Week of April 27th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 5 - Terminating and Repeating Decimals
Due: Friday, May 1st
Week of May 4th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 6 - Multiply & Divide Rational Numbers
Due: Friday, May 8th
Week of May 11th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 7 - Add & Subtract Rational Numbers
Due: Friday, May 15th
8th Grade English/Language Arts (Mr. Petry)
Week of April 13th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 2 - Summarizing Informational Texts
Due: Friday, April 17th
Week of April 20th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 3 - Citing Evidence to Make Inferences
Due: Friday, April 24th
Week of April 27th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 6 - Citing Evidence to Support Inferences
Due: Friday, May 1st
Week of May 4th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 9 - Summarizing Literary Texts
Due: Friday, May 8th
Week of May 11th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 18 - Analyzing Points of View
Due: Friday, May 15th
8th Grade Math (Mrs. Johnson)
Week of April 13th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 6 - Understand Functions
Due: Friday, April 17th
Week of April 20th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 7 - Compare Functions
Due: Friday, April 24th
Week of April 27th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 8 - Understand Linear Functions
Due: Friday, May 1st
Week of May 4th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 9 - Analyze Linear Functions
Due: Friday, May 8th
Week of May 11th
Assignment: iReady Lesson 10 - Graphs of Functional Relationships
Due: Friday, May 15th
6th/7th/8th Grade Spanish (Mrs. Vargas)
Hola chicos!!
Please pick-up packets at school that contain all the activities that you can complete at home.
The activities will be carried out as follows:
6th and 7th grade:
April 27 - May 1:
Weather expressions - Study Spanish
Weather expressions - Quiz #1
May 4 - May 8:
Gender of Nouns - Part 1, Study Spanish
Gender of Nouns - Test #1
May 11 - May 15:
Gender of Nouns - Part 2, Study Spanish
Gender of Nouns - Test #1
May 18 - May 22: Cardinal Numbers 1 - 10, Study Spanish
Cardinal Numbers Test #1
Plural Forms of Nouns - Study Spanish
Plural forms of Nouns - Test #1
8th Grade
April 27 - May 1:
La ciudad y el campo #1
Mal corte de pelo #2
May 4 - May 8:
¿Cuál fue tu primer trabajo? #3
Lugar especial #4
May 11 - May 15:
¿Cuándo fue la primera vez que viajé en avión? #5
¿Cuál es la ciudad favorita de tu país? #6
May 18 - May 22:
Te gustan los deportes? # 7
¿Eras un buen estudiante? #8
If you have any questions, send me your questions by email mvargas@ecarrollschools.org I will open a group in Dogo to have the opportunity to be in contact very often or daily and just remimber I am keeping a record of every single assignment you do.
Mrs. Vargas
Spanish Teacher
Letter to Spanish Class from Mrs. Vargas
SPANISH CLASS
Hola queridos estudiantes !!
We are undoubtedly experiencing historical moments and many changes. My most sincere hope is that everyone is well and safe. Our school world will now become much more digital, and it is very important that we take advantage of this opportunity to gain real life experience on how to communicate with future instructors and/or employers by making our space a learning space using all available digital media. By Google Classroom or ClassDojo, I will be sharing the assignments that we will work on and the activities that you will carry out weekly.
For students who currently do not have access to the Internet or any device, you will be able to obtain physical copies of the activities at GMA.
You need to answer 2 stories per week, each story is divided into 5 sections. To give continuity to the work in the classroom, we will do it in the following way:
1. Watch the video as many times you need.
2. Identify the news vocabulary and write down the meaning.
3. Answer the questions about the video.
4. Complete the vocabulary quiz.
5. Finally, write the question and answer with your own information. This section will be 60% of your grade.
(Once you answer your questions about number five, take a picture and send it to me) mvargas@ecarrollschools.org
Comprehension exercises: 8 grades
Lesson
Week
Observations
1-2
April/27-May/1
https://aprenderespanol.org/audiciones/podcast-ejercicios-mp3-5.html
3-4
May /4 - 8
https://aprenderespanol.org/audiciones/podcast-ejercicios-mp3-5.html
6-7
May/11-15
https://aprenderespanol.org/audiciones/podcast-ejercicios-mp3-5.html
8-9
May/18-22
https://aprenderespanol.org/audiciones/podcast-ejercicios-mp3-5.html
Comprehension exercises: 6-7 grades
Lesson
Week
Observations
1-5
April/27-May/1
https://aprenderespanol.org/vocabulario/casa-mobiliario.html
6-10
May /4 - 8
https://aprenderespanol.org/vocabulario/casa-mobiliario.html
11-15
May/11-15
https://aprenderespanol.org/vocabulario/casa-mobiliario.html
1-6
May/18-22
https://aprenderespanol.org/vocabulario/casa-mobiliario-elemental.html
Just a reminder, I am keeping a record of every assignment that is completed or not completed. I have emailed to everyone.Please, if you have any questions or concerns, email me, and if you don’t have internet, your packet will be able for pick-up at GMA.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Vargas,
Spanish Teacher
JAG (Jobs for American Graduates) Assignments - Due Friday, May 15, 2020
7th Grade National Curriculum
Objective: Self-Understanding
- Communication
- Organization Skills
- Study Skills
- Decision-Making
- Character Development
- Team Building
8th Grade National Curriculum
Objective: Dreamwork
- Lifestyles
- Negotiations
- Career-Based Learning
- Leadership Development
- High School Transition
Griffin Middle Academy Instructional Staff Contact List Staff will be available for Office Hours by email, from 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM daily. Please allow 24 hours for teachers to respond. The principal can be contacted at any time.
Joyce Allen - 7th Grade Math
James Boykins - 7th/8th Grade Science
Shirley Dee - Read 180 Instructor
Issac Fields, Jr. - Assistant Principal
Biaster George - 6th Grade English/Language Arts
Sharolyn Gibson - JAG Instructor
Donald Hampton - 6th Grade Science/Social Studies
Oriel Hampton - Special Learner Inclusionist
James Jackson - Health/Physical Education
Lillie Jefferson - Academic Interventionist
ljefferson@ecarrollschools.org
Dorothy Johnson - 8th Grade Math/Administrative Asst.
Jocelyn Jones - 7th Grade English/Language Arts
jocelyn.jones@ecarrollschools.org
Jeffery Middleton - Special Learner Resource Teacher
jmiddleton@ecarrollschools.org
Sherrone Petry - 8th Grade English/Language Arts
LaKarven Pitts - 6th Grade Math
Christopher H. Smith - Principal
James Taylor - 7th/8th Grade Social Studies
Chandra Thompson - Read 180 Lab Proctor
Mariana Vargas - Spanish Teacher
Child Nutrition Program Resumed
The East Carroll Parish School Lunch Program resumed its meal service on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. The Child Nutrition Program is now providing meal packs twice weekly. Meals are available for curbside pick-up and delivery from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the below dates.
3-Day Meal Pack on each Monday. This includes breakfast and lunch meals for Mondays - Wednesdays.
2-Day Meal Pack on each Thursday. This included breakfast and lunch meals for Thursdays and Fridays.
Serving Dates for April are as follows:
April 6, 2020 - Monday
April 9, 2020 - Thursday
April 13, 2020 - Monday
April 16, 2020 - Thursday
April 20, 2020 - Monday
April 23, 2020 - Thursday
April 27, 2020 - Monday
April 30, 2020 - Thursday
District hotlines are open if you need delivery service. Please call 318-559-0325 or 318-559-6539.
We Are Here For You
If you have any questions or concerns, particularly as it regards how your child can access his or her lessons and assignments while we are at a distance, please see the East Carroll Parish School Board homepage (https://la02201178.schoolswires.net/) or reach out to me directly.
Thank you for your continued support, fellowship and understanding and to you our best wishes during these uncertain times.
Christopher H. Smith, Principal