Grading

After numerous meetings of robust discussion, Superintendent Alicia Henderson issued guidance for secondary grading this week.

In an email to the high school staff, she said, “I want to thank you all very sincerely for engaging in the challenging process to come up with a grading framework for this period of school closure. I am aware that this has provoked many deep conversations as you have tried to follow the OSPI directives, including ‘do no harm.’ ”

Dr. Henderson identified a few instances where students may be given an incomplete, otherwise grades will be A, B, or C.

She said she has endeavored to interpret "do no harm" in a manner that recognizes the disservice to students if the district does not also ensure mastery of essential standards for sequenced coursework that is assessed by the state.

“This is part of a much larger concern that I have for our district as we consider the impact of school closure on reading, writing and mathematics at all grade levels, and how we must consider addressing this in the Fall 2020 and beyond,” Dr. Henderson wrote. “We must all recognize there is no simple answer to grading, particularly at this time – and there is no absolute right or wrong answer.”

Graduation

Jostens will be at Aberdeen High School for a special drive-up distribution of caps and gowns from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5. AHS Seniors should watch their email for communication from the high school on how this distribution will take place. Harbor High will have a separate announcement regarding caps and gowns.

Graduation for Aberdeen High School and Harbor High School will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 12. Details will come together pending updates from the state on closures and restrictions. The next update is expected the week of May 4, although it is expected that Gov. Inslee will extend the stay-at-home order.

There is a lot of planning taking place behind the scenes to ensure that graduation is memorable and uniquely Aberdeen. In addition, the Athletic Department is developing scenarios for announcing Winter Athletic Awards.

Senior Boards

Senior Boards are still required for graduation. Presentations will take place the week of June 1-5. Students should be communicating with their advisors on this important requirement.

Last Tuesday, our School Board approved a resolution for a reduced education program, which directs me to prepare a 2020-2021 operating budget that reduces expenditures to the level of reasonably anticipated revenues.

Although the state budget will be released in June, by law, the district must offer teachers their contracts by May 15. We do not have the luxury of taking risks, because we do not have a large fund balance that can serve as a safety net. We must take a conservative approach, designed to ensure the fiscal solvency of our district. Unfortunately, this has resulted in staff reductions.

The very difficult decision has been made not to renew provisional certificated staff. (A provisional teacher is either a teacher in their first three years of teaching, or a teacher who is in their first year of teaching in the Aberdeen School District.) Once the state budget is released in mid-June, we are hopeful that there will be enough funding to bring some of those positions back.

The effort is now focused on placements for our remaining certificated staff using the prototypical school model from the state. When that is complete, the focus will be on classified staffing levels.

Will School Reopen in the Fall?

We do not know the answer yet, and so must plan for three scenarios:

1. Current distance learning model
2. Hybrid model with both distance learning and modified on-site instruction (e.g. staggered attendance w/ controlled social distancing)
3. Traditional on-site instruction

Our distance learning model continues to evolve. We are using our time this spring to build capacity for distance learning, because it is unlikely we will return to a traditional model. The expectation from the state and our community will be for a quality online presence, and this includes a robust curriculum with effective and consistent student engagement.

The effort by teachers to build online classrooms practically overnight so they could communicate with students has been an enormous accomplishment. By fall, we will have one platform for distance learning, which should be good news to parents with more than one student in school, or more than one teacher.

We are working to improve our online instruction so that quality education can continue. The platform we have selected is called Canvas. It will be introduced this spring so that all of our teachers can use it consistently in the fall.

In his weekly online meeting with district superintendents, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal urged patience when it comes to what school will look like in the fall. He said that decisions on how to safely reopen schools are going to be very difficult. He also said "rural Washington might look different than downtown Seattle."

Feedback and input from the community is very important as we use this spring to enrich our district's online presence and prepare for different scenarios in the fall. Please share your thoughts with me at ahenderson@asd5.org.

Sincerely,

Alicia Henderson

The FFA at Aberdeen High School is keeping tradition alive with the annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale – although there are a few changes to observe proper social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit the AHS website for links to the online ordering form and to arrange a time to pick up your order. There are two options: pay in advance with a credit or debit card, or pay when you pick up.

All proceeds support our FFA chapter’s community service projects and student leadership activities.

The Aberdeen High School greenhouse is located at the corner of East 2nd and North H Streets. For more information, contact Mike Machowek at mmachowek@asd5.org.

The preschool is practicing distance learning this spring, too. In these photos, Michelle Weiberg's students show off their homemade musical instruments.

Early registration for Kindergarten and preschool continues. It is critical to the district's budget and planning process. If you have a student who will attend Aberdeen schools in the fall, please take a few moments to fill out the form. Official documents will be collected in August.

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The Aberdeen School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: David Glasier, Title IX Coordinator and Civil rights Compliance Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2222; dglasier@asd5.org; Dr. Richard Bates, Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2017; rbates@asd5.org.