Howler
April 2020
Supplemental Learning at Walker
I miss you! It is hard to believe that just a few weeks ago we were all learning and growing together at wonderful Walker School. I hope this finds you all healthy and calm, and I hope you have been able to enjoy some family time during this strange "Spring Break."
While it's technically Spring Break for our staff, many of our incredible Walker teachers, educational assistants, Tech Department, custodians, Maintenance Department, Food Service staff, and bus drivers have all been working hard to ensure you and your children are supported through this time. I could not be more grateful and proud of our hardworking, dedicated, compassionate, and professional staff. Please join me in thanking them for their efforts!
At this point, we are not expected to return back to our building until April 28th per Governor Brown's Order. We do plan to begin providing "Supplemental Learning" on April 1st. Superintendent Raymond sent a message to all Ashland families last Friday sharing what this will look like for our students. Her letter is attached below for your reference.
Last week, Walker teachers adapted lessons and gathered resources for families to access online during the school closure. These lessons will focus on essential grade-level standards not yet taught in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math to build upon the skills learned in class so far this year. Teachers will be available for student questions and will provide feedback on your child's work.
Beginning April 1st, lessons will be posted to Microsoft Teams. All students have free access to this platform. Directions on how to log in and download the application are below. When you are finished, please complete the very short (3 question) survey below so we can provide support if needed.
Thank you for replying to the Tech Survey that we sent out last week! We know that some of you do not have all of the equipment (device, wifi, etc.) to get started with Microsoft Teams yet. We will begin reaching out to families starting on March 30th to provide equipment, if needed. In addition to posting learning materials online, print resources for those who need them will be available for pickup outside the cafeteria beginning on Wednesday, April 1st and each Wednesday thereafter.
As you know, we cannot possibly recreate all of the learning activities that occur throughout each school day. We will provide daily Math and ELA lessons, and we will also send links and resources for quality Science, Social Studies, Art, Social-Emotional, Music, and Movement activities you may find useful.
This is a huge shift for all of us. Please know that the health and well-being of your family is of utmost importance. In order to maintain a sense of structure and safety for your family, it may be helpful for you to create a schedule for weekdays that includes wake-up and bed times, school work, physical activity, play, and most-importantly family time. It is important that you do what is most realistic and healthy for your family. If you have questions or concerns, please communicate directly with your child's teacher.
Lastly, THANK YOU! Your patience, support, flexibility, and care is so very appreciated. Please tell your Wolves at home that we miss them and love them very much!
In community,
Tiffany
Principal
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Mission Statement: The Walker Community values diversity, empathy, and perseverance. We honor the entire learning process from mistakes to academic mastery. We teach our students to advocate for themselves and others. We nurture kindness, creativity, and wonder.
Accessing Microsoft Teams at Home
Free 90-Day Trial
Mystery Science
Movement & Mindfulness
- Movement, yoga, & mindfulness videos
- Downloadable curricular activities
- Recommended off-scree home activities
Emergency Resources for Families
Community Resources and COVID-19 Information
If you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services, dial 211 to speak to someone who can help. You may also visit https://www.211info.org/ for more information.
Utilities
The City of Ashland will not be charging late fees or discontinuing services for non-payment through April 30. For more information, you can contact the Utility office at utilitybilling@ashland.or.us or 541-488-6004.
Pacific Power
Pacific Power said it is "temporarily suspending disconnections and late fees for non-payment for customers in Oregon, Washington and California to support the state of emergency declared in all three states in response to the COVID-19 virus." Customers can call 1-888-221-7070 at any time to speak with a customer care agent who can help answer any questions.
Applying for Unemployment:
Anyone experiencing difficulty using the @ORemployment online claim system can also call the agency’s contact centers, where Employment Department staff can help with starting a claim for unemployment benefits:1-877-FILE-4-UI (1-877-345-3484). Online claims can be filed here: https://secure.emp.state.or.us/ocs4/index.cfm?u=F20200317A055946B89883528.6819&lan
Community Food Resources:
Ashland Emergency Food Bank: Ashland Emergency Food Bank will be open Monday-Friday 9:30am-12:30pm at 560 Clover Lane Ashland, Oregon 97520. Call 541-488-9544 or visit https://ashlandefb.org/for-services/ for more information.
COVID-19 Information and Online Resources:
Oregon COVID-19 Info: https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/coronavirus2020.aspx
Medford COVID-19 Info: http://www.ci.medford.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=4444
Ashland COVID-19 Info: http://www.ashland.or.us/coronavirus
Mental Health and Support Resources:
In the event of an emergency, call 911.
For 24-hour mental health crisis support, call or visit:
Jackson County Mental Health
140 S Holly St, Medford, OR 97501
541-774-8201
https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/Mental-Health/Welcome
National Suicide Prevention Hotline:1-800-273-8255
Crisis Textline: https://www.crisistextline.org/
Text HOME to 747-747
For assistance finding outside community services, including mental health services, please contact:
Camille Canty-Fischer
Options Care Coordinator
541-450-5035
For a list of current Mental Health Providers in the Rogue Valley, please visit:
http://www.mhren.org/pages/referral-booklet
For more information about Ashland-based community services, please visit:
Options for Helping Residents of Ashland 541-631-2235
https://helpingashland.org/services/resource-guides/
What can I do if my workplace temporarily closes because of coronavirus?
Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits may be available to those who are on a temporary layoff. These benefits occur for claimants whose employer stops operation for a short period of time, such as cleaning following a coronavirus exposure. In these cases, employees expect to be back to work in four weeks or less. Workers can get UI benefits, and do not need to seek work with other employers. They must be able to work, stay in contact with you as their employer, and be available to work when called back. For more information about UI go to https://www.oregon.gov/employ/Pages/COVID-19.aspx
Is anybody hiring?
In fact, yes. Fred Meyer and Safeway-Albertsons are all struggling to keep up with customer demand and want nearly as many workers as they can hire.
Fred Meyer has several pages of Oregon job openings on its website for all manner of positions. Safeway and Albertsons (they’re the same company operating under different names) says it wants to hire 1,000 employees immediately and has scores of listings online, from meat cutter to cake decorator. For job postings, visit: https://jobs.kroger.com/fred-meyer/go/Fred- Meyer/587600/?q=&q2=&alertId=&locationsearch=&title=&location=or&facility=&department =
If I contract COVID-19 (the disease associated with the coronavirus) on the job, am I eligible for benefits?
In that case, file a workers’ compensation claim. Visit: https://wcd.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx
Walker School
Mission Statement: The Walker Community values diversity, empathy, and perseverance. We honor the entire learning process from mistakes to academic mastery. We teach our students to advocate for themselves and others. We nurture kindness, creativity, and wonder.
Email: tiffany.burns@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: www.ashland.k12.or.us/walker
Location: 364 Walker Avenue, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 5414821516
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Walker-Elementary-School-178914108167/?ref=bookmarks