NPMS Update
November 18, 2020
NO SCHOOL Thursday, November 19th and Friday, November 20th
Note from Mr. Gregor and Mr. Bell
Dear Families,
We have so thoroughly enjoyed having our students in the building during our hybrid model. We are really going to miss the students with our morning greetings as they enter the building and visiting with them during their lunch time. We look forward to when our students are back in the building again. We also appreciate all the support that families have given students and us during the hybrid model. The students have done an outstanding job following the mask and social distancing guidelines that were required of us.
While everyone in school has done a great job of following protocols we are no longer able to be in the hybrid model due to the rising Covid 19 cases in our counties and communities. We will be transitioning to all Distance Learning effective November 23, 2020. We will be all distance learning through at least December 23, 2020.
Please take some time to read through the information with your student and familiarize yourself with the distance learning information that is provided in this document. There are things that will look different from distance learning last spring. The move to building-wide Distance Learning will change things for ALL distance learners. Please note the change in class time schedules.
Our staff is committed to making Distance Learning the best that it can be and will continue to provide students with high levels of learning academically, socially, and emotionally during this time. We look forward to working with families as we transition into the Distance Learning model. Thanks again for your patience, flexibility, and understanding.
Sincerely,
Brad Gregor
Principal
Rick Bell
Assistant Principal
Attendance during Distance Learning
- Attendance is required.
- Students will take their own attendance on all school days through Campus Portal
- Parents/guardians should continue to report absences on the attendance line at 952-758-1405.
- Notifications will continue to be sent at 2:00 PM daily to students who have not "checked in" or are absent.
Student Responsibilities and Expectations
This information was communicated to all Hybrid students by teachers and principals.
All middle school teachers will utilize Google Classroom as their shared virtual learning space and will continue to do so during distance learning. Each teacher's Google Classroom will serve as a resource for assignments, materials, discussions, resources, and avenues for turning in work.
Students at NPMS will continue to follow the Group A & Group B Schedule. What does this mean?
@School Days = Synchronous Learning Days
Expected to log into the Google Meet found in Google Classroom for each class at the start of every class period.
Follow this time schedule for your classes
Teachers will keep track of students that don’t attend live google meets
If course materials are necessary, students can pick them up. Teachers will notify students if materials need to be picked up at the middle school.
Complete daily work and assignments by the due date assigned by the teacher.
Attendance "Check-In" via Campus Portal (just like @Home days)
@Home Days = Asynchronous Learning Days
Attendance "Check-In" via Campus Portal (just like you have been)
Expected to log into each Google Classroom "at home" day to complete whatever learning activities or assignments have been posted.
Complete daily work and assignments by the due date assigned by the teacher.
If course materials are necessary, students can pick them up. Teachers will notify students if materials need to be picked up at the middle school.
So for instance, if you are a B-day student on A-days, you are checking into each of your classes to complete asynchronous lessons and assignments.
Google Meet Student Expectations
Be on time for live Google Meets
Be prepared with materials and assignments
Participation- be attentive and focused
Communication- ask questions
Be respectful with your words and actions
Distance Learning Student Schedule
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning
Distance learning plans require daily interaction with students. Those interactions can be either asynchronous or synchronous.
Asynchronous interactions are interactions between individuals that are not real-time or "live." Asynchronous interactions are common during a typical @home learning day. (Examples include Edpuzzle posts, assigned texts and questions, recorded screencast of lecture or read aloud, responding to a peer's thoughts via Google Classroom, peer critiques, and email). It is important to note that not all work and learning during distance learning will occur online. Using analog materials such as books, paper, etc. is not only possible, but having a blend of learning mediums is preferred.
Synchronous interactions are real-time/live interactions. (Examples include chat features, Google Meet, Google Docs where students engage in live edits, personal phone calls).
Our plan provides opportunities for both synchronous and asynchronous activities. Because students are required to be at a certain place at a certain time, there will be a Synchronous Learning Schedule. This was developed to ensure that students are not being asked to be in more than one class at a time and to ensure that students have a balance of screen-based learning activities and analog learning activities.
Media Center Book Checkout
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-2pm
Students may briefly drop into the school library to browse materials and to check out.
Students may also request a book and pick it up at the Middle School.
Students should check out their media center Google Classroom for library updates.
Students in the Building
Academic Support
Students requiring help from teachers will have several options:
They may set up virtual appointments with teachers before or after school. Times are 7:15am-7:35am or 2:20pm-3:15pm. Core teachers are also available during their designated STEP class times during the day.
The school counselors and social workers are also available during the school day to meet with students during the school day 7:15am-3:15pm for academic and social/emotional support.
Other info
Teachers will make reasonable efforts to respond to questions and concerns within 24 hours. For example, if a teacher receives an email at 3:15PM on Monday, teachers will make a reasonable effort to respond by 3:15 PM on Tuesday. If a teacher receives an email on Friday at 2:00 PM they will make a reasonable effort to respond by 2:00 PM on the following Monday. All teachers will be teaching live sessions five days a week and will not be able to immediately respond to emails.
Students requiring clarification are encouraged to ask those questions during synchronous learning sessions or during school-wide office hours as they may not get an immediate response via email.
Classroom Materials Pick up
Calendar changes
Early Release Wednesdays Begin December 2
Planning time is needed to sustain this model begins on December 2 and will be every Wednesday.
All students (Group A, Group B, Distance Learners) will be released at 12:37 PM.
The building-specific schedule will be shared by November 25, 2020.
Click on the cohort calendar below for access to up-to-date calendar info.
Nutrition Services and Cafeteria Access
Nutrition services will continue to provide meals to students learning at home. This will be handled through a pick-up process at multiple schools across our District. This process will change for meals picked up on November 30 and forward. Details regarding curbside pick-up locations and times will be announced as they are finalized.
Meals will also continue to be provided for students attending childcare and students who may be learning in the school building. For meals needed during the week of November 23, please contact your building’s Kitchen Lead. Details regarding meals for students in the school buildings during the week of November 30 and forward will be communicated as they are finalized.
Conferences (1st time ever virtual)
Thank you to those parents who have been in contact with teachers regarding your child's progress. We appreciate your partnership!
Student and Families Resource
NPMS contacts
Email: rbell@isd721.org
Website: https://www.npaschools.org/middle-school
Location: 721 Central Avenue North, New Prague, MN, USA
Phone: 952-758-1400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NPMS721
Twitter: @NPMS721