The Hyattsville Herald
Hyattsville Elementary School's Newsletter: Vol:2020/Issue:5
The Holiday Season Is Upon Us
As we enter the Holiday Season, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect as we begin to look back at 2020 and forward to 2021. The year has been a challenge! We continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its lasting impact on our community. This impact has been substantially felt in our school and in the context of public education in general within our nation. We, overnight, went from an in person traditional school system to one that is 100% remote learning. Additionally, our nation has experienced a reckoning within its very soul that has caused additional turmoil across the country.
Yet, in spite of the challenges this year has seen, amazing progress has also come. We have seen the first woman elected Vice President of the United States of America. Additionally, Kamala Harris is the first person of Asian descent and African American to hold the office of Vice President. We have seen our country begin to reject populism and reembrace science, empathy, and kindness. Within our school district, we have become a one-to-one device school system, leaping forward into the modern age of education. Within our beloved school, we have a new principal and a new vision to guide Hyattsville Elementary to new heights of success and opportunity for all our students.
The struggles of this year are profound. Yet, it is through such turmoil we often see the most progress and change. We, at Hyattsville Elementary, stand ready for 2021 and all it may bring. We embrace the challenges and declare success! We embrace our uniqueness and are thankful to take this journey with you and to be a part of the amazing things that make our community distinctive and exceptional. We welcome 2021; We have Power in our Purpose and Strength in our Diversity.
Cameras On!
STAYING CONNECTED to your learning, of course, begins with logging into your Zoom classes on time each day and checking the Google Classroom for your assignments and submitting them on time.
However, STAYING CONNECTED also includes keeping your CAMERA ON! Your teachers can better know if their students are truly understanding the work or need help when they can SEE their students faces and expressions! It is a really important part of being ENGAGED during distance learning and helping your teacher help you!
So, find that quiet well-lit place in your house, log in to Zoom, and then keep your CAMERA ON so your teachers know you are CONNECTED to your learning!
December Materials Distribution Day
The following things are currently scheduled to be distributed on this day/ check on ClassDojo as the date approaches for times and updated items:
A. K-2 math manipulative kits
B. Art Supplies
C. 1st Grade speciality packet
Distance Learning will continue until further notice...
We are updating our Vision and Mission Statements
12 Days Before the Winter Holiday Break- Spirit Week
12/7-College Spirit Day (Staff and Students can wear College Spirit Gear)
12/8-Faith in Flakes- Everyone where white
12/9-Jingle Bells, Bells- Everyone wear Bells
12/10- Rudolph - Wear a red nose and antlers
12/14- Candy Cane- Dress in red and white
12/15- Grinch Day- Dress in Jeans and a Green Shirt
12/16- Its soooo cold: Wear a hat, scarf, or gloves
12/17-Mad About Plaid- Wear Plaid
12/18- Ugly Sweater Day
12/21- Festive Fun- Wear festive Holiday Gear
12/22- Polar Express- Wear your Pajamas
12/23- Holiday Hat
Reminders
2. Schools will be Closed for students on:
Friday; December 11, 2020 for a professional development day.
December 24- January 1, 2021 (Winter Break)
3. Schools are REOPEN on January 4, 2021.
4. Quarter 2 Progress Reports are released online via Family Portal on Wednesday; December 23, 2020.
5. STEM Night 1 will be held virtually on Tuesday; December 15, 2020 from 5:00pm until 7:30pm.
6. PTA Meeting : The PTA meeting for December will be Wednesday; December 9, 2020 @5:30pm. Join us then.
7. Free school lunches and meals for all families is due to expire at the end of December. Please make sure you fill out the Free and Reduced Meals application in this newsletter to have access to these benefits.
8. Internet safety Parent workshop will be held Wednesday; December 16, 2020 @5:00pm.
9. Hyattsville Elementary School's Virtual Winter concert (December 21, 2020 @5:30pm).
10. Principal Chat N Chew; (The focus of this meeting will be to allow our parents to ask questions and and have time to speak with the Principal. Please know any personal concerns or student specific concerns should have an appointment made for those issues to be addressed. A Translator will be available. Tuesday; January 12, 2021 @9:00am and again @5:30pm.
Virtual Winter Concert
Hyattsville Elementary School will have a virtual winter concert on Monday, December 21st at 5:30 pm. This will be a zoom gathering and videos of student performances will be displayed. We hope to see everyone there!
the Zoom link will be posted on ClassDojo the day of the concert.
Social and Emotional Learning
What is differentiation, accommodations, and modifications?
Based on conversations with our amazing families, we wanted to make sure that all our parents/guardians understood the basic differences between differentiation, accommodations, and modifications and who and when these can happen,
Differentiation is something all students can and should receive during classroom instruction, but not on assessments. It is actually the cornerstone of excellent teaching pedagogy. Differentiation changes the styles and methods of how an educator teaches their class based on who is in front of them. Most often, there is no change in the expectations of the grade level. Sometimes, a teacher may push students to the next grade level expectations through differentiation while still meeting the requirements of the current grade level. Likewise, there may be occasions when an educator will use remediation and scaffolding strategies to build students who are not ready for the grade level expectations in order to effectively meet them.
Accommodations are items that only some students will receive during classroom instruction and occasionally on assessments. Educators, at their discretion, can give any student an accommodation during classroom instruction only. Many teacher will use these to scaffold instruction and then slowly remove them so students can achieve. However, only students with specific types of education plans may receive these on high stakes assessments. Accomodations often take the form of extended time, checking for understanding, reduced questions, and other strategies to help students succeed and demonstrate their understanding.
Modifications are when an education plan is formally developed and changes what students are actually taught and what they learn. This is almost always done through the IEP or another formalized process.
Educators will often scaffold instruction with changes to expectations in order to build student's readiness to grade level expectations. However, this would fall in line with differentiation as the goal is to eventually meet grade level expectations by teaching the student foundational instruction that they may have previously missed. We often see this with our English Language Learners.
This is just a very short overview. However, based on your feedback, Hyattsville Elementary School will offer a session on differentiation, accommodations, and modifications for our families to increase their knowledge and understanding of what is happening in the classroom and why.
STEAM Parent Night- Grades 3-5
Hyattsville Elementary School will host a Family STEAM Night for grades 3-5 to help explain and begin to guide students and families through the process of a virtual STEM fair for this year. This event will take place on Tuesday; December 15 @5:00pm. Please check ClassDojo for links and additional updates.
Technical Support for devices
PGCPS heard from parents and guardians during the implementation of distance learning this past winter/spring 2020 – assistance was needed in the areas of technology, instruction, and other supports. Thus we have strategically designated locations throughout PGCPS where parents can receive assistance with technology, accessing and navigating platforms, and other troubleshooting beginning August 31, 2020.
Days/Times: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Parents may call 240-696-3315 during these hours to receive live assistance.
Locations:
● Benjamin Tasker Middle School - 4901 Collington Road, Bowie, MD 20715
● Charles Carroll Middle School - 6130 Lamont Drive, New Carrollton, MD 20784
● Drew Freeman Middle School - 2600 Brooks Drive, Suitland, MD 20746
● G. James Gholson Middle School - 900 Nalley Road, Landover, MD 20785
● Gwynn Park High School - 13800 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD 20613
● High Point High School - 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
● Northwestern High School - 7000 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782
● Port Towns Elementary School - 4351 58th Avenue, Bladensburg, MD 20710
● Thurgood Marshall Middle School - 4909 Brinkley Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748
If you need a password reset, please complete the form below:
Free and Reduced Meal Applictaion
Free & Reduced Meals Application: We are asking that every single parent fill out the Free & Reduced Meals Application by clicking on the link below. Hyattsville receives Title 1 funding based on these applications and we do not want to lose out on these funds! Last year we received over $200,000- therefore please, fill out the form even if you do not think you will qualify. This program is open to all families and this application process is safe, private and secure.
Distance Learning Essentials
P.R.I.D.E. for Distance Learning Matrix v.1
Perseverance
*Attend all my classes
*Make time to watch prerecorded lessons and complete my assignments
*Check my assignment due dates
*Do what I'm supposed to do before I do what I want to do
*Try my best at everything
*If something is difficult, don’t give up- try again
Respect
*Take turns
*Remain positive and have a growth mindset
*Make only respectful and helpful comments
*Pay attention to my gestures and facial expressions
*Treat my school issued equipment with care
*Be supportive of my classmates
Integrity
*Use my technology appropriately
*Turn in only the work I have completed myself
*As for help when needed
*Follow all Classroom procedures and expectations
*Take ownership of my actions, both the good ones and the ones I need to grow in
Dedication
*Be prepared with all materials needed for class
*Attend distance learning classes on time.
*Complete and turn in assignments on time.
*Have my technology ready to go.
Enthusiasm
*Actively participate
*Be engaged in the learning and the assignments
*Help others who may struggle
*Produce creative, thoughtful, and neat work
*Check my work before I turn it in.
+Expectations for participation are to come to class on time, actively engage in instruction, complete assignments, and put forth your best effort.
Attendance
Teachers will take attendance at the beginning of each day in SchoolMax, please refer to their class schedules. At the elementary level, attendance will only be taken at the start of each day. This is an update.
On days when students are unable to attend scheduled classes due to illness, parent work schedule, and child care; parents must communicate the reason for the student’s absence via email or ClassDojo to the student's classroom teacher. All work assigned during the student’s absence remains required for submission. Live recordings and student assignments will be made available to students via Google Classroom.
For Pre-K - third grade students who are unable to check in during live instruction, parents must ensure that the check in is completed before the next instructional day. If parents are unable to check in that day, please contact your child’s teacher via email or ClassDojo so assistance can be provided. For 4th and 5th, the expectation is students will be able to login independently and will be able to attend all live sessions.
During distance learning only, technical issues such as broken equipment or internet outages must be immediately communicated to the student’s teacher and designated school staff via email or ClassDojo so support can be provided as soon as possible. If a student is unable to attend class due to technical difficulties, they will be marked absent, but will have a code of technical difficulties so the absence will not count against the student.
A student will be counted as present on Wednesdays, in our SchoolMax system, if the student does one or more of the following:
○ Submit an assignment to one of their teachers;
○ Engage in synchronous instruction or tutoring with an PGCPS teacher;
○ Meet online with a PGCPS teacher or service provider; or
○ Complete work in our supplemental online education tools where applicable (i.e. DreamBox, i-Ready and iread.