The Cat’s Connection
September 2020 - Volume I
What's Happening at LaCreole
Greetings Wildcat Families, I hope this finds you well!
This week we were able to bring in our teachers, and we are excited to start this new adventure together with our kids! There has been a good number of changes to what we know as normal, and we are working through how to meet the needs of our kids in a distance learning environment. We feel good about our plan and are preparing for success.
As we work through our planning in the next couple of weeks we will be connecting with kids individually starting on September 14th. This will allow us to orient our students and families on how to navigate our new format and how to access our learning management system. Our focus will be on care and connection with our kids so that we can better serve them academically. Our school will be using a homeroom teacher to be a single link between school and home. Homeroom teachers will connect with students daily and assist in navigating their courses and activities.
Understanding Comprehensive Distance Learning
There's been a lot of talk around Comprehensive Distance Learning, something that's new to most of us. This week, I'd like to break down some of the terminologies we've been using so you have a clear understating of what it all means.
Teacher-Facilitated Learning:
This is an educational experience planned and guided by a licensed teacher. The experience is structured to develop, deepen, and assess new knowledge and understanding relative to academic content standards. Teacher-facilitated learning is often used when the teacher is planning for all students to have a common experience related to specific learning targets.
Asynchronously:
Teacher-facilitated learning may be accomplished asynchronously (not occurring in "real-time" with an instructor) through Canvas (online learning management system, teacher-produced videos, or other remote means. Each activity will be structured to create strong learning progressions.
Synchronous:
Synchronous (occurring "in real-time", with an instructor leading the activity) opportunities will be provided daily and may include full group instruction, peer interaction, two-way communication (e.g. phone calls), small group breakouts, or individual office hours. Synchronous opportunities will most often be conducted via Zoom during distance learning.
Applied Learning:
Applied learning experiences are designated for students to apply knowledge and skills that extend from activities, which may be provided by education assistants, teachers, and/or related service providers. These learning experiences are intentionally designed by the teacher to meaningfully deepen student engagement, allow for peer interaction, and to support family and community involvement. Applied learning experiences likely require scaffolding and supports so that students are able to engage with them independent of teacher or adult support. Applied learning experiences will be designed to support independent learning routines, practice, and application of skills or learning.
Glad you all are here!
Sample Student Schedule
Chromebooks for Students
For those students who already have their own device, please confirm it will compatible with the Canvas program:
- PC laptops (running Windows 10)
- Chromebooks (purchased no later than a year ago)
- Mac laptops (running at least macOS 10.15 Catalina)
- iPads (running at iOS 13)
Some Chromebooks that were distributed in the Spring may not be compatible, and we'll be addressing this when the new Chromebooks arrive. Again, we'll be sending updates as we receive them.
Canvas Learning Management System - Parent Training September 15th via Zoom!
Dallas School District will be holding a Zoom Parent Training to over over the Canvas Learning Management System. The training will take place on September 15, 2020 from 6 - 7:30 pm. Click on the Zoom link here:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82108972759?pwd=RDkxanRKS1ZLRFBWWGdmVUR0ZzZ5Zz09
Meeting ID: 821 0897 2759
Passcode: 727121
Student Bus Rider Registration - Due October 9, 2020
Upcoming Dates!
September
- Monday, September 14, 2020 - Comprehensive Distance Learning Orientation Week (all students)
- Tuesday, September 15, 2020; 6 - 7:30 pm - Parent Training Zoom Meeting for Canvas Learning Management System. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88687408186?pwd=dnFBWGsrc0I5T3FrZjlBdUhXdmxXdz09
- Monday, September 21, 2020 - First day of Comprehensive Distance Learning (all students)
October
- Friday, October 9, 2020 - No School, State In-Service Day
- Friday, October 9, 2020 - Bus Rider Registration Form Deadline. See https://www.dallas.k12.or.us/bus-information for details.
- Friday, October 23, 2020 - No School, District In-Service Day