Principal's Post
ONE...Team. Vision. Goal.
Manchester Park Elementary
Home of the Timberwolves
8/4/2020
Staff Questions about Re-Opening
I will update this page with questions that I receive that pertain to all staff. Please also now that it would be good to check the FAQ section on the school district website, as they are updating that regularly. I will post questions that I receive if it might relate to you. Please know that information is coming and all of this will be subject to change...so please bear with us!
How many families are choosing the remote option?
We are at about 10% of our families that are choosing the remote option.
When will my class roster be finalized?
We will continue to add/take off/switch students as needed after enrollment. Hopefully, by the time that you come back, we will have a fairly good understanding of where we are. Again...this is not set in stone, so please do not be alarmed if students are taken off your list and others are added. At no point should this be shared with parents until it goes live.
When will we receive the master schedule?
I normally would have sent this out by now, but with enrollment occurring this week and some adjustments having to occur because of this and the pandemic…I will be holding on this for a little while longer. Once I feel comfortable with the district’s direction, I will send this out.
I have flexible seating? What will this look like?
Flexible seating is still an option for teachers that are wanting to do it. We need to make sure that we adhere to social distancing guidelines whenever possible. Other guidelines will probably come out as well. Also, fabric seating will need to be removed. This includes couches. Unfortunately, any large personal items like this will need to be taken home, as we will not be storing them at school. Any open classrooms that we currently have need to be left available in case we need to move students to them and items easily moved to accommodate this. Putting bulky personal items in there will delay the process of this. I am sorry for this, but something that we will need to adhere to use the space that we have to socially distance as much as we can and to be able to clean areas effectively. Please remove these by August 31st. I understand that you won't be able to do this on your own, so if you do need to bring someone up with you to move this, feel free. Also, please let us know if you need help getting it to your truck, etc.
How will lunch work?
We are still working on specifics, but we will have one grade level in the lunchroom at a time and utilize all of the tables (not just one side). We are working on adding a few more minutes in between grade level lunches so that the staff can clean tables. Students will have assigned seats and sit by class as much as possible. We will work on coming and going, but need to make sure that we are coming in and leaving on time to help with the process.
Will I get my plan time?
Yes.
Even though schools are open Monday - Thursday, will we still have PD in August on Fridays?
The PD schedule still being discussed, but my understanding is that all PD when you return will be Monday - Thursday in August and then will be back to normal the first week of September.
If we go remote as a school, will we utilize zoom and/or Seesaw?
No, you will be utilizing the new learning management system that Taylor and Melissa has been communicating with you about. Training will be coming during preservice week.
What are we doing about supplies?
Students will still be provided a supply list from the district, but we need to understand that there will be items that that parents are not going to be found (Clorox wipes, etc.). Once they are brought in, supplies will be kept with the student (not community). More info will come on this.
How will I know what to teach because of the amount of time that students have been out?
Curriculum Coordinators have worked with teacher groups since last spring to identify Priority Standards – those standards that provide the most impact for new and future learning – for each course/grade-level. Knowing that teachers will not have as much instructional time with students this year (student or teacher illness, quarantine for family illness, potential school closing, evolving building and district schedules, etc.) you will be asked to focus on their grade-level Priority Standards from the beginning of the year, and not wait until schools close. Teachers are encouraged to formatively assess readiness to learn these standards, as well as formatively assess during new learning. Summative assessments should focus on these Priority Standards as well. Research indicates that a laser-focus on Priority Standards by staff, administrators and support personnel (Learning Services) provides every student the best opportunity for a full year's worth of growth. The Priority Standards will also be used by teachers in the Remote Learning environment and can be found on the Learning Services website.
Returning to the Building
Some of you have asked about coming into the building. As you know, our guidelines are changing regularly, but I also know that you want to get into your classroom.
I think that it is fine to come in as you need, but please remember to do the following:
- Please adhere to social distancing guidelines.
- When you anywhere other than your classroom, please mask up.
- Please do not congregate in common areas.
- At this time, we are asking that only you come into the building and not family members/outside visitors. If this changes and we can relax this, I will let you know.
- The school building is open Monday - Thursday. Please try to stay away Fridays and the weekend for the time being.
Return Dates for Staff
New Educators - August 17th
Returning Educators - August 20th
Classified Staff - Please see the email form Jill Beckman on 7/29 for your return date.
Synergy and Learning Management System
Please check Taylor's email about synergy and the LMS that was sent out on 8/3!
You might have read the email from Brent Yeager and Learning Service about Synergy and the LMS. You are going to have access to this starting on Monday. The purpose of the access is:
1. Each school has staff that are getting trained in this in order to train all teachers. A huge shoutout to Melissa Woolery and Taylor Miller for agreeing to do this.
2. Allow you to explore the site on your own. Please note that you will have training on this, so don't stress about adding content and figuring it all out on your own.
I want to also reiterate that teachers will have access to class lists at this time but these will be changing once we have enrollment. Consider them "rough drafts". Edits will occur so don't start making class lists and labels. :)
Please remember that this is not information that will be online for parents and families until closer to the start of school and should not be shared by teachers because of the possibility of changes occurring.