Montpelier Newltr SY21
Volume 1. Issue 2.
Greetings Mighty Bulldogs,
I hope that you and your families are well and staying safe. Can you believe our first quarter will be ending soon, November 5. I am extremely proud of all our teachers and our students for their resilience and patience as we continue to strengthen our program daily. I also want to thank you our parents for all of your support. We recognize more than ever the true meaning of it takes a team to make the dream work. Having your child show up, emphasizing the importance of paying attention, engaging with the teacher and completing the work.
We had our first virtual parent coffee and a few take aways were to have teachers find more creative ways to still work but not always in front of the screen and how can we as a community reconnect.As you know this is a challenging time and we want nothing more than to connect so we will continue to get creative.
Please take a moment to review the most current updates below. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Working TOGETHER our scholars will be successful!
~Principal Carla Furlow~
Good News to Share
As October draws to a close, we received some important and positive feedback shared by our CEO regarding the virtual learning experience. If you didn’t see it yet, know that you are doing great- Nearly 70 percent of parents surveyed believe the distance learning services are at least “good” with more than one-quarter rating them as “excellent.”
Each morning we announce birthdays alone with a joke of the day. Ask your child about the joke - ha, ha. Our character trait for the month is dignity. Next month is gratitude. Ask your child what it means and if they can put it in a sentence. Congratulations to all of our Student of the Month nominees.
Distance/Virtual Learning SY21
Virtual learning tips for parents
- Provide a quiet space for learning preferably with their backs against a wall
- Provide your child with headphones, if possible to block out distractions around them
- Learn the virtual platform
- Encourage attendance
- Check SchoolMax regularly
- Communicate with the teacher
- Make sure your child completes and turns in all work
- Provide praise and incentives at home for effort
What time will school be in session during distance/virtual learning?
Scholars will participate in a full day of school, from 9:00am-3:25pm. Announcements will start at 9:10ama nd class begins at 9:15am. Scholars are late after 9:10am. The attendance policy, AP5113, will be followed during distance/virtual learning.
Attendance for Students during Distance Learning Instruction: Teachers will take attendance at the beginning of each day in SchoolMax.
Students are expected to be in attendance for class daily and present for each session.
Special attendance code used for students who are online learning.
After a certain day, require students to provide an absence note in order to be considered lawfully absent.
We are seeing a group of students who participate for a very limited time online. Please understanding that the learning takes place in the classroom by encouraging your child to participate in each lesson. We are monitoring each child's attendance and our PPW will be reaching out to families for support.
School Materials
Earlier this year we did our materials transfer. These materials are key in the success of your child's learning. Please house your child's materials by his/her work area for easy access when they are needed for the lesson. The teacher always shows and explains to their students what they will need, but we are seeing some students missing their supplies.
We also want to emphasize that as an alternate way to participate to always have extra paper and pencil by your child's work area. This is in case technology is not cooperating or your child is missing one of their materials but they can still participate int he lesson.
Chromebook/IPad technology support.
Our tech liasion is available at our school each Monday by appt only should you need support. Please bring your device, and screenshots of error messages. Don't forget your mask.
Grading for SY21
The 1st quarter ends on November 5.
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is committed to providing our students with an educational program based on instructional practices that are rooted in educational research and support student achievement. To support these efforts and establish a system where assignments and assessment both inform and drive instruction as well as provide an accurate measure of a student’s academic achievement, we will incorporate an equitable grading practice in every content area to ensure all learners’ academic success is measured with fidelity.
A systemic grading procedure provides guidance to administrators and teachers in the implementation of the grading and reporting systems to be used in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and Grades 1 through 12 in all elementary, middle, and high schools and centers in Prince George’s County Public Schools. As defined in COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) 13A.03.02.08, each local school system shall develop a written policy on grading and reporting. The PGCPS grading procedures have been developed according to COMAR regulations and outline a process so that all students can learn and achieve at high levels, rigorous performance standards and achievement standards are embedded as essential components of developing and delivering quality instruction, and regular assessment is an important component of an effective teaching and learning environment and an important tool in measuring students’ learning.
School-based administrators, teachers and students will be familiar with procedures to ensure that grading and reporting policies are applied consistently within their school for hybrid and virtual learners.
- Content supervisors reviewed grading factors (homework, classwork, assessments) for appropriateness for face-to-face learners/hybrid and virtual learners as defined by each of the three factors.
Teachers will collect a minimum of two grades per week for elementary/middle/high (per period/class) depending on the number of meetings/periods (please see Administrative Procedure 5121 for guidance below).
Assignments will remain the same weight for class work, homework and assessments by course/grade band and will receive a letter or numerical grade. DRAFT George’s County Public Schools Reopening Plan SY2020-2021 77
PGCPS’ Grading Administrative Procedure 5121 (listed below) was updated to include language geared toward expectations and updates in grading factors to include distance learning. AP 5121.1 Elementary School, AP 5121.2 Middle School, AP 5121.3 High School
The “N” grade language in Administrative Procedure 5121 was updated to indicate how an “N” grade is awarded for transfer students and missing quarter grades during distance learning.
In order to access progress reports and report cards this year, you will need to access the Parent Portal.
Absences Due to Technical Difficulties. When students are unable to participate in live instruction due to technological difficulties, the parent must alert the child’s teacher of the difficulty by email. Although parents may see “absent” in SchoolMAX for the day the issue occurred, the student will be considered “present” and coded as such. Students must submit all missed assignments.
Resources for Distance Learning. PGCPS has established a “help” page for Distance Learning that provides information regarding in person technology support, student engagement, and many other topics.
Will scholars return back to the building?
PGCPS will start the school year with full distance learning for the first semester. Students will participate daily in a full school day of instruction with classes aligned to Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements. Teachers will have the option of providing instruction from home utilizing curriculum documents and resources or using their classroom to provide instruction during the workday. Starting December 1, 2020, we will reassess the impact of COVID-19 on our state, county and school system. During this time, a parent survey will be distributed for input on the feasibility of transitioning to a hybrid learning model or maintaining the full distance learning model for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
A parent survey was sent out and this information will be used in determining next steps the county will take to return to school. Family Input
Hapara
A new platform teachers can use to enhance distance learning.
Testing Updates
For the Month of November, we will have several assessments going on. The students will complete their first Benchmarks of the year. One for Reading Language Arts, and one for Math. The 5th grade students will also complete one for Science. You can find the schedule here. Please read the parent letter in English here, or Spanish here.
Please avoid appointments that may take your child out of school during this time period. You can help your child by ensuring that he or she is physically and mentally prepared. Make sure your child has a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast. Help your child to have a positive attitude toward testing and there are no distractions around him or her. Teachers will be monitoring your child’s screen in order to make sure they are not on anything except their test. Please do NOT assist them with anything on the test as it will constitute a testing violation. If they need help with technology, you may assist them with that.
If you have any questions concerning the scheduling of these tests, please contact your child’s teacher.
The Distance Learning Tele Town Hall is rescheduled for Thursday, November 5 from 6 - 7 p.m. Parents will automatically get a call to join the town hall. You may also dial in at 855-756-7520 ext. 69047# or 508-924-5155 (Spanish-only line).
SchoolMessenger-Our New Call Out System
Please parents update their contact information. Parents can email the school registrar to update/change phone numbers in SchoolMAX. Phone calls from SchoolMessenger can go to the primary home phone number and/or to caretaker cell phones if they are listed in SchoolMAX. Emails sent via SchoolMessenger are delivered to Family Portal and student email addresses. If a parent is not yet registered in the Family Portal, they will not receive emails sent via SchoolMessenger.
Why is It Important to Vote
Staff, Students and Families. Please share with us why it is important to vote. You can share specific topics important to you but any party affiliation with be taken down. Thank you for your participation and conversations we are having with our students.
Upcoming Dates
Nov. 3 - Election Day - Schools and Offices Closed
Nov. 5 - End of First Marking Quarter
Nov. 6 -Professional Development for Teachers- 2hr. Early Dismissal for Students
Nov. 16-20 - Virtual Spirit Week
Dec. 4@9:30am Parent Coffee
Positive, Peaceful and Productive
Bulldog Pride