Falcons First
Blair Oaks Middle School ~ March 18, 2020
Home Learning Outline
- Teacher Availability: Blair Oaks Middle School teachers will all be available from 9:00am-11:00am each day to answer any questions or provide direct support remotely. Students and families are encouraged to reach out at any point throughout the day or evening if you need assistance. Please allow some grace and patience with responses. Some may be available to answer immediately, while others may be delayed. I have asked that staff members respond to student and parent emails within 24 hours. If you still have a situation that hasn't been answered/resolved, please email me directly and I will help coordinate efforts to provide the support needed.
- Counselor availability: Mrs. Stokes plans to be available to chat or video chat with your students from 8:00am-3:00pm daily. She will balance her availability with the needs of her kids at home. Let your kids know to be patient if waiting to chat with her.
- Grading: Assignments will be posted in Power School. No point value will be assigned during this time. For tracking purposes, teachers will mark "Collected" when turned in. "Incomplete" for assignment only partially completed or not done. "Missing" if not turned in within the week span.
- Common Questions:
- How do I know what they need to work on? All teachers grades 6, 7, and 8 will be posting on the Planner Checks. Link can be found on our school website (see below). All teachers will also be posting in Google Classroom - additional links and resources can be accessed there. A visual on how to access Planner Checks is provided below. Note: Planner Checks is not appliable to 5th grade.
Blair Oaks Middle School Website
- Do I have to have a paper copy if we have the internet? No, paper copies are available for those that don't have internet access. The paper packet is an alternative to our virtual learning established through Google Classroom. If you plan to pick up a paper copy and have a moment to email me, we will have it ready for a quick pick up. We can also email a link for you to print from home if you have the capability to do so. Just reach out and let us know what works best for you.
- What do I do if the Chromebook stops working or it ends up that we now need one? You may check-out or exchange Chromebooks during posted office hours.
Planner Checks
5th Grade
- Core classes (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) 30 minutes daily
- Art: 30 minutes a week
- Music: 30 minutes a week; Music Listening Log; Listening Journal
- PE: 20 minutes, 3 times a week
- Computers: 30 minutes a week
- Additional Options:
AR and A-Math (can take tests at home, email teachers if you need one assigned)
Daniel’s Story Read Aloud (videos/link will be posted in Google Classroom)
6th Grade
- Core classes (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) 30 minutes daily
For the next 5-6 weeks, sixth grade ELA students are participating in literature groups (book clubs for students). Last week, students voted on their favorite books and I assigned groups based on those votes. Groups are made up of 4 students, each reading the same book. This week, students worked together to make reading schedules so that they are all reading the same pages from their assigned book each week. After students read their assigned pages, they complete the Literature Preparation Page. I will meet with each group at a specified time once per week. Those meetings will take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday (based on the schedules we made in class) and will last approximately 20 minutes. We will meet virtually using Google Hangouts. I will work this week to set up groups and test them out. Students should be on the lookout for meeting times coming soon.
- Health: 1 hour per week
- Art: 1 hour per week
- Music: 1 hour per week
- PE : 20 minutes, 3 times a week
- Computers: 1 hour a week
- Library: read 60 min per week
- Band: 20 minutes practice every other day
- RtI: 20 minutes Moby Max, daily Google Classroom posts
7th Grade
- Core classes (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) 30 minutes daily
- Health: 1 hour per week
- Art: 1 hour per week
- Music: 1 hour per week
- PE: 20 minutes, 3 times a week
- Computers: 1 hour a week
- Library: read 60 min per week
- Band: 20 minutes practice every other day
- RtI: 20 minutes Moby Max, daily Google Classroom posts
8th Grade
- Core classes (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) 30 minutes daily
- Health: 1 hour per week
- Art: 1 hour per week
- Music: 1 hour per week
- PE: 20 minutes, 3 times a week
- Computers: 1 hour a week
- Library: read 60 min per week
- Band: 20 minutes practice every other day
- RtI: 20 minutes Moby Max, daily Google Classroom posts
Suggested Schedule Outline
Special Education ~ Note from Special Education Teachers
The easiest way to reach a learning specialist will be email. We will be answering emails within 24 hours of receiving them and will be checking email regularly.
Learning specialists will be online and available for email correspondence, Google Hangouts, and/or Zoom Chats from 9:00am-11:00am. Monday thru Friday.
Learning Specialists will also be online for Face-to-Face Grade Level Group Chats for Study Skills. This is available to our students with IEPs; however, not required or expected. This will be offered from 11:00am -12:00pm. using the following schedule:
Tuesday-6th grade
Wednesday-7th grade
Thursday-8th grade
For self-contained Math and ELA classes you will receive an email on Monday mornings describing your assignments for the week, and breaking those assignments into daily tasks. Assignments will be posted on Google Classroom.
Please remember that we are navigating this together and we are happy to help in any way we can! Set aside some time to study and work and also take time to relax and stay healthy.
Know that we miss you, but we are here if you need us and we will be checking in with you!
Mrs. Cassmeyer, Mrs. Dyer, Ms. Wolters
I need more for my child to do
Paper Packet, Chromebook, and Library Book Check-Out/Pick-Up
7:30-8:30am
11:30-1:00pm
5:00-6:00pm
Paper Packet: If you do not have internet, we have paper options available for pick-up. Packets will be ready each Monday during the times posted above. If you are not able to make it during one of the posted times, you may come during office hours (posted below). As stated above, we can also email a link for you to print from home if you have the capability to do so. Just reach out and let us know what works best for you.
Textbooks: If your child was absent from school on Tuesday, please email us if you haven't already and we will have their textbooks gathered.
Chromebook: You may check-out a chromebook for students to use at home. If you have a Chromebook that isn't working properly, you may also exchange for a different one during office hours.
Library Books: You are welcome to check out books during the allotted times as well. The library in each of the buildings will be open.
Office Hours
Paper packets, chromebooks, etc. are available today, Friday, March 20th if you would like to stop by today rather than waiting until Monday.
Note: hours may fluctuate as new information and recommendations come from the Cole County Health Department. We will keep you posted of those changes if/as they occur.
Kimberley Walters: kwalters@blairoaks.org
Meal Request
Papa John's Night
Note from Papa John's: We are committed to supporting our community, and our takeout and delivery options remain open and fully operational. We are closely monitoring the situation and following the guidance and direction of local, state and national officials in response to novel coronavirus. You can learn about the precautions we are taking in a letter from our CEO Rob Lynch, located here: https://www.papajohns.com/healthandwellness
Answers to Parent Questions Regarding School Closure
BMS Building Mission
BMS Vision Statement
Vision: We envision soaring to new heights through:
Academic Excellence
Character Development
Community Involvement
Leadership and Service
Kimberley Walters ~ Middle School Principal
Email: kwalters@blairoaks.org
Website: http://www.blairoaks.k12.mo.us/
Location: 6124 Falcon Lane, Jefferson City, MO, USA
Phone: 573-634-2053
Twitter: @BMS_Falcons