Englewood eLearning Newsletter
Important Dates
- December 18- 5:00pm- Report Cards will be available on Infinite Campus, Parent Portal
- December 18th-January 5th Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
- January 4th and 5th- NO SCHOOL
- January 6th- School Resumes for all K-6th grade students
- January 6th, 7th, 8th- ORIENTATION for all 7th-12th grade students (More Information below or view slideshow HERE)
Dear eLearning Students and Families,
Welcome to the end of the first semester! And what a semester it has been, to say the least. Not once in my career did I think that I would have the chance to become the principal of an entirely online school in response to a global pandemic. And yet, here we are. One semester into a year that none of us ever anticipated becoming our new reality. I hope you’ll indulge me for a moment as I reflect on the incredible journey we have experienced thus far.
Looking back on the past six months, I am astounded to see what people are able to do when presented with a challenge. Our task was seemingly straightforward in theory: design an online school that meets the needs of our students. And yet, the moment we began our work on that task, we quickly realized how intricate and complex this task was going to be. So many questions arose throughout the journey, and each one could be traced back to the most important question of all: how do we best meet the needs of our students in a purely online learning environment? And after thoughtful reflection, I truly believe we have set ourselves on the path to address that question. Was it easy at times? Of course not. Did we have the answers immediately? We sure didn’t. But what amazes me most is that we did not back down from finding a solution to that oh-so important question. What fills me with pride is that we did so together. Allow me to elaborate.
We engaged in conversation. We creatively presented ideas and critically analyzed data. We considered alternatives and examined opportunities. We listened to one another. We sought understanding and expressed empathy. We collaborated and supported each other. We questioned. We raised concerns. We showed gratitude, grace, and grit. We built an online school from scratch. And we did all of this together. Not just our staff, not just our students, not just our families… all of us. And it is that of which I am most proud. We all want to best meet the needs of our kids, and we have worked together to find that solution to that important question. We have worked together to create Englewood eLearning.
So while I may never have expected my professional journey to bring me to where I am today, I can confidently say this: I have never been more honored, proud, and grateful to be involved in something so uniquely special as Englewood eLearning. And I owe that to you, our students, and our staff. Together, we have done some unbelievable work. And that work will continue into next semester.
Take pause and reflect on what we have accomplished. You have been part of something very special. We will be ready to start back up in the new year. We are excited to share the changes we have made to make the eLearning experience even better. For now, it can wait. Surround yourself with those that matter most and find time to do what you love during this break. I know I will.
Thank you, and we will see you in January!
Regards,
Paul Whitaker
Principal
Englewood eLearning
Report Cards
Student report cards for Semester 1 will be available in Campus – Parent Portal at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18th
- Log into your Parent Portal account
- Click on Reports >
- Click on Semester Report Card >
- The report card document will open in a new tab >
- You will then have the option to print the report card or to save it as a PDF to your computer if you would like.
Kids Next Read
Reporting Absences
***If your student is going to be absent, please notify eLearning about any absences and NOT the student's Homeschool.
Use the forms below to report absences for the day or particular class:
K-6 Grade Absence Reporting Form
7-12 Grade Absence Reporting Form
If you need to speak to someone from eLearning regarding attendance please call- 720-679-1782
Internet and Device (iPad/Chromebook) Support
If you need technical support with internet and/or your student's device, please contact Englewood Schools Tech Support through email or phone.
303-806-6883
K-6 Schedule Changes
Winter Workout Club
- When: Mondays, 12/21, 12/28, 1/4, 3:15-4:00
- Who: K-6 students, parents, and all family members invited!
- Link:
https://zoom.us/j/93254822990
- Other: FREE, no registration required
Weekly Materials Pick up- will resume January 13
Location- 4101 S Bannock St. Englewood
***Remember to practice Social Distancing when picking up materials and to wear a mask.
Materials that will be available for pick up include-
- Required literacy resources
- Required math workbooks
- Art supplies
- Music supplies
- Whiteboards for K-3 students
Music
4,5,6 Grade Choir Club Performance
Art
PE
Winter Workout Club!
- When: Mondays, 12/21, 12/28, 1/4, 3:15-4:00
- Who: K-6 students, parents, and all family members invited!
7-12 Week at a Glance- January 4-8
Grades 7-12 Changes for the Spring Semester
Dear eLearning Students and Families,
Thank you for taking time to provide feedback regarding the experience you have had thus far. To best support the secondary experience, we wanted to share the changes we are making as a result of teacher, student, and family feedback. To clarify, we will not be dropping Edgenuity as our Learning Management System, and we will be proceeding with Edgenuity core classes led by our Englewood teachers. We will also be using Edgenuity Electives and AP classes led by Edgenuity teachers. However, we are confident that the changes below will support a better overall experience with Edgenuity.
Additionally, students will not be required to start Edgenuity classes until January 11th. However, if students would like to start early, they will be able to do so starting January 6th, 2021. All courses will be ready to go on that date, and students may get a head start on their work.
Please read below for a detailed synopsis of the changes we are making. These changes can be summarized in three points:
1. Edgenuity Pacing and Required Zoom Sessions
To better enhance and leverage the teacher-student relationship, we will be adjusting how Edgenuity lessons are provided.
Old Way: Provide access to Edgenuity courses. Students pace themselves and receive support from teachers accordingly.
New Way: Our teachers are developing a pacing guide of sorts that matches the Edgenuity lessons to days of the week throughout the semester. Essentially, our teachers are mapping out Edgenuity lessons to match our semester calendar. Students will participate in two Edgenuity lessons per week. Some courses will require additional asynchronous lessons, which will also be mapped out by the teacher. Students are required to attend all Zoom sessions.
How this Helps: Students will be able to stay on progress in their coursework, as the teacher will be leading the Edgenuity lessons during Zoom sessions. This will also help students maintain a progression that will ensure them to finish the course on time. Moreover, this will allow for targeted support, provided by an Englewood teacher, aligned to lessons that occur in accordance with the pacing of the course. Parents will be provided with these pacing maps.
2. Seminar Friday Replacing Flex Friday
Old Way: Students attend grade level meetings on Fridays and discuss important topics related to eLearning.
New Way: All students are assigned a seminar teacher to meet with on Fridays. In general, each teacher will have about 30 students that he/she will work with the entire semester. During Seminar Friday, teachers will meet with groups of about 8 students for 30 minutes each. For example:
Mr. Whitaker has 32 students in his Seminar class
8:00-8:30- Meet with 8 students
8:35-9:05- Meet with 8 students
9:10-9:40- Meet with 8 students
9:45-10:15- Meet with 8 students
How this Helps: This system will allow for targeted support outside of courses, including ensuring students remain on track and receive the support they need to be successful. It will also allow for relationship-building between teachers and students, something that was valued based on feedback.
3. Three Day Required Orientation on January 6th, 7th, and 8th for ALL eLearning Students
Old Way: Students started Edgenuity on their own, with support from admin and teachers as needed.
New Way: All students will be required to attend a 3 day orientation for Englewood eLearning. This will be a comprehensive overview of all expectations of students as well as an overview of available resources and support.
What this Looks Like: It is important that you familiarize yourself with what will be offered on those three days, as MANY questions will likely be addressed then. This information will be shared again on Monday, January 4th.
Secondary Schedules for Second Semester
On your Infinite Campus eLearning schedule, you will see your core academic classes and Edgenuity electives. If you do not see EHS online electives on your schedule, it was because those classes are no longer being offered online at EHS.
High school students may have up to two electives in their eLearning schedule. If you do not have two electives in your schedule, or if you need to change your current elective(s) please complete the Electives Request form below before January 4th.
Still need to make changes to Core classes? Or add to you schedule?
Once you have reviewed your schedule and the Course Catalog, if there are any changes you would like to request or classes you need to add please submit those using the Course Change Request Form.
*Please note that Edgenuity electives are taught by Edgenuity teachers, not by Englewood Schools teachers.
How to Access Student Schedule in Infinite Campus
The Schedule tool shows the student's schedule for Semester 2.
Log in to your Parent or Student Portal > Click on the Schedule Tab
Contact Us
Megan Walcott
Administrative Assistant
720-679-1782
megan_walcott@engschools.net
Becky Jones
Instructional Dean
becky_jones@engschools.net
Paul Whitaker
Principal/Administrator
paul_whitaker@engschools.net
Internet and Device (ipad/chromebook) support
303-806-6883