Findley Flyer 7/24/2020
Findley Oaks Elementary-Home of the Findley Falcons!
Message from Camille Christopher
We are just a few weeks from the first day of school. This will be a different start to the school year but I am hopeful that we will return face-to-face soon. It will not be the same staring school without our children inside of the school building. Our superintendent and board are committed to getting back to face-to-face as soon as it is safe. The safety and health of our students, staff, and community is a top priority. You can view the presentation from last night's board meeting here.
Our teachers and staff return on August 3 for pre-planning. During the two weeks of pre-planning teachers and staff will be engaging in professional learning and preparing for remote learning. Many of our teachers have participated in professional learning over the summer. For example, our Vanguard Team (instructional technology team) became Microsoft Innovator Educator (MIE) Trainers over the summer. This 10.5 hour training providing them with the skills to support our teachers, students, and parents with Microsoft Teams.
Hopefully this initial communication will help answer any questions that you may have regarding remote learning. I will continue to communicate frequently prior to the beginning of school. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our administration if you have questions. We are in this together!
Camille Christopher
Principal
Administration Team
- David Applegate- The Instructional Support Teacher (IST) coordinates programs and service delivery for special education students. He coordinates educational testing for students who are referred for special education services. Parents with questions about the special education process should contact the IST for information. applegated@fultonschools.org
- Cindy Lamb-The Assistant Principal who oversees student information (Infinite Campus, Parent Portal), grading, standardized testing, discipline. lamb@fultonschools.org
- Kate Hernandez-The School Counselor works with school personnel to foster a positive learning environment for children. The counselor assists parents in understanding children and in developing positive attitudes, techniques, and strategies essential for constructive child rearing. The counselor assists parents and children in obtaining special school and/or community services and helps conduct the SST and testing programs. hernandezk@fultonschools.org
- Renee Morris-The Curriculum Support Teacher (CST) Parents with questions involving curriculum, class placement, and diagnostic placement assessments are invited to contact the Curriculum Support Teacher for information. morrisra@fultonschools.org
3. If further assistance is still needed, contact the Principal, Camille Christopher. christopherc@fultonschools.org
Important Dates
July 29-School Governance Council (SGC) meeting at 3:00 pm. This is a live event which you can access here: SGC Attendee Link
August 3-Teachers return
August 5-Virtual PreK Curriculum Event-4:30 pm (link will be sent to families prior to event)
August 12 (new date)-Virtual Sneak Peek via Microsoft Teams (details included in flyer)
August 13-Distribution of student items for learning at home. We will be communicating the schedule for a curbside pick-up.
August 17-First Day of School!
Universal Remote Learning Plan
Universal Remote Learning Schedule
Per the district, we will follow the elementary school schedule. The guidance regarding the minimum number of minutes includes a combination of synchronous (live or learning that occurs in real time) and asynchronous (learning that occurs on the student's time with provided materials) instruction. Please note that the times allotted will be non-consecutive.
We are working to create a schedule with the guidance provided that will meet the needs of all of our students which will be shared with you in the coming days. Students will receive services such as TAG, ESOL, EIP, and Special Education.
- 105 Total Minutes Per Day
- ELA/Reading: 30 Minutes
- Math: 30 Minutes
- Specials: 30 Minutes (for PreK specials are led by the PreK teacher)
- Science/Social Studies: 15 Minutes
3rd-5th Grade
- 180 Total Minutes Per Day
- ELA/Reading: 45 Minutes
- Math: 45 Minutes
- Writing: 30 Minutes
- Specials: 30 Minutes
- Science/Social Studies: 30 Minutes
Elementary Expectations:
- PreK-2nd Grade District Provided Packets and School Developed Plans (we will include synchronous instruction for these grade levels).
- Learning packets will be available for ESOL and Special Education students.
- 3rd-5th-Daily Live Synchronous Instruction.
- Utilization of Microsoft Teams and iReady.
- Instruction Monday-Friday.
Grading Expectations
- S: Satisfactory
- N: Needs Improvement
- U: Unsatisfactory
- I: Incomplete
3rd-5th Grade
- A: 90 and above
- B: 80-89
- C: 70-79
- F: 69 and below
- I: Incomplete
Grading Expectations
- 3rd-5th will receive numerical grades.
- Grades based on accuracy not completion.
- Incompletes used in lieu of zeros.
- Minimum number of assignments for students.
Instruction
- Our teachers will use and create a balanced assessment plan to diagnose academic gaps.
- The Standards Mastery Framework will be revised to allow our teachers to embed spring 2020 prioritized standards into the 2020-2021 school year.
- Our teachers will regularly schedule synchronous lessons through Microsoft Teams.
- Students will use the Classlink platform to access applications like Microsoft Teams and iReady.
Communication
- Our teachers will post their assignments for the week in Microsoft Teams by close of business on Friday.
- Assignments will include the learning objectives for the week, due dates for specific tasks, and times when the teacher will be available for "office hours" via video or phone calls in Microsoft Teams.
- There will be video tutorials shared on how to access Classlink and navigate Microsoft Teams prior to the first day of school.
- Teachers will send weekly newsletters on Fridays.
Social/Emotional Wellness
Technology
- All 3rd-5th grade students will receive a device which will be distributed by the school. More information will be communicated.
- The board has approved to purchase devices for 2nd grade students, but those will not be available until a later date.
- Students will access their applications such as Microsoft Teams, iReady, and other Fulton County approved applications via Classlink.
- Parent trainings will be available on how to access the district applications.
Sneak Peek
- On August 11 parents will receive an email from the homeroom teacher. The email will include an introduction letter, their Universal Remote Learning schedule, supplies needed for learning from home, and other information.
- August 12 is our Sneak Peek event. We will have a staggered schedule so that grade levels do not overlap. Each teacher will be available for 45 minutes, so you and your child have the option to join at anytime within that 45 minute window.
- All Sneak Peek information will be located on a Weebly site and we will share this in advance. The site will also include PTA information.
8:30 am-9:15 am-KK
9:15 am-10:00 am-1st Grade
10:00 am-10:45 am-2nd Grade
10:45 am-11:30 am-3rd Grade
11:30 am-12:15 pm-4th Grade
12:15 pm-1:00 pm-5th Grade
1:00 pm-1:45 pm-Pre-K
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
To continue free or reduced price meal benefits for students each household must complete a new application every year. Free and Reduced Meal Benefits will end on September 28, 2020, if the household has not reapplied for SY2020-2021. If there is an interruption in benefits or the household does not reapply, the household is responsible for payment of meals until the Free and Reduced Application is approved. To help assure continuation of benefits, households must complete an online application by September 27, 2020, at www.fulton.schoollunchapp.com.