Astro September Update #3
Dream big. Reach for the stars. Together we achieve success!
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
I have been so impressed with your students. In my visits to the virtual classrooms, students have been working hard and learning a lot of new tools. It is really impressive what they have learned how to do in such a short time. Students are becoming more independent with navigating online school and solving tech issues. Thank you for all of your support and patience during this time, it is greatly appreciated.
Teachers have been doing some assessments with students. The purpose of these assessments is to identify skills that students need to work on and the ones they already know. These assessments are sometimes done one on one in a Google Meet or in small groups and some of the assessments are assigned through our reading program, Wonders, and through the STAR/Renaissance website. I know it's hard not to help students when they do not know the answer to a question but just reassure them to do their best. We need to have the most accurate information possible to plan for their instruction.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to help.
In partnership,
Jennifer Robbins
Comprehensive Distance Learning Tips
What an independent learner looks like in Kindergarten -2nd grades:
- Accessing features of Google Meets independently (logging on/off, mute, unmute, video on, video off, utilizing headphones and other learning tools)
- Maintaining a home learning space
- Following daily routines (getting ready for the day, engaging in classroom routines, taking breaks, etc.)
- Asking for help
What an independent learner looks like in 3rd - 6th grades:
- Organizing assignments
- Ensuring work is complete and turned in
- Following a schedule
- Setting up personal routines and adjusting routines as needed
- Asking for help during class or from adults during independent work times
- Troubleshooting or accessing resources for support
- Collaborating with classmates/group work
- Using email, Google Classroom, Google Meets, etc. to connect with teachers
Support for Comprehensive Distance Learning
Learning right now has its own unique set of challenges (to say the least). Your child may be exhibiting extra challenges focusing, experiencing strong emotions or may even be reluctant to participate in learning. Things may go from being totally awesome to full on tears in a matter of seconds. You may even be experiencing something similar yourself. Now that school is at home, it can be hard to separate the role of parent from the role of supportive at home teacher. This is all normal and it is all hard! To help support you and your students during comprehensive distance learning, we've created a website full of resources, tips, and ideas to help, especially for the times when staying positive can feel impossible. Just like in our brick and mortar classrooms, students can access a calm corner to help them self-regulate, look through options to develop their own self-care or coping skills kit for managing large emotions and explore our tips for family collaboration to make distance learning successful. Need some extra support? We're a team, reach out so we can help!
School Counseling Website: https://sites.google.com/hsd.k12.or.us/ladd-acres-school-counseling/home
Student Success Coach Website: https://sites.google.com/hsd.k12.or.us/sscresources/home
Chromebooks and Hotspots
Chromebook Filtering
Chromebook Filter and Application Settings
Filter settings for district student accounts that are using district chromebooks are set by grade level. The most stringent filter is applied at the elementary level and the least stringent is at the high school level. More information about the filtering that is applied can be found here. This site was developed in the spring to provide information to parents/guardians.
It is not possible for us to set individual filters for each student based on parent requests. There are some at home recommendations also on the Student/Parent support site for parents to manage their student use of the device.
National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15th - October 15th
Students will need to login to access these books. The books are free to read.
Operation School Bell
Comprehensive Distance Learning Timeline
School Meals
School meals will be delivered by our school buses. Please use MyBus Student Route Look up to find your assigned stop and delivery time. You will use your student's school id number as the login and their birthdate (in MM/DD/YY format) as the password.
Upcoming Dates
Oct.8 No school - Staff Development
Oct 9 No school - Non-contract day
Oct 14 Back to School Curriculum Night
Oct 15 is our next PTA meeting @ 2:15pm (virtually)
Nov. 6. No School- Conference Prep
Nov 11 No School - Veterans Day
Nov 13 No school - Conferences
Nov. 11 - 24 Scholastic Book Fair online
Nov. 26-27 No school - Thanksgiving and Non-contract day.
Hillsboro School District Website for the 20-21 School Year
Ladd Acres PTA
Easy ways to support Ladd Acres
- Fred Meyer Community Rewards
Nonprofit code is QY860 to support Ladd Acres PTA - Amazon Smile
- Become involved in the PTA. Check out PTA Newsletter attached below
Resources
This is a list of a range of resources that are available in our community to support families.
Support Information
The safety and well being of our students is our number one priority and we are here to help, as well as our community partners. We know that the global pandemic has been challenging in many ways, including mental health of those in our community. Therefore we want to acknowledge Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as "Mental Health Month"), which has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. Many national organizations such as NAMI, Mental Health America, and other affiliates spotlight Mental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to stop the stigma associated with mental health. The Hillsboro School District also wants to spotlight and thank our local resources and organizations that continue to be available for support during COVID-19. Please go to https://www.hsd.k12.or.us/coronavirus for more information or for immediate access please call the agencies listed. (Admin: See above Support Sticker to post with this message). Our school staff are available Monday-Thursday for any assistance or questions that you or your student may have and we appreciate your partnership during these unprecedented times.