Full-Year Distance Learning (FYDL)
Wednesday Newsletter #19 January 13, 2021
Welcome 2021!
Dear Full-Year Distance Learning Families,
Happy New Year! I hope your family enjoyed your winter break together. Although we may not have been able to see all of our loved ones in person, many families found creative ways to celebrate together, like spending time with each other over Zoom. My children decided they wanted to start a new family tradition, or an old one if you are my husband. Instead of making our traditional holiday meal that my family has always enjoyed together, they branched out and incorporated our summer favorites such as gyros, tzatziki, spanakopita, and the traditional Greek foods my husband's family cooks. We all enjoyed making and eating the new holiday meal together.
However, with the uncertainty we have had over the past year and the unrest of recent weeks, it is even more important to provide our children with predictable routines that provide comfort and consistency. The simple act of preparing a meal together, playing a favorite game, or going for a walk around the neighborhood means so much. When everything around us seems overwhelming, refocusing on our families and taking the time to take care of ourselves and each other help.
I want to wish you all many special moments with your family, filled with fun, love, and peace.
Cheers,
Nikole
Materials Distribution this Friday, 1/15 from 2 pm- 4pm. Location: Greendell Elementary
Some families will receive an email from their teacher inviting them to visit Greendell this Friday,1/15, from 2 pm -4 pm to pick up another round of supplies.
Please follow the "Walk-Up Instructions" outlined below.
*Remember, each teacher will email their families to alert them if this "Supply/Materials Distribution" is one you need to attend. If you do not receive an email, then you are not scheduled to pick-up supplies at this time.
Calendar of Future Supply Pick-Up Dates:
- February 12th 2-4 pm
- March 19th 2-4 pm
- April 23rd 2-4 pm
- May 14th 2-4 pm
- June 3rd 2-4 pm (last day of school)
Greendell School Materials Walk-Up Instructions
Please drive to Greendell Elementary and follow the steps outlined below:
- Please park your car.
- Please wear a mask.
- Please walk up to the indicated area on the map as "START HERE."
- Please follow the direction of the arrows. It is one-way only.
- Please pick up your child's materials, sorted by teacher, on the table(s) outside the MP Room.
- Please maintain 6ft distance from others at all times.
- Please return to your car once you reach the area indicated on the map as "END HERE" and leave campus.
NWEA for students in grades 2-5
Dear Parents/ Guardians:
This coming January, students enrolled in grades 2 - 5 will be taking MAP-Growth in mathematics, a formative assessment developed by NWEA.
What is the purpose of MAP-Growth in PAUSD?
Both in-person and distance learning rely on the formative assessment process for success. PAUSD administers the MAP-Growth in math as part of the formative assessment process to collectively shape instruction, and determine support or intervention, and enrichment.
MAP-Growth helps teachers understand what students know today, so goals can be set to improve growth throughout the year. Students cannot pass or fail this test.
This test will not affect grades. In fact, it’s normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly.
Given the challenges of learning from home, MAP-Growth test results are especially helpful for us this year. These results will help us know what students are ready to learn.
Steps to help prepare your child to take the MAP-Growth (Full Distance Learning Families)
During remote learning, there are challenges inherent in the formative assessment process. We need your support to ensure your child and their computer are prepared for the MAP-Growth.
By January 20th: With your child, click the following link and follow the instructions to make sure your child’s computer is set up for test day: How-Students-Take-MAP-Growth-at-Home-Grades-2-5.
Before test day, your child’s teacher will walk through the process of starting a practice test to increase comfort about the process.
On testing day, you may support your child logging into the test. However, allow the teacher to provide instructions. It is important that your child works independently without adult support. Please don’t help your child during the assessment.
Remember that the purpose of this assessment is for teachers to see what students are able to do independently, and what areas students need instruction.
It is important to note that formative assessment is a process, not a thing. Data from this year-long formative assessment process (1) helps teachers and students identify what students know and are able to do, and (2) helps students reflect on their own next steps for continued learning.
A note about remote testing: All NWEA tests are copyrighted material and no portion of the test shall be saved on a personal device (copied, screen captured, photographed, etc.), shared, reproduced, or disseminated, or modified without written consent from NWEA. Students may not use calculating devices or access outside resources during the test. PAUSD requests parent support in this area to ensure the results are as valid and reliable as possible in the remote testing environment.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
Thank you, Nikole Manou
NEW! Teachers College Reading & Writing Project (TCRWP) Resources for Families
Teachers College created three kinds of supports for families. One is a set of family videos that they will add to each week or so, another is a calendar of open office hours and family workshops, and a third is a set of book lists. All of these are available here.
Free TCRWP Workshop for Parent & Caregivers on Thursday, 1/28/21, from 1-3 pm EST
Join expert Teachers College Reading and Writing Project staff at our upcoming workshop day for parents and caregivers of students in grades K-8. Learn more about ways to support your child’s literacy education at home, what or how they are learning in school, how to best engage in home literacy projects, and more. Link to Register
In the next Newsletter, I will be sharing more information about the parent resources as well as offering a parent coffee to go over the curriculum with parents and how it is delivered in Distance Learning.
NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 18th!
School resumes at 8:30 am on Tuesday, January 19th,
Positive Parenting: Young Children Adapting to COVID
PiE and CASSY are pleased to present an evening about strength and resilience in young children. Learn how adaptable your children are and how they have been coping through the pandemic. Find out how resourceful and resilient YOU are! Gain new skills to encourage them to be more flexible in this ever-changing environment. For parents of children from preschool to 1st grade.
Presenters are Lisa Miller, Program Manager, and Eva Martinez, Clinical and Site Supervisor, from CASSY.
Thursday, January 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://pausd.zoom.us/j/98433958329?pwd=NHdtRVZ5aUc5MVFmaHlkM3AybXpQQT09
Meeting ID: 984 3395 8329 / Passcode: CASSY
Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten - Information for New Families
PAUSD Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten Information Nights. All families are welcome to join. The 2021 meetings will take place via the Zoom Webinar platform.
Below meetings are exactly the same, so parents need not attend both although they certainly may do so if desired.
- Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (Zoom info TBD)
Click here to see the presentation from Kinder Parent Info Night in January 2020.
REGISTRATION for 2020-2021
Registration begins January 4, 2021
Families with children who are not currently enrolled with PAUSD, and want to enroll a child to attend a PAUSD school starting in August 2021, must follow all the instructions at the PAUSD Enrollment web site starting on January 4: www.pausd.org/Enrollment. If you have any questions about if you should enroll your child, please send an email to RegistrationServices@pausd.org.
Reminder! Greendell for Attendance
The attendance email is greendellattendance@pausd.org. This is the best way for a parent to report an absence.
The office phone is (650) 856-0833. Voicemails left on this phone number will be forwarded to the Greendell office staff.
FDL What'sApp Group
FDL on Facebook!
NEW: Wednesday Newsletter will now be published bi-monthly.
Nikole Manou
Full-Year Distance Learning Facilitator
Instructional Coach K-5
Distict Office