Principal's Weekly Update
Volume 2 Issue 15 : November 1, 2020
Message from Mrs. Aulmer
I hope everyone has had a great weekend and enjoyed the extra hour of sleep by "falling back" an hour. I can't believe we are already in November! This means that we are three weeks away from our fall break (November 23rd - 27th) and we are two weeks away from progress reports (November 13th). Please login to Schoology and monitor your scholar's grades to ensure they are turning all assignments in on time. If you have any questions about grades or assignments, please reach out to the teacher and include your grade level Dean on the communication (K-2 Ms. Beatty, 3-5 Ms. Griffith). Also, please continue to stay safe and healthy as you complete essential errands.
Notice from Superintendent Karaduman: "At the board meeting on Thursday night, our Board reiterated its decision to welcome the EC and struggling students back to the school buildings for academic help during the second quarter. However, there is understandably a low interest among the families of EC and struggling students for this option due to the pandemic. Hence, we have decided to postpone this option until the second half of the marking period. In the meantime, we will continue to provide additional academic support virtually for students in need, where we will be constantly assessing their progress. We also request you to monitor their status by checking Schoology for grades and PowerSchool for attendance. After the upcoming progress reports, we will reach out to the families of EC and struggling students again to see if there is an increased interest in in-school help for the second half of the marking period. We will proceed accordingly."
Another item of interest was approved at the board meeting Thursday night. The board approved to install REME-HALO air purification systems in our buildings. This installation will be completed within the next two weeks. At TMSA's board meeting Tuesday night our medical consultant spoke about the system. You can also watch our medical consultant's statement about the safety conditions of our buildings.
If your contact information has changed, please reach out to our main office to update the information. This could be your address, phone numbers, or emails. Without this information it is hard for us to stay in contact with you. You can call 980-299-6633 or you can email Ms. Seeley
As a school we are implementing a new protocol for grades to try and help with communication. If your scholar(s) has/have not turned an assignment in then the teacher will put a placeholder of a "1" as the grade. This means the assignment was not turned in and is still being accepted. If a "0" is the assigned grade, then this means your scholar did not turn the assignment in and the assignment is no longer being accepted by the teacher. As a reminder, please check Schoology frequently to see your scholar(s) grades. Grades are updated each week by the teachers. If you don't see your grades updated, please reach out to the teacher.
I would like to request your help with ZOOM session etiquette. We know that attending school from home is not the easiest, however, we are asking that students have a quiet place set up in the house to attend their sessions. While in the sessions we are asking that students are dressed appropriately and are attentive to the teacher. We appreciate your help with this.
We have enabled Go Guardian on all school issued devices. This tool helps filter inappropriate content. Unfortunately, some sites our teachers use can be filtered using Go Guardian, like Youtube. If your teacher assigns a link and your scholar can't open the link due to this filtering, please communicate with your teacher so they can have the site whitelisted and accessible. Thanks for your support and help.
I ask that you follow the FAQ section below when you need to reach out to someone. Please make sure you are contacting the correct support person. This will help your questions and concerns get addressed quickly.
Thank you for your continued partnership with QCSS as we work to make this a successful year for all of our scholars!
Kindness-Character Trait of the Month
November 2nd - 6th: write a letter to your teacher showing appreciation for all they have done to help you during remote learning
November 9th- 13th: Write a letter to a friend or family member and mail it.
November 16th-20th: Canned food drive at school. Go through your pantry and collect some canned food/non-perishable items to drop off at school. We will collect the items (Monday-Friday from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm) and take them to a local shelter to donate from all students at QCSS.
Thanksgifting
Invitation from Christ Community Church in Huntersville, NC:
We want to invite you to attend Thanksgifting at Christ Community this year to receive a free bag of Thanksgiving groceries.
Each bag contains all the fixin’s for a traditional Thanksgiving meal: chicken, stuffing, vegetables, rice, mac & cheese, and more! This drive thru will be open from 12 PM to 3PM on Saturday, 11/21/20 at Christ Community Church in Huntersville.
Families must register by phone or online to receive a Thanksgiving bag (limit one per household).
1. To register by phone, call 704-875-8374 Mon-Fri from 9a-4p
2. To register online, visit www.christcommunity.com/thanksgifting
KEY CHANGES TO THANKSGIFTING THIS YEAR DUE TO COVID
● Thanksgifting will use an outdoor, drive-thru format
● All volunteers will wear masks and gloves.
● Thanksgifting Drive Thru will take place on Saturday (11/21/20) instead of a Sunday, as in previous years.
● The Drive Thru will be open from 12PM - 3PM.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Michael Byrd
Christ Community Church Pastor of Assimilation & Local Outreach
16301 Old Statesville Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078
Limit one bag per family. Guests must register online or by phone to be guaranteed a bag. Guests must attend Thanksgifting at Christ Community to receive a bag. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer transportation to every guest this year
School Counseling Schoology Groups
Our Guidance Counselor, Ms. Bagley, has created Schoology groups for our students to help students receive resources during virtual learning. The groups include Social and Emotional Learning activities, character education lessons, and much more!
If your scholar is interested in joining the groups, please have them use the access codes below to join.
The group access codes:
K-2 School Counseling Group: 3K54-K6KH-X746P
3-5 School Counseling Group: NQGT-WNHG-NVVX7
Flu Season
Shout Out a Staff Member
If you have a teacher or staff member that you would like to "Shout Out" or "Brag" on, please go to the the link below and give them a shout out. The little words do go a long way! Thanks.
Rooted in Reading Wish List
What's Happening at QCSS?
Monday, November 2nd: Character Ed. Read Aloud via ZOOM @ 8 am https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/92328153780
Wednesday, November 4th: Dine with the Deans ZOOM at 12 pm https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/94142291918
Wednesday, November 11th: No School
Friday, November 13th: Progress Reports and World Kindness Day-Spirit Day (please see flyer below)
Monday, November 23rd- Friday, November 27th: Fall Break; NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, December 2nd: Dine with the Deans ZOOM at 12 pm https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/94142291918
Monday, December 7th: Character Ed. Read Aloud @ 8 am https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/92328153780
Friday, December 18th: End of the First Semester; Half Day for Students
Remote Instruction Schedules
Please follow the schedule below for your scholar's grade level. Students' daily schedules will be from 9 am until 2 pm. There will be a time for students to complete assignments for their specials areas teachers, a lunch break, and time for homework/physical activity/ and or one-on-one time with their teacher(s).
Updated Specials Area Zoom Sessions
Instead of live classes via zoom, Special Area content will be delivered using pre recorded video instruction. These videos will be posted on Schoology for you to access at any time during the week. It is recommended that students focus on one special area video and assignment each day to stay on track. In addition to these video lessons, we will be hosting open drop-in hours. This way, if you need help with an assignment or concept, you can speak directly with the teacher that can help. This format will allow us to help you more and while adding a little more flexibility in your day.
There is no schedule as to which class you must attend on which day. You will be able to connect with any Specials Teacher for whom you have a question during your grade level’s scheduled time on any school day. When connected to your teacher, you may be placed in a waiting room, this is so one-on-one help can be offered. If you do not have a question or need help, then you are not required to connect with us on Zoom that day.
Kindergarten Drop-in time will be from 9:40-10 each day.
Coach Collins (PE): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/94250916616
Ms. Green (music): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/96061465494
Ms. Georgevich (science): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/98242488973
Ms. Richards (art): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/92328044054
4th and 5th grade Drop-in time will be from 10:15-10:35 each day.
Coach Collins (PE): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/689163250
Ms. Green (music): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/399062398
Ms. Georgevich (science): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/757386559
Ms. Richards (art): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/133633958
2nd and 3rd grade Drop-in time will be from 11:00-11:20 each day.
Coach Collins (PE): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/688008184
Ms. Green (music): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/876409698
Ms. Georgevich (science): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/257150974
Ms. Richards (art): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/475202787
1st grade Drop-in time will be from 11:30-11:50 each day.
Coach Collins (PE): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/387283263
Ms. Green (music): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/837179332
Ms. Georgevich (science): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/981570434
Ms. Richards (art): https://tmsapcs.zoom.us/j/393445971
FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
1) What are the phone numbers for the campuses?
Elementary Campus: 980-299-6633
Secondary Campus: 980-321-7744
2) Who do I contact if I need my Powerschool login information and/or to update my contact information?
Ms. Williams – jwilliams@queencitystem.org
3) Who do I contact if I need my student google login information?
Mr. Bushman, IT Coordinator- sbushman@queencitystem.org
4) I need a chromebook, who do I contact?
Mr. Bushman, IT Coordinator- sbushman@queencitystem.org
5) My chromebook isn’t working/battery is low, what do I do?
Mr. Bushman, IT Coordinator- sbushman@queencitystem.org
6) I’d like to talk with a school counselor. Who can I reach out to?
Ms. Bagley: kbagley@queencitystem.org
7) Are there any resources for parents to help with remote learning?
https://sites.google.com/dpi.nc.gov/remote-learning-resources/home/parent-resources?authuser=0
8) My scholar has an IEP who can I speak with?
Ms. Robinson: hrobinson@queencitystem.org
9) My scholar has a 504, who can I speak with?
Ms. Bagley: kbagley@queencitystem.org
10) Can we use a tablet for virtual instruction?
As long as you are able to access ZOOM, Schoology, and any other platform the teacher will be using.
11) Will speech therapy or occupational therapy be remote as well?
Yes, the service provider for speech and OT will be reaching out to families soon. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Robinson.
12) Will tutoring be offered?
Yes, please reach out to your scholar(s) teacher(s) to discuss options
13) How does my scholar access Schoology?
You must use the following website: queencitystem.schoology.com
-If you received a chromebook from the school, your scholar will be logged in when they enter the website above.
-If you are using a personal device, then you will need to make sure you are logged in with your QCSS Google information.
-Codes are not needed to access classes in Schoology. All class schedules are pulled from PowerSchool.
Video to show you how to login.
14) When I log in to Powerschool I see my student's grades from last year, how do I see this year's grades?
If you are using the app you may need to log out completely and sign back in to refresh the data.
15) My scholar attends the secondary campus who is the principal?
Mr. Alkan is the principal for the secondary school. You can reach him at malkan@queencitystem.org
16) My elementary scholar has four (4) special area classes assigned to them. How do I know what class to tell them to attend daily?
This is up to you and your child. The scholar must complete one (1) assignment per class each week. We suggest that you make a schedule together and stick to that schedule. An example is: Monday- music, Tuesday- Art, Wednesday- PE, Thursday- STEM Class.
Remember that your first point of contact should be your scholar's teacher(s). If you have questions about navigating platforms, assignments, or grades, please reach out to the teacher via email. Also, please utilize the school's website for distance learning information. queencitystem.org
Board Meetings
-Thursday, November 12, 2020 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
-Thursday, December 10, 2020 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
-Thursday, February 4, 2021 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
-Thursday, March 4, 2021 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
-Thursday, April 1, 2021 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
-Thursday, May 6, 2021 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
-Thursday, June 3, 2021 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
Box Tops for Education
THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOX TOPS IS HERE.
Box Tops is changing to fit today's families. The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online.
Please download the Box Tops for Education App from your App store, sign up, connect with QCSS and begin earning money for the school.
About Us
Email: info@queencitystem.org
Website: www.queencitystem.org
Location: 8701 Mallard Creek Road, Charlotte, NC, USA
Phone: (980)299-6633
Facebook: facebook.com/queencitystemschool
Twitter: @twitter_QueenCitySTEM