Scarlet News and Notes
April 20, 2020
Assuring Learning Excellence and Readiness for a Changing World
Good Morning!
Thank you to all of you who submitted the check in survey. I do want to know how you are doing, so if you did not have time to fill it out, you can still do so. You will find it here. I miss all of you and am thinking of you often. I admire your commitment to make the best out of this difficult situation, and the dedication you have to teaching and learning. You might get tired of hearing it, but I think you are amazing, and from Facebook and Twitter posts, I think the public at large is gaining a whole new appreciation for the work teachers do. Thank you!
Here are the results so far:
Now that we are a couple of weeks into Distance Learning, how are you feeling?
71% responded, "I'm getting into the rhythm of a new normal, gets a little better each week."
22% responded, "It's going ok, but the "newness" is wearing off and I am getting frustrated at times."
7% responded, "I'm rocking this distance learning, and so are the kids!"
How many students have you been able to connect with?
59% said 90%
27% said 27%
11% said all of the them
2% said 50%
1% said 25% or less
How do you feel about your work load?
39% responded, "It is a little more than when we are in school.
35% responded, "It is about the same as when we are in school."
20% responded, "It is a little less than when we are in school."
6% responded, "It is overwhelming!"
The most common positive experiences included:
Talking/connecting with students over video chat.
The independence students are demonstrating.
Some of the students who struggled before are thriving.
Connecting/Collaborating with my colleagues.
I'm better with technology than I thought!
More time with my family.
Creativity with assignments.
What is your biggest concern about distance learning?
Social/Emotional health of students.
The students who are falling through the cracks.
Students who need more support and are feeling overwhelmed.
Maintaining a schedule.
Work/Life balance while working from home.
Student Survey Results
Distance Learning is:
54% responded, "Ok, but I wouldn't want to do this all of the time."
20% responded, "Not great, but it gets a little better each week."
19% responded, "Awesome, I'm rocking it!"
7% responded, "A struggle, I need help!"
How is the work load for distance learning?
44% responded, "I spend about three hours a day on school work." (this is what we recommend)
39% responded, "I am overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to do."
17% responded, "I can get my work done in less than three hours a day."
Are you able to connect with teacher when you need help?
64% Yes!
31 % Most of the time
4% Sometimes
1% No, I need help!
What do you like about Distance Learning?
The two responses that were most consistent were:
The flexibility
Nothing
What don't you like about Distance Learning?
Missing friends and teachers was the overwhelming response.
Second would be work/life balance.
Parent Survey Results
This time I included a parent survey. With a little over 200 parents responding, hear is what they are saying.
Distance Learning is:
57% responded, "Better than I thought it would be, but I wouldn't want to do this all of the time."
20% responded, "Awesome! My student is rocking this!"
14% responded, "Not great, but it gets a little better each week."
9% responded, "A struggle. My student needs help!"
How much time does your student need to spend on school work each day?
33% about three hours
30% more than three hours
28% less than three hours
9% My student is overwhelmed with the amount of work assigned.
The communication from the school/teachers is:
84% Manageable, I get what I need in a timely manner.
13% Lacking, I need more information.
3% Overwhelming, I can't keep up.
Message from our Custodians
Staff Meeting
Message from our APs
Note from the Assistant Principals
As we continue to improve systems with distance learning there are some strategies emerging that increase communication so that we can operate with the most accurate up to date information.
If your interactions with a student are limited and you are emailing the student to re-engage them in your course, try copying (CC’ing) the parents in the same message so that they are also aware of their child’s current status and progress.
If your interactions with a student are limited try reaching out to all of her/his other teachers and counselor to gauge participation and interaction.
Remember that phone calls and voicemail go a long way
Resources
Enabling call forwarding from your West extension
In order to ensure that ALL students including EL’s are getting equity in access to learning, please consider these ideas:
Make it super simple ( 1-3 step instructions per day).
Audio along with visuals - Showing students exactly what they need to do is
the BEST!
Less is more - Very few written words in instructions- opt for videos on Screencastify to give instructions (if students have to read through lengthy instructions it takes time away from the learning)
When appropriate (see student’s ILP) use alternative assessment methods and modifications
You can access a student’s ILP (individual learning plan) through campus. This will give you a list of modifications you can make to your content and ways to help students access your class content.
Video: How to find EL Modifications in Infinite Campus
Print: Accessing ILPs and WIDA ELP Standards Reports in Infinite CampusUpdates
All students now have internet access. I want to thank our secretaries for all of the calling they did in reaching out to families, our community partners who donated service, Andy and Mike for their leadership, Molly Fox for her continued work with those having difficulty. We really had only about 9 families during our first week that were without internet, and for the last week we were down to two.
Speaking of secretaries, Wednesday is Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day. Please join me in thanking all of our assistants and the work they do to support our Scarlet community. I know I don't know what I would do without Jodi!
Thank you to Mark Zenk! Mark has been using our 3D printer to make masks.
The Week at a Glance
Tuesday
PST Meeting 9:00am
Wednesday
Secretaries' Day
Thursday
Attendance Meeting 9:00am
Birthdays this Week
Happy Birthday to...
Emily Hintz - April 22
Taylor Wasvick - April 22
Mary Berg - April 23