Parent Newsletter: Fall Edition 4
September 08, 2020
Spring ISD will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day
Please be advised that Spring ISD will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day. Virtual classes will resume and offices will reopen on Tuesday Sept. 8.
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Tenga en cuenta que Spring ISD estará cerrado el lunes 7 de septiembre por el Día del Trabajo. Las clases virtuales se reanudarán y las oficinas volverán a abrir el martes 8 de septiembre.
Tableau Temperature Check!!!!
Students were asked to create a tableau to express how they are feeling about online learning!
Welcoming Back our Safety-First In-Person Students
For those families who have opted for in-person instruction, we’re excited to start phasing back the return of our students. The district has a lot of information about the plan on their website at www.springisd.org/reopen but we wanted you to know the details for our campus.
We also wanted to let you know that the district is offering more flexibility for students to move from remote to in-person instruction. Rather than having to wait until the end of a grading period, parents will be able to make the switch at any time, keeping in mind that we may need up to two weeks to adjust staffing and arrange bus transportation. Students always have the option to move from in-person to remote learning.
Should you wish to make a learning option change, please fill out this form and then give us a call or email us.
Don't Forget to Attend your Grade Level Morning Meeting!! We Start at 9:40 Every Day!!
Morning Procedures for Students
At 9:40 AM. We will have announcements, updates from our administrative staff, and important information shared by our counselors. These sessions will be facilitated by the administrative staff and the counselors, and are the first mode of recording student attendance. PLEASE NOTE: Students should not arrive at their meeting before 9:15 AM. Additionally, please do not leave your child unattended in the morning meeting until a staff member is present. Please think of this link as the equivalent of our building. Students should not be left unattended until we open the doors, and supervision is present.
6th Grade:
A-L: https://meet.google.com/yvk-pnua-wcj
M-Z: https://meet.google.com/pmr-vboy-job
7th Grade:
A-L: https://meet.google.com/reo-hsnv-swh
M-Z: https://meet.google.com/zvk-zetf-qsq
8th Grade:
A-L: https://meet.google.com/fxs-ievm-vuf
M-Z: https://meet.google.com/agr-qmdb-ygi
Students without a schedule should email their grade level counselor. At this point, all enrolled students should have a schedule.
Camera Ready Check: – Teachers will monitor students at all times during the morning meeting. As they enter.
1. Welcome students to the meeting.
2. Prompt them to turn on their camera and drop their name in the chat.
3. Check their lighting, ensure they are dressed appropriately.
Attendance:- We will take preliminary attendance at the morning meeting.
1. If a student is absent, we will contact their parents.
Grade Level Secretary and Assistant Principal will ensure compliance and attendance.
1. We will call the parent of any student with: Camera Off and/or inappropriate attire.
2. We will contact parents if a student is absent.
3. We will contact parents if a student is tardy.
Beginning of Year Testing Continues Wednesday!
All scholars will participate in Beginning of Year baseline assessments. Student log in credentials will be provided by the 4th period teachers. We will also email the log-in credentials to parents and students.
The testing window will open soon, with assessments in the following subjects and dates:
- 8th Grade Science & 7th Grade Writing, Wednesday, September 9, 2020
- 6th-8th Grade Reading & English 1, Wednesday, September 16, 2020
- 6th-8th Grade Math & Algebra 1, Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Please have your scholar take time to practice, using the link here. Review questioning formats, tools and features of the online test.
https://tx8.testnav.com/client/index.html#login?username=LGN424158057&password=EC33GZLH
Beginning of the Year Testing Overview
SAVE THE DATE: Cross Country Informational Meeting
Cross Country Parent Information Meeting
Wednesday 9/9/2020 @ 6:00 PM
Meeting link: https://meet.google.com/wqr-ozjq-uvx
Contact information: Coach D. Green dgreen@springisd.org
Wednesday, Sep 9, 2020, 06:00 PM
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SAVE THE DATE: Pre-Season Volleyball Meeting
The meeting will be on Thursday, September 10th at 6:00 PM. The Google Meet information is below:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 304-441-0862
PIN: 317 704 934#
Thursday, Sep 10, 2020, 06:00 PM
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The Bailey School for Performing and Visual Arts Bailey Athletic Department COVID-19 Protocols and Procedures
At The Bailey School for Performing and Visual Arts we consider athletics a valuable option for students to enhance their educational experience in a way that is consistent with the mission of the school. As always, there are potential additional risks involved with participating in athletics. This is also true in the midst of the pandemic we are currently facing. Our coaches will take all practical precautions to help reduce the possibility of the spread of COVID-19. Screening of our athletes will be performed daily with a Covid-19 Screening Form, thermometers, and oximeters. The Bailey Athletic Department will implement the following protocols and procedures for our student-athletes, coaches, and parents.
Team Practices
Athletes may come into close contact with their teammates during practices and games, but the following steps will be taken to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 during the course of the season:
1. Coaches will make efforts to keep players 6ft. apart when possible, but some drills or activities may include being closer proximity to other teammates.
2. All athletes must wear a mask or gaiter when inside the building and not actively working out.
3. Athletes will be required to wear a mask or gaiter during both indoor and outdoor practices, except for the portions of practice that include conditioning, running, or other activities that include high levels of physical exertion. Athletes will be asked to follow the same guideline for mask listed in the UIL/Spring ISD Protocols and Procedures document.
4. For games, Spring ISD Athletic Department will provide gaiters as part of their uniform that will be worn before and after games, and on the sidelines.
5. Coaches will also wear mask or gaiters during practices and games.
6. Athletes must bring their own water bottle for practices and games. Water will be provided for refill and this process will be supervised by a coach.
7. Any equipment, such as sport balls, will be regularly disinfected during workout sessions. When a small group is using a particular piece of equipment, that equipment must be wiped down before being used by the next group.
8. Hand sanitizing stations will be available in the gym and on the field, and athletes are encouraged to bring their own sanitizer as well. Athletes and coaches should wash their hands or use sanitizer before practice and at regular intervals during practice.
Practice Schedules
The football and cross country teams will conduct practice after school and volleyball will practice before school. We will follow the following schedule in order to cut down on the number of students going to the locker room at one time.
The times below are when each team or group will be released to the locker room.
6:30 am 7th Grade Volleyball
6:45 am 8th Grade Volleyball
4:50 pm Boys and Girls Cross Country
5:00 pm 7th Grade Football (released with their position coach)
5:15 pm 8th Grade Football (released with their position coach)
Weight Room
1. The weight room will have no more than 10-14 athletes at any one time.
2. Athletes lifting weights will be at stations that are spread out a minimum of 6ft. apart.
3. In order to ensure safe breathing, when a athlete is actively lifting weights or using a machine, that athletes may remove his or her mask. Athletes that are spotting or waiting a turn, will keep their mask on.
4. Each athlete that uses a piece of equipment will use a towel and disinfectant spray to sanitize the equipment before the next athlete uses it. Coaches will monitor carefully that equipment is being properly sanitized. Towels used for disinfecting will be washed daily.
Transportation
When traveling by bus, athletes will be spaced apart at a maximum of one athlete per seat. No athlete will be sitting side by side. With this rules, our buses will be able to hold 20 athletes. Windows will be opened for increased ventilation. If an athlete rides the bus back to school after an away game, that student must sit in the same seat he or she occupied on the way to the game.
Locker Rooms
1. Athletes will be required to keep their masks on at all times while in the locker room.
2. Athletes will be issued lockers in a manner that spaces teammates out as much as possible, and students must make every effort to stay 6 feet apart from each other while changing.
3. No more that 10-15 athletes at a time will be allowed in the locker room at one time.
4. Athletes will be asked to move in and out of the locker room quickly as possible.
5. Coaches will be monitoring locker room at all times to ensure safety and social distancing.
BAILEY FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT HANDOUT PROCEDURES
DATE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH
TIME: 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM
LOCATION: BOYS LOCKER ROOM
Procedures
1. Check-in will be done outside by the parking lot.
2. Coaches will check for physicals and completion of Rank One.
3. A table and laptop will be set up for parents to complete Rank One.
4. Coaches will escort players one at a time to the back door of the locker room.
5. Only one player at a time will be permitted in the locker room.
6. Players must wear a mask when going inside the locker room.
7. Players will get fitted for their helmet, shoulder pads, and will receive a locker.
8. After this process is complete, players will be escorted back to their vehicles.
9. Parents will not be allowed in the locker room and must remain in their vehicles.
10. This process should take about 5-6 minutes per kid.
11. Carter and Applewhite will check-in and escort players.
12. Diaz will issue lockers.
13. Hammond and Sever will fit player for their equipment.
14. Green will meet with parents and answer questions.
National College Colors Day is This Friday, Sept. 4
All Spring ISD students, faculty and staff members are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite college, university or military academy this Friday, Sept. 4 in honor of National College Colors Day. Whether you want to show off your alma mater, give a shout-out to your dream school, or celebrate your favorite college team by sporting their T-shirt, jersey or ball cap, this is your chance!
National College Colors Day is a great chance to show our pride in the colleges and universities we love, while at the same time inspiring students and encouraging them to be lifelong learners.
Join in celebrating College Colors Day this Friday! If you’d like to share a picture on social media to help inspire others, tag the district and use the hashtag #CollegeColors to be featured on Spring ISD social media pages!
Tips for Proactive and Productive Learning This School Year
Spring Early College Academy AVID Coordinator Maria Martinez helps teach students techniques to be proactive in school. AVID is especially focused on college readiness, but Martinez says all students, regardless of grade level, can benefit from taking a proactive approach to learning.
Here are a few basic ideas that can help students be successful, especially while learning online.
Start with high expectations and a positive, growth-oriented mindset.
Maintain an organizational system. “Being organized is a life skill,” said Martinez, who recommends folders – real and virtual – and a binder to help keep items together.
Show up on time, engaged and ready to learn. “This may be a digital classroom,” Martinez tells her students, “but it’s still a classroom!”
Set aside a quiet, dedicated place for schoolwork, if possible. Aim for a comfortable spot to sit and work at. “But no working in bed!” Martinez said. “We sleep in our beds, so the inclination there is to want to drift off.”
Where distractions are harder to avoid, consider simple technology hacks like a pair of inexpensive headphones to minimize disturbances.
Write by hand. “There is no true substitute for writing,” said Martinez, explaining that students retain information more effectively when taking handwritten notes or working through material longhand.
Take breaks. Get up and stretch or do some other simple physical activity. “No human being should sit in front of their computer for five hours without any kind of movement,” Martinez said.
Keep water nearby and stay hydrated.
Take time for technology and screen breaks.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, whether related to the lesson itself or the technology being used.
Start a study group. Even a digital study group online with friends or classmates, Martinez said, can give students added motivation and help maintain a sense of connection and community.
Distance Learning, I'm New to This, Help!
Schoology: What is this?
Schoology is our online learning platform where students receive and submit their assignments daily.
How? You must log into the my.springisd.org portal FIRST and find the SCHOOLOGY icon.
Once you click the icon, you should AUTOMATICALLY BE SIGNED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. Log in DAILY and submit your class Exit Ticket for credit.
What if I’m having trouble with my log in account?
Your 4th Period teacher can assist you.
Do grades and attendance count?
Yes, logging into Schoology everyday and completing your virtual learning assignments are mandatory. Your attendance will be counted, and your assignments will be graded from there. You will attend each class on your schedule. You will have small breaks in between, time to work on your own, and consult with teachers during office hours.
Instruction from my teacher:
Your teacher has a live class link during your specific period. Log in to class for instruction from your teacher AND you MUST log into Schoology to complete your assignments.
This is the way we can track your attendance and help you stay on top of your learning as a team, together... virtually!
What does my school day look like?
You will follow your schedule found in the Home Access Center (HAC), under Classes. You will use the virtual bell schedule times to report to those classes.
I'm at home, can I wear my pajamas when we have class?
No. You are expected to look PRESENTABLE and ready for learning for all school interaction.
How am I supposed to behave, act, and feel about this new way of learning?
YOU ARE EXPECTED TO SHOW YOUR BUCCANEER BEST in any environment! We are scholars that are learning, during school hours.
Virtual Bell Schedule
Virtual Teacher Roster
Need your Home Access Center Password Reset? Click here to request a reset.
Need your student password reset? Click here to request a reset.
Attendance Matters So Make Sure Your Student is Marked Present
With online learning, we know there are some questions on attendance and how to ensure students are marked present for the day. Here’s what families need to know:
Log in and attend class in real-time with your teacher during the morning and the afternoon.
If you were unable to attend a session because of a technology issue, don’t panic. Students attending either the morning or afternoon session will be counted present for the day.
We know some families may have trouble sticking to the daily schedule because of a variety of issues, including parents’ work schedules, power outages, technology problems or distractions at home.
If your student for some reason misses both the morning and afternoon live instruction with their teachers, they can still make up the work by logging into Schoology and completing the day’s assignments. For that effort to count, however, students must do this before 11:59 p.m. each day to be counted present.
Even with all the challenges of online learning, attendance is still being tracked and still counts. Attendance matters, and we want our students in class and learning every day, 100 percent of the time. At a minimum, state standards require students to attend school at least 90 percent of the time the class is in session to receive credit.
If your family is struggling with attendance, let us know now so we can help!
How to Access Schoology
The only way for students and parents to access Schoology is to log into the mySringISD portal from the district’s website using their district-issued username and password and then clicking on the Schoology icon.
Families who have been trying to log in through the Schoology mobile app or through the Schoology website will be unable to do so because the district is using single sign on, which makes it easier to access all instructional resources.
We know some parents and students downloaded the Schoology mobile app in the spring but we would urge everyone to delete that from your phone and log into the portal directly from the district website.
Free Immunizations Offered for Students Sept. 14
The district is joining with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Care Van to offer free immunizations to students from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 14 at the Spring ISD Community Engagement Center, 17125 Ella Blvd. The event, which will require appointments, offers parents a chance to make sure their children’s required immunizations are complete and up-to-date, at no cost.
Due to COVID-19, health and safety measures will be in place this year to protect families, clinic staff and volunteers, and the number of available doses will be limited. For this reason, parents and guardians must register ahead of time. To register your child for an immunization appointment on Sept. 14, 2020, contact the Family and Community Engagement department at 281-891-6685.
Participating families should bring their children’s immunization shot records and make sure that everyone over two years of age has a mask covering their mouth and nose. Clinic staff may also perform a brief screening and temperature check to ensure students are well enough to receive their shots. Participating students will receive a free backpack donated by Community Health Choice.
For information about immunization requirements for Texas students, visit www.springisd.org/immunization.
Virtual Volunteer Opportunities for Families
The Spring ISD Family Engagement Department encourages families and caregivers to play an active role in their children’s education. This year, we are encouraging families to stay actively engaged by volunteering in our schools virtually. Below are sample virtual volunteer opportunities. Please contact your child’s campus parent empowerment liaison for specific virtual volunteer opportunities at their school.
Parent-to-parent communication: Campus parent leaders can create a phone bank to check in on and support other parents who are part of their school’s parent organization.
Parent tutors: Parents who are comfortable with technology can assist other parents and students with navigating Spring ISD’s online support tools as well as assist students with homework.
Self-care support: Parents can support other parents’ self-care by hosting virtual leisure classes for parents. Wind down by participating in sewing classes, yoga, painting, fitness, etc. This encourages self-care and socialization with other parents.
Literacy support: Parents can support literacy by serving as the surprise guest reader of the week and reading stories to students in their virtual classroom.
Virtual parent organization support: Parents can participate in virtual PTA/PTO/booster club meetings and activities.
Virtual Career Day: Parents can participate in a virtual classroom and share their experiences in their chosen profession. This will help students see the connection between learning now and their future careers.
Virtual College Day: Parents can participate in a virtual classroom and share their college experiences with students.
Six Ways to Greet in a Physically-Distanced World
As we continue adjusting to “new norms” during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s certain that we won’t be handshaking or hugging anytime soon.
So here are some tips for greeting one another while showing we care by wearing our masks and keeping our distance.
A wave or air high-fives
A slight bow to show your respect
Palms together like in a yoga class
Show your Peace sign
Nod your head to acknowledge someone
Place your hand over your heart
These different gestures are just a few ways to be polite, show respect and greet one another and still practice physical distancing. While this pandemic continues, let’s help reduce the spread of germs by doing our part.
Rice University and Spring ISD Team Up to Promote Daily Learning
Spring ISD is partnering with Rice University Department of Athletics this fall to encourage daily student learning, whether in-person or virtual.
Students in K-12 will have an opportunity to win a ticket to a Rice Owls’ baseball game and a campus tour that will take place in spring of 2021. In order to qualify, students only need to attend class with a teacher, show daily progress in Schoology and/or submit an assignment. All of these efforts qualify to show daily student learning.
Teachers will be monitoring students’ progress throughout the fall semester starting Tuesday, Sept. 8. In addition to the baseball game and campus tour, up to 100 K-8 students will be given a chance to be recognized on the field and enjoy a pregame “Field Day” inside Tudor Fieldhouse or the Waltrip Indoor Training Center.
Students who want to participate don’t need to do anything but show daily engagement in all of their classes. Winners will be notified in January.
Know a Spring ISD parent without an email address? Help Us Get them Connected
Parents, we need your help! If you know of any Spring ISD parents/guardians who don’t have an email address, we would love your help getting them online and connected.
Or if you know someone who is still using their student’s email address, we would also appreciate your encouraging them to create their own email address. Having a reliable email address is so important these days as we communicate important safety information. Across the district, there are thousands of parents who either don’t have an email address or are using their student’s Spring ISD email address, meaning they are missing out on both school and district communications.
We have created a handout in both Spanish and English that describes the steps for setting up a Gmail account. Thank you for helping spread the word and assisting another parent in getting connected.
See What Spring ISD Will be Doing to Keep Our Safety-First In-Person Students Safe
Parents who have chosen to return their students to in-person learning when health conditions allow may be wondering what the district is doing to promote safety. We’ve created a video in both Spanish and English to help show our protocols. Please take a moment to watch and learn more about our protocols:
Middle School
English language
Safety First In-Person School at Spring ISD, Middle School Campuses
Spanish language
Seguridad primero, escuela en persona en Spring ISD - Escuelas Intermedias