Update on Academics
Webster Central School District
Hi Webster Families,
We hope this finds you safe, healthy, and adjusting to our new normal. These are challenging times, but hope and positive thinking can truly have a contagious effect on our children and our community in general.
It has now been eleven days of remote learning and it is imperative that we begin to plan for the next phase of our learning plan. This plan will begin after Spring Break on April 13, 2020. The major difference for our students is that our teachers will begin to add new content or new learning. As a district to date we have worked together to iron out as many of the bugs in our new remote learning system as we can, while emphasizing connections and taking care of each other's well-being as our top priority.
Upon your return to learning after Spring Break, your well being will continue to be our number one priority. However, it is also imperative that we begin to move down the path of learning new material while we are out of school and enter the 4th quarter. Here are a few points we want to emphasize.
Grading at the Secondary Level
All work assigned after April Break will be graded and given a pass or fail mark. This will lead to a Pass or Fail as a 4th Marking Period Grade. At the end of the year students will find themselves in the following situations in regards to receiving course credit for each course and a numerical grade for the course to be used towards their GPA. The course average will be determined by taking the average of the first three quarters. The fourth quarter will act as a gatekeeper for earning the credit for the class.
I'll include all the scenarios here. Trouble with snipping tool at home also need a scenario for semester courses
Notes:
If a student's average after the first three marking periods is below a 55, the student must earn a “Pass” for the 4th quarter in order to be considered for recovering their first three marking periods. This is illustrated in Scenario E.
If a student's average after the first three marking periods is above or equal to a 55, and the student earns a “Pass” for the 4th quarter will receive credit for the course and a course grade of 65. This is illustrated in Scenario D.
Learning From Home Expectations
Knowing the information above has helped us to consider what our role is in supporting students and families. Here is the link to the Learning From Home Expectations that will help teachers to navigate these unusual circumstances.
Suggested Norms for Class Video Chat
Many teachers will be utilizing video conferencing as a way to connect with and interact with their students. Here are some helpful tips for families to best utilize this resource:
Make sure all students mute their microphones and only unmute if there is something they can’t share in the textbox. Everyone talking at once is overwhelming.
The teacher will share the days/weeks/lesson agenda upfront in case you have tech-related issues.
If the teacher shares his/her screen, please make sure you are watching the screen. There is something important happening.
Make sure you are working somewhere you won’t be distracted. Don’t distract yourself by multitasking (using other tabs, playing games, having movie playing, etc.)
Behavior expectations in an online classroom are the same as they would be in a real classroom (language, behavior, etc)
Don’t show up in your pajamas (goes for teachers too! This is an important part of creating a sense of normalcy for kids)
Be aware of what’s going on around you (your background should be free of school-inappropriate images, language, etc)
Office Hours
One week’s material at a time
Important that students create a schedule each week and build in time to drop into teacher’s office hours
Services and supports for students - Service providers will continue to support their students
NYS Seal of Biliteracy:
http://www.nysed.gov/world-languages/new-york-state-seal-biliteracy-nyssb
Students should proceed as they were before COVID
College and Dual Credit Courses
Advanced Placement (AP):
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/news-changes/coronavirus-update
Students can take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home.
Exams will only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March.
Students will be able to take these streamlined exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. Taking a photo of handwritten work will also be an option.
Students who need mobile tools or connectivity can reach out to https://collegeboard.tfaforms.net/74
Beginning on Wednesday, March 25, students and teachers can attend free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country.
GCSD teachers will continue to provide instructional support through the Learning from Home site.
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment: Webster is dependent on decisions from our college partners regarding these courses. We will provide better details as they become available.
MCC Dual Enrollment: Dual Enrollment decisions are Department based at MCC
https://www.monroecc.edu/coronavirus/
World Language Department
Courses continue
Coursework equates to 90% of grade
No final exam, midterm exam counts as 10% of final grade
Rochester Institute Technology:
NYS and Section V Athletics:
Cancelled: Winter NYS High School Athletics Association State Championships
http://www.nysphsaa.org/News-Media/Headline-News/Article/id/3630