Note from the Principal
Monday, September 7th
Here we go!!
I want to thank you for your patience as we communicate all things “new” about our school year! There have definitely been many new things to learn, to implement and to communicate as we prepare for comprehensive distance learning.
This week will be a soft start. Boones Ferry teachers have been working hard last week planning to connect with each family and preparing lessons that will teach students the routines they will use throughout CDL/Hybrid learning this school year. Be sure to check for an email from your child's teacher with specifics.
This week's back to school schedule will have three parts:
1. The Morning Meeting
2. Virtual Home Visits
3. Student Learning Activities
The Morning Meeting will be scheduled between 8:00am-9:00am each morning beginning on Tuesday. This will be a time dedicated to building community, establishing community agreements and classroom expectations, and providing an overview of the day. Teachers will communicate your child's specific meeting times with you and share a zoom meeting link for your child to use to access the meeting.
Virtual Home Visits will be scheduled between 9:00-11:30 daily this week. Classroom teachers will schedule 15-20 minute meetings with each family as a way to get to know you, share classroom specific information and answer any questions you may have. They will be helping to make sure that you are able to access the digital curriculum and online resources that will be used this year. Teachers will be reaching out to you to schedule this time with you.
Teachers will provide learning activities for all students to engage in asynchronously after the morning meeting has ended, during this first week. Teachers will be working this week to help students understand how to engage with the online curriculum and students will move gradually toward their full, regular weekly schedule of lessons and learning activities.
I have heard from so many of you this week and your kind words of encouragement have been food for my soul. When you have a moment, please send a note of appreciation to our Boones Ferry staff. They have been working so hard in preparation for your child's arrival.
As we “Zoom” into the school year, we continue to be committed to building community, strengthening connections and fostering a strong sense of belonging for each and every one of our students! I am reminded that dragonflies symbolize our ability to overcome times of hardship. They can remind us to take time to reconnect with our own strength, courage and happiness. Thank you for your partnership in this journey!
Dr. Jensen
Noteworthy Dates
Sept 8-11 • Chromebook Distribution- Sign Up
Tuesday, September 8 • First Day of School- Access Zoom link in Google Classroom
Week of September 8-11 • Virtual Home Visits with Teachers (scheduled by teachers)
Wednesday, September 9 • Wave & School Supply Pick Up at Boones Ferry 1:30-3:00
Monday, September 21 · PSS Meeting (via Zoom) 7-8pm
Thursday, September 24 ·Curriculum Night (via Zoom) 6:30-8:00pm
October 2-9 · Dragonfly Dash (virtual)
Accessing Your Child's Google Classroom
Your child’s username is their district issued email. This is usually the first 7 digits of their last name followed by their first initial. However, sometimes there are exceptions. The best and most effective way to be certain about your child’s email address is to login to Parent VUE. Click on “student info.” On this page you will see two important boxes - the box with the “district issued email.” This is your child’s username. And the box with the “Permanent ID.” Your child’s password is a capital “P” followed by their permanent ID. Students in the upper grades may have learned to change their passwords. If that’s the case, they will need to remember those passwords to access their account. If they have forgotten, no worries! You can complete a tech ticket requesting that it be reset.
One of the best ways to prepare for next week is to have your child’s username and password in a visible place near their distance learning workspace. Have them practice logging in and out of their Google Drive. You can access the school Google Drive by going to the Boones Ferry Website. The link to Google Drive will be in the upper right hand corner. Once students are in Google Drive, they will see a 9-square waffle-like shape in the top right corner. If you click on the waffle, all of the Google Apps will appear. Here you will be able to locate Gmail and Google Classroom.
I Need A Refresher on Google Classroom. Please Help!
Classroom teachers are currently setting up their Google Classrooms. This may be a topic they share with you during your scheduled virtual home visit. Here are some useful resources that provide a comprehensive overview of Google Classroom:
The Parent’s Guide to Google Classroom
Google Classroom Tutorial for Students & Parents
Guía Para Padres: Google Classroom • Spanish Resource
Tutorial - Como usar classroom en modo alumno • Spanish Resource
Instructional Days- What will they look like?
All students will have an opportunity to engage in synchronous and asynchronous learning everyday. Synchronous learning means engaging in learning by being in the same place, at the same time via live online classes (Zoom meetings). Asynchronous learning means engaging in learning that takes place through offline and online learning activities without real time interaction.
Both cohorts will participate in the daily morning meeting, wellness and music lessons. The daily morning meeting will be a synchronous learning experience. While the wellness and music lessons will be pre-recorded, the classroom teacher will play these video lessons during their Zoom Class Meeting. Both cohorts will also have time at the end of the day dedicated to self-directed learning. Self-directed learning opportunities include but are not limited to Redbird, Rosetta Stone, Typing Agent and much much more.
On Day 1 (Mondays and Wednesdays for Cohort A, Tuesdays & Thursdays for Cohort B), students will participate in synchronous learning in language arts (reading/writing), math and integrated studies (science and social studies). Instruction will be within 20-30 minutes, allowing ample time for students to engage in guided learning, small group learning and/or conferring with the classroom teacher afterward.
On Day 2 (Tuesdays & Thursdays for Cohort A, Mondays & Wednesdays for Cohort B), students will participate in applied learning in language arts (reading/writing), math and integrated studies (science and social studies). This means that they will be working on classwork and assignments connected to the lesson from the previous day and/or engaging in independent learning using the digital curriculum. Independent work will be connected to the lesson delivered by the classroom teacher the previous day.
On Day 2, Boones Ferry staff such as the school counselor, specialists, para-educators, instructional coordinator(s) and principal will check in with students and families as needed. Check Ins will be scheduled for a variety of reasons - to review lessons, to provide clarification about the school day, to answer questions and to support the social emotional needs of our students. Reading Services, English Language Development Services and Special Education Services will be provided on Day 2's as much as possible.
Day 3 will be held on Fridays. Every Friday, teachers will deliver a combination of synchronous and asynchronous lessons from 8:00-11:00 for their class (both cohorts) and prepare asynchronous learning opportunities for their class (both cohorts) from 11:00-1:30. A/B cohorts alternate Fridays. Please review the Primary School Calendar for information on designated A & B weeks.
The week of September 14-18, is an A week. This means that cohort A will participate in the majority of synchronous learning on Friday 9/18. This week, the week of September 8-11, is unique in that all students will meet synchronously from 8:00-9:00 and the remainder of the day is asynchronous guided by teachers.
Master Calendar Includes 'A' and 'B' Days for 20-21 School Year
I recommend printing out the Primary School 2020-2021 Calendar and hanging it up on your refrigerator or adding it to your personal calendars. This includes the A/B schedule for each week for the entire school year.
Primary students will utilize 'A' and 'B' cohorts for the entire year. Middle and High School students will utilize 'A' and 'B' cohorts when we transition the hybrid model and in-person learning. As a reminder, all Mondays and Wednesdays are 'A' Days, and all Tuesdays and Thursdays are 'B' Days.Fridays will alternate between 'A' and 'B' Days and are outlined in this master calendar.
Where can I learn more about the digital curriculum?
Technology Support & Chromebooks
If you have trouble that you believe is related to your child’s account, please feel free to get help here. If you believe the issue is the device itself, please sign up for a time slot to return your Chromebook. We will provide your student with a replacement Chromebook.
If you need a Chromebook for your child, we have one for you! Chromebook distribution will continue to take place at Boones Ferry Primary on Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 11th. You can sign up for an appointment here. We will need to get two forms from you; they will be available for you to fill out during your time slot, or you will also receive the links in your email confirmation when you schedule your time slot so you can print them out and complete them at home, then bring them during your time slot.
Meals
All meals will be FREE for children under 18 years of age. This will continue through the end of December.
NEW THIS YEAR, families are asked to order meals ahead of time ONLINE through the Nutrition Services website.
Families can view the online menu and set up an account by visiting the Nutrition Services website. Simply click on the menu for your level (primary, middle, or high) and when you’re ready to place your order click ‘Online Ordering’ in the blue box at the top of the screen. Families will be prompted to create an Online Order account the first time they go to order. Families need to place their order by 7 a.m. the day prior to meal pick up. By ordering online the day before, we will be able to have your meal ready for you upon arrival and cut down on waste.
Pre-ordered meals will be available at the following schools for "grab and go" pick up outside school buildings between 11:00 a.m.-1:15 pm every Monday-Friday when school is in session. Families can pick up one breakfast and one lunch per child per day.
Meals are also available from 4-6 p.m. at the following school locations. Any child age 1-18 across the district can pick up from any of these locations:
The menu is available on the Nutrition Services District website. We will have a rotation of cold entrees and entrees that can be warmed up at home to create hot meals.
**If your student has an approved, documented allergen through the nursing staff and Nutrition Services for us to accommodate, please let the staff know at your pick up location you will be needing a meal made so we can have it ready for you.
Helpful Links
- Boones Ferry web page: https://www.wlwv.k12.or.us/
- Tech Support: https://tekmee.wlwv.k12.or.us/helpathome/
- Listserv (school communications to parents): https://listserv.wlwv.k12.or.us/
- Flash Alert (weather alerts): https://www.flashalert.net/
- Community Resource Support: https://www.wlwv.k12.or.us/domain/3426
- Free & Reduced Lunch Meal Program: https://www.wlwv.k12.or.us/Page/10636
Boones Ferry Primary School
Email: jensenm@wlwv.k12.or.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/wlwv.k12.or.us/boonesferrystaff/home
Location: 11495 Southwest Wilsonville Road, Wilsonville, OR, USA
Phone: 503-673-7300
Twitter: @BoonesFerry