FSUS Principal's Update
March 26, 2020
#wearefsus
Hi Seminole Family,
We hope all of our students were able to enjoy spring break with their families. This has been quite the week for faculty, support teams, and our school community! We have been working remotely with our teachers and support staff to provide quality distance learning to your student. The transition to distance learning that our teachers and staff are making is significant. We're incredibly proud of how swiftly they targeted learning standards, moved lessons and curriculum online, and lined up methods for interacting with students--all while managing their home lives.
While we make this transition, it is critically important that our families recheck FOCUS to make sure that all information is up-to-date regarding addresses and emails. Our teachers will be reaching out to our families Friday with information to get Monday started.
With that in mind, it's important for all of us (students, families, teachers, and support staff) to stay physically and mentally healthy, work efficiently, and find time to rest. Please continue to practice social distancing and follow CDC recommendations and local orders.
As we enter the new online learning process, let's work together by remaining positive, supportive, and flexible and by directly reaching out to our teachers and deans with any concerns or questions. We are excited about an upcoming virtual Spirit Week, making morning school announcements available for our students, virtual book clubs, our music department virtually serenading birthdays, surprise calls from faculty and staff for check-ins, and much more. There is no doubt in our minds that we will come out stronger than ever because #wearefsus.
Stay healthy and safe!
Megan Brink, 9-12 Principal
Suzanne Wilkinson, K-8 Principal
Next week, beginning Monday, March 30th, we will kick off our first week of distance learning. Distance learning for elementary is very different than virtual learning for older students, especially during times like these. We ask for your continued support and patience as we transition our students and teachers to a new routine. We will continue to make improvements to effectively maximize lessons for students but also provide flexibility for families.
When shifting routines and beginning a new way of work, it's important to keep in mind the following:
- Reach out to teachers first for clarity on virtual assignments and questions about new tools. Sometimes information found on social media may not always be correct so please contact us directly.
- Model for your student how to be positive, flexible, and a team player. One team, one goal!
- Be patient with response times the first week. Think of this week as a transition week for all involved. Many of our teachers, staff and administration are parents balancing work and school for their students at home. Our teachers and staff are committed to being as responsive as possible as we settle into routines, but please be supportive during this time.
- Our deans and leadership teams are working remotely. Contact information is below in case you need additional support.
- It is our hope to see each of you on April 15th, however teachers will continue to plan online instruction as needed.
- As we proceed and learn new ways of work, teachers and administration may make adjustments to routines accordingly.
Elementary (K-5) Distance Learning
Monday, March 30th - Students will begin their distance learning curriculum!
1. All students will receive their assignments for March 30 - April 3 on Friday, March 27. We will begin by making sure that all students are able to connect with their teacher and assignments.
2. Our teachers have planned for online instruction up to April 15th. However, we are only posting Week 1 assignments in case we need to adjust. Please be flexible!
3. Teachers are collecting assignments daily/weekly. Each classroom teacher has an organized assignment chart indicating when assignments are due. Assignments will be due by 8:00 p.m. on the designated due date.
4. Take note of teacher contact information and supports. Our teachers will provide varied opportunities depending on grade level for one-on-one support and group support.
Distance Learning Tools:
Teacher class websites, Google Classroom, Google Site, Google Voice, FOCUS, Zoom, DOJO, and Email.
Middle (6-8) Distance Learning
Monday, March 30th - Students will begin their distance learning curriculum!
1. All students will receive their assignments for March 30 - April 3 on Friday, March 27 through Google Classroom. If you do not have access to a class on Google Classroom, check the teacher's website for information and Google Classroom codes. We will begin by making sure that all students are able to connect with their teacher and assignments.
2. Our teachers have planned for online instruction up to April 15th. However, we are only posting Week 1 assignments in case we need to adjust. Please be flexible!
3. Middle School students will follow a block schedule to help with organization and course load assignments: Monday and Wednesday - ELA and Social Studies; Tuesday and Thursday - Math and Science; Friday - Electives. Assignments will be due by 11:59 p.m. on the designated due date.
4. Take note of teacher contact information and supports. Our teachers will provide varied opportunities depending on grade level for one-on-one support and group support
Distance Learning Tools Used:
Teacher class websites, Google Classroom, Google Voice, FOCUS, Zoom, and Email.
High (9-12) Virtual Learning
Monday, March 30th - Students will begin their distance learning curriculum!
1. All students will receive their assignments for March 30 - April 3 on Friday, March 27. We will begin by making sure that all students are able to connect with their teacher and assignments. Students need to visit the Google Classroom site for each teacher. There will be a first day/attendance assignment from each teacher due on by Tuesday at 4:00 pm.
2. Our teachers have planned for online instruction to April 15th. However, we are only posting Week 1 assignments in case we need to adjust.
3. Many of our high school students are balancing work, care of siblings and family members, and their own courses. To help ease into online learning and to build in flexibility, teachers are collecting assignments weekly. In some cases, larger projects are broken down into mini assignments to help students plan their time. Each department (math, science, social studies, etc.) has a different day that the weekly assignments will be due. Depending on course and rigor of the course, frequency and rigor of assignment may be different.
4. Google Classroom has a To-Do list tool for each class BUT ALSO a To-Do list that shows all items due for the week. Every Monday, students should pull this up and review what is due and draft a weekly agenda to help manage their time. This is new for some students that have not taking virtual courses, please work with them to develop a manageable week.
5. Take note of teacher contact information and supports. Our teachers will provide varied opportunities depending on course and level for one-on-one support and group support.
Tools Used:
Google Classroom, Google Voice, FOCUS, Remind App, Zoom, and Email.
Learning is Not Cancelled and Grades Still Matter!
As a reminder, schooling itself is not cancelled--the building is closed and extracurricular activities/trips are cancelled per Dr. Chambers' emails. At this time, students are still receiving grades for their distance learning.
Teachers, administrators, and support staff are working tirelessly to keep learning going and provide academic routines for families. We are ready and eager to connect with our students, please help us by encouraging students to keep the momentum going and submitting assignments.
Elementary Leadership
Amber Helms - Dean of Academics, awhelms@fsu.edu
Danny Bailey - Dean of Discipline, wbailey@fsu.edu
Middle School Leadership
Lisa Kelley - Dean of Academics, lkelley@fsu.edu
Julius Harley - Dean of Discipline, jharley@fsu.edu
High School Leadership
Kevin Helms - Dean of Discipline, khelms@fsu.edu
Jennifer Kinney - Student Services Director, Senior Academic Dean and Grades 7-12 Counselor, jkinney@fsu.edu
Todd McNeil - Junior Academic Dean and Dual Enrollment Coordinator, tmcneil@fsu.edu
Ryan Capas - Freshman and Sophomore Academic Dean, AP Coordinator, and Student Affairs, rcapas@fsu.edu
Tyrone McGriff - Athletic Director, tmcgriff@fsu.edu
To the rescue...
Classroom Assignment or Content Question
Email or contact your teacher. He/she will contact you using a variety of tools such as DOJO (for elementary) or email to answer your question or set up a conference call via Google Voice or a face-to-face meeting using Zoom. Teacher emails are on our website, on FOCUS, and on their course syllabus (for high school).
Related to online program or software
In most cases your teacher manages these programs or sites, please contact your teacher first. If extra assistance is needed, they can reach out to the appropriate support personnel.
Related to FSUS Computer/Hardware
Contact our technology department. To do this go to our website: fsus.school --> under headlines click Chromebook Checkout link --> Click FSUS Chromebook Request.
Our Deans are here for you! All of our Academic and Discipline Deans are working remotely. You may still be receiving phone calls from them and you can also reach out to them as needed.
A Few of Our Distance Learning Tools
Google Classroom
Student Link: https://classroom.google.com
More Information: https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/6388136
Login Information: Your student should have this already! If you need help with your student logging, in please contact your teacher. Teacher emails are on our website or on FOCUS.
Google Voice
Login Information: Great News! You don't need anything for this! Not even the app. It will just appear like a normal phone call.
Zoom
Some courses will be providing opportunities for students to connect with teachers in real-time during the week in case students need just a little bit more support. Teachers can also use this tool to meet face-to-face with students and families.
Login Information: Users will need to download and install the Zoom app. The teacher will post or send a meeting notice with a link. Click the link using your smartphone or computer during the appropriate time and voila, you're connected! A microphone and camera are not required to use this technology.
Update FOCUS and Sign Up for ListServe
FOCUS: Specific information to certain populations is often sent through our FOCUS system. Please double check that parents and students (if older) have the correct email listed in FOCUS. Also check phone numbers and addresses.
LISTSERVE: General information to a broad group and larger community is sent on ListServe. This is an opt-in system. If you have not been getting Dr. Chambers' updates on Coronavirus, you probably are not on Listserve. To be a part of our ListServe community, please go to our homepage, click "About Us"--> "ListServe" and follow the directions.
Tips for Parents to Distance Learning
1. Personalize the learning environment for each student as much as possible.
Creating a specific workplace for your child can help them build consistent study habits. Whether students are working on a laptop or desktop, it’s important to have a designated space for learning for them to complete schoolwork.
To start with, make sure they have all the necessary equipment—computer, headphones, calendar, pencils, notebook/sketchpad, etc.—within easy reach. The workspace should be in a quiet, low-traffic area of the house so they can focus on their work undisturbed.
2. Use a schedule–and don’t be afraid to adapt that schedule as necessary
The flip side to getting your child to build consistent study habits is planning ahead to ensure they know when and what they’ll be learning each day. Build a routine that works best with their habits and energy. For instance, while a nine-year-old might be rearing to go in the morning, it might take your teenager a couple extra hours to become fully awake and ready for lessons.
3. Stay organized!
Depending on what works for your family, you might want to make it a nightly routine—going over the day’s lessons and upcoming assignments, and making sure everything is ready for the next day—or set aside time at the beginning and end of every week to do the same.
This step can help mitigate any wasted time since your child will be able to get straight to work and allow you to keep better track of how they’re progressing towards mastery with their lessons.
4. Set goals for and with students.
Setting measurable and specific educational goals will keep both you and your child on track throughout the school year. Make a list and divide it into short- and long-term goals, then revisit the list on a regular basis—during your weekly organizational sessions, for instance—to evaluate and adjust the goals if necessary.
5. Ask for help.
When you’re stuck on a situation or aren’t sure about how to approach a specific lesson, ask for help; you’re not in this journey alone.
10 Tips For Parents New To Online Homeschooling by TeachThought Staff
Online Learning Behaviors and Expectations
1. Be PRESENT! Connect with your teachers, complete assignments, and take advantage of other tools/resources teachers and the school may provide. It is expected that you complete the assignments by the due dates given.
2. Be RESPECTFUL and KIND! Language and actions should be courteous and respectful to all students, faculty, and staff. This includes, but not limited to during, chat sessions, Zoom meetings or other online conferences, emails, assignments, etc. If you are attending an online class or meeting, make sure your background is not distracting or disruptive. Background pictures and images should also be respectful and not distracting or disruptive. Teachers will be allowed to mute or block a student's video should it be come distracting, disrespectful, or disruptive.
3. Engage in ACADEMIC HONESTY. FSUS takes the integrity and authenticity of student work very seriously. Do not cut, copy, or plagiarize internet content or the work of your online classmates. FSUS instructors may use technologies to check for authenticity.
4. Use TECHNOLOGY APPROPRIATELY. Whether or not you are using school technology to learn, our Bullying and Harassment, Title IX, and Appropriate Use of Technology policies in the FSUS Code of Conduct still apply. Please be mindful of what you are saying, sending, recording or streaming. Again, please be kind and respectful to each other.
Administration reserves the right to remove a student's access to online learning platforms, as necessary. Depending on the incident, students may still receive a reduced score on assignments and/or behavior contract for violating our policies.
Florida State University Schools
Email: swilkinson@fsu.edu
Website: https://www.fsus.school/
Location: 3000 School House Rd. Tallahassee FL. 32311
Phone: (850)245-3700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSUSFloridaHigh/
Twitter: @FSUSFloridaHigh