Gotwals Elementary School
Parent Resources for Remote Learning
Letter from Ms. Fernandez
Dear Gotwals Families,
I am usually found saying "Good Morning" to your children as I welcome them into the building right off of the busses. This morning I am in a little bit of disbelief that I have not seen their smiling faces marching into our school’s front doors in over two weeks.
The teachers and staff have been working very hard in our “new now”. They have spent countless hours reworking curriculum and learning new technologies while juggling home responsibilities. We are committed to maintaining strong relationships and academic continuity for our students and families. I am proud of their imagination, perseverance, and dedication and I hope you are pleased too.
As we start out on this journey together I want to make it as smooth as possible. This document/plan will serve as a central location for the resources that will help you navigate these rough waters. Please reference this document and feel free to share resources/helpful tips as you discover them with our staff. I understand that this will need to be adjusted as we learn/discover best practices for online learning but it will help us as we get started.
This document will lay out guidelines that are intended to help alleviate some of your stress while supporting your children. I would encourage you to review this document often as it will serve as our plan to online instruction.
I am proud to support our amazing families. It is ok to feel uncertain at this time. I am here to support you, listen to you and guide you through this transition. Please reach out to me and our staff at any time.
Sincerely,
Jeannette Fernandez
Principal
Gotwals Staff Misses You!
District Plan
The district's Continuity of Education Plan will transition from enrichment and review to advancing the curriculum through remote learning. Our primary mode of instructional delivery will be online learning via Google Classroom, and students' work will be asynchronous to accommodate the various scheduling needs of families. For students without internet access, packets that are aligned to each week's lesson will be created to support their learning.
What is Google Classroom?
All Kindergarten through Grade 8 students will utilize Google Classroom.
Google Classroom is a free service for schools, non-profits, and anyone with a personal Google account. Classroom makes it easy for learners and instructors to connect—inside and outside of schools. Google Classroom saves time and paper and makes it easy to create classes, distribute assignments, communicate, and stay organized. Teachers will be submitting prerecorded lessons so students/families can view them at any time. Video lessons and assignments will be posted every Monday and Thursday by 10 AM.
What do I have to do as a parent?
You must be able to connect to the Internet. This can be accomplished through a cell phone (Cellular Access), or through a device such as a computer or Chromebook.
I want to connect with my Phone
The Google classroom App works on both Android and Apple phones, you can connect it to as many phones as you wish. You will need to go to the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store and download the Application on your phone. The App is Free and only takes a minute or so to download.
Once the App is downloaded, click the Get Started button, and enter your students google account.
All NASD Google accounts are in the form username@nasdstudent.org where the username is a combination of the student's initials and student id.
Teachers have added your child to their class. You will see those classes appear on the App.
I want to connect with my Computer
Open your Chrome browser and type classroom.google.com. The student will need to sign in with their school Google account
All NASD Google accounts are in the form username@nasdstudent.org where the username is a combination of the student's initials and student id.
Teachers will start to add your student to their class. You will see those classes appear on the App.
Click on a link below for additional information on how to access Google Classroom on different devices.
Apple IOS - https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=938
Android - https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=938
Web Browser - https://www.nasd.k12.pa.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=940
Gaming System - https://edtechawesomeness.com/2020/03/17/access-google-classroom-with-your-phone-your-xbox-or-your-playstation/
What if I do not know my child's Google account information?
You should have received a letter in the mail with your parent Home Access logins/passwords and your child's Student Google logins/password. Your child's teacher also sent notifications. They may be contacting you via Talking Points / Text Message, Class Dojo or via a phone call.
NASD Parent Help Desk
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the lesson be live? Teachers will be submitting prerecorded lessons so students/families can view them at any time.
What about special area classes? Each special area teacher will be providing lessons and activities that your child can participate in each week. These will show up in your child's Google Classroom.
What if I have questions about the lessons/activities/time/etc? Every teacher will have daily office hours to answer any questions you may have through email, Google Classroom, Classroom Dojo or the preferred method used during the school year. Please see the link above if you are not sure of your child's teacher's email address.
Who should I contact if I am having difficulty with technology? If it is in regards to Google Classroom code or assignments please contact your child's teacher. If you need help with issues beyond that you can call the NASD Parent Hotline: 610-270-2923.
What if I do not have a Chromebook or computer? The district will be hosting a Chromebook distribution on Tuesday, April 7th at Norristown Area High School. Families will be provided only 1 Chromebook per household. Chromebooks will be distributed on a first-come basis.
What if I do not have any access to technology or the internet? Are there any alternatives? The district has created paper packets for students that do not have access to technology. These packets will be distributed throughout the community. Notification will be sent via phone call, providing the location, date, and time these packets will be available. Packets will be distributed every 2 weeks.
What if I do not have email but I need to get a hold of my child's teacher? Can I call the school? Families can call the main school number (610-275-1077) and leave a voicemail. The voicemail will then be sent to your child's teacher. Make sure that you indicate who your child's teacher is when leaving your voicemail message. Please also provide a phone number that we can call back.
What if my child receives additional services? Students that receive EL, Special Education, or Gifted services will receive additional services through Google Classroom.
What if my child is in band & orchestra? Mr. Norton will be in touch with 3rd/4th grade students via google classroom if they are playing an instrument.
What should we expect as we begin online learning with our child? This is new for everyone and as a result there will be things that work well and things that do not work. We anticipate having issues and challenges as this is rolled out and need your feedback. Please be patient with our staff as many of us are learning how to navigate this new platform. Please also reach out and provide us feedback. We can only improve if we hear from you. We are looking forward to partnering with you in this new educational environment.
*This document will be added to as we receive additional questions.