Osprey Weekly
August 28, 2020
From Administration
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of August! On Monday, we welcomed our teachers and staff back. It was exciting to see and reconnect with each other. Over the past 5 days, teachers have been very busy learning about schedules, curriculum, electronic resources, and the ins and outs of Schoology and Google Meet to name a few. They are all excited to get to know your children and start this year's journey together.
If you were not able to connect with your children's teacher this week for Virtual Open House, you will be able to connect on August 31st. Please check your email for more information fom your child's teacher.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org or by phone/text at 240-431-1937. You can also reach out to Assistant Principal LaCount at grlacount@smcps.org.
Dr. Quick-McQueen, Principal
New Information
Thank You PTA!
LES Virtual Learning Focus
The first two week of school will be important to build a foundation for our students. Once online class routines are established, students understand how to access their Schoology learning materials, can manage expectations of learning at a distance and are adept at completing assignments, your children will begin to see more academic learning during the third and fourth weeks of school.
Communication with teachers will be important, please ensure they have your most up to date emails and contact information. We will work hard to streamline communication, so it will not be so overwhelming. There will be a lot of information to share as we begin our online learning. Please communicate your family situation and needs to the teacher and administration. We are here to support you.:)
Students are expected to be logged in at the start of the school day, 9:00 a.m. and ready to learn for the day (the first week of school may be a little condensed to support pick up of instructional materials). If there is a family situation keeping your children from being available, please communicate with the teacher to problem solve.
Each teacher will share with parents/students a daily schedule.
Common lunch and recess for LES is 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. daily.
Thank you in advance for your support and patience as we embark on this new way of doing things to start the school year. Please keep in mind, we will start slow...to go fast.
Please keep in touch and let us know how we can help.:)
Schoology Parent/Student Resources
- A reminder the student email address is the First Initial + Middle Initial + Last Initial + Last 4 Digits of ID + @k12.smcps.org and the password (for elementary students) is the Student ID Number +18.
- Students new to SMCPS need to enter a default password on their first login: ID#-initials+smcps
Example: 123456-abcsmcps
Online help for parents can be found here.
Google Site for families
Use this link for help logging in, navigating, and other helpful hints
Make use of the Tech Help & these helpful videos
Visit the SMCPS Schoology page for students, parents, and guardians
[LINK to] Remote Learning Login Instructions
Tech Support
APP information link for iPads for access to Schoology
General Tech Help Q and A link
SMCPS Schoology Youtube Playlist:
Initial Log In Guidance for all Students with an SMCPS device:
Internet Update
SMCPS with St. Mary’s County Government with regards to broadband access. Using the Student Broadband Availability Check link, students/families and schools can instantly check whether or not their registered address in SMCPS has access to broadband.
The mobile hotspots are slated to arrive soon. The distribution will start with high school students and then move to middle school and, finally to elementary school students. At this time, mobile hotspots will be issued by household - not student.
Hotspots will not be provided to every family and will be based on specific criteria related to need. If you qualify for a hotspot, you will receive an email confirmation from LES once the device is ready for pick up. Thank you for your patience.
LES Apple Tree Book Club
The Apple Tree Book Club is a program to encourage reading through in-school recognition. Here’s how it works:
Your Summer reading and school year reading count toward your total.
Give your Reading Log to your Teacher when you have read at least 10 books.
You MUST have your whole name (first & last) Teacher, grade, book title and number of pages for each book on your Reading Log.
Everyone who reads 10 books receives a pink blossom.
Information Worth Repeating
Instructional Materials
We will be distributing some instructional materials to ALL students next week August 31st. This will also include any available technology. You will receive an email confirmation if you are assigned to pick up technology.
Due to the current restrictions related to COVID 19, we will be distributing instructional materials and technology in a specific fashion. Please follow all instructions and times.
Admitted Pre-Kindergarten parents/students will be contacted when a device and instructional materials are ready for pick up.
Note: Unless you have received a confirmation email to pick up technology, there will not be a device available for you at this time. We are working to get more devices and will send you a confirmation once it is ready for pick up.
- You may pick up ONLY during the time frame in which your grade level has been assigned (unless you have contacted the school. See schedule below).
- Enter the bus loop. Please have your sign ready with your student(s) first and last name written large enough so the staff member can see it. If you are picking up for multiple students, please list the name of all your students.
- Please be patient as we may be busy, but please know that we will move as fast as we can to keep the line moving.
- The staff member will direct you to proceed forward toward the tables on the sidewalk (tables will be under the awning if it is raining). The runner will bring your students’ materials and place it on the table where you can then pick the device up and proceed back to your car.
- If you are walking up to pick up a device, please be sure to wear a mask, practice social distancing of 6 feet, and let a staff member know the grade, teacher name, and your student’s last name. Wait along the awning and a runner will retrieve your students’ materials and bring it to you.
Please do not hesitate to call 301-475-0250 Ext. 31101 or email cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org if you have questions!
Please Take and Save 1st Day School Pictures
Home Access Center
Web and Video Conferencing Guidelines
To ensure safeguards and appropriate use:
Parents/guardians should be mindful of what family activities would potentially be heard/seen during the students' use of video conferencing. This is a great tool to keep students connected, but please have your students use these tools somewhere near enough to you so that you can monitor, yet private enough to concentrate on their work.
Please have students dress appropriately when video conferencing and make sure that there are no distracting materials or backgrounds.
Teachers may record non-confidential video conferencing sessions and post them for students who cannot attend the live session. There may be some sessions a faculty member may want to record about specific instructional group activities. We want and need our faculty to be efficient and effective when covering material or providing reinforcement. Therefore, here are some guidelines about recordings:
These recordings will not be publicly available, only shared within the Schoology, a similar section of the same class, or within the SMCPS Google domain that requires a network account.
Faculty will announce their intention to record the session allowing students/parents/guardians to turn off their camera and/or microphone if privacy is of concern.
Students/parents/guardians should not take photos, screenshots, record any video, or audio, from these conference sessions. You do not have permission to do so, and it is a violation of our Acceptable Use Policy.
Rules of conduct and behavior will apply the same as if in the classroom. The SMCPS Code of Conduct and all existing Board of Education policies and SMCPS regulations continue to apply.
School Counselors may meet virtually one on one with a student without parental consent for minor day to day support that enables students to be academically successful (i.e., academic planning, peer conflict, problem-solving, single session support, etc. ). At the elementary level and when developmentally appropriate at the secondary level, counselors will coordinate with the parent to schedule a student session with their counselor. These services are the virtual equivalent to the support generally provided to all students when they are physically in the school building. All emergency-based services will be provided, as indicated in policy and regulations. Parental consent will be obtained for students needing ongoing intensive counseling support.
If you have questions or concerns about your student's use of online tools, please contact cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org.
Meal Services
Key Information about meal services this fall:
- Meals will be offered at all SMCPS locations (except FLA II) for pick-up during the hours of 11:00AM- 1:00PM. Two day’s worth of meals (breakfast and lunch) can be picked up on Monday and Wednesday and one day of meals on Friday.
- Meals are only for enrolled SMCPS students. No cash is accepted on site. Reduced and Paid students should have funds available utilizing MySchoolBucks https://www.myschoolbucks.com
- Meals will be charged at the free, reduced, and paid rates under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. A new application is required each year. Please apply at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
- Parents/Guardians must present their children’s student ID# for same day pick-up if the student is not with them and may pick-up for all children in the family at one location, even if that is not the home-school of all the children.
- View this video for more information
To order meals online watch this video for information
LES Office Available By Appointment Only
Learning At Home Tips
Below are some tips that you may find helpful or useful as you prepare your child for this year of learning. We recognize that all families are at a different place at this time in terms of school readiness, but for those of you who are curious as to ways you can support your child, we have compiled a beginning list for you.
- Provide a designated learning space for your child. This will help your child with understanding that school is important. If your child has their own area that is strictly for their schooling, they are less likely to be distracted and it will help your child get in the zone for learning. This can be a small table, a small tv tray, a corner table in a kitchen, etc. Please do whatever works best for you, however, we recommend that this area has a “permanent” spot in the house.
- Within the designated space, have organized items that your child will be able to find, put away and use. This will allow students to work in their area without needing to leave it to find needed materials.
- Schoolbox or bin for crayons, pencils, scissors, glue and markers.
- Headphones are helpful to avoid distractions to others AND they will block out distractions from the house.
- Small whiteboard or thick paper in sheet protectors and black expo markers. Often teacher will ask your child to hold up their work and paper can be hard to see in an online format.
Attendance and Grading
Absence Reporting
Important Upcoming Dates
- 31 First Day of School
- 31 'Pre-K Virtual Orientation' with the Teacher via Google Meets 9:30 a.m. (Pre-K AM students only) AND 1:30 p.m. (Pre-K PM students only) (code to join will be sent by the teacher)
- 31- September 4 Grade Level Instructional Materials Distribution
September
- 7 No School-Labor Day
- 8-14 Grade Level Instructional Materials Distribution (if needed)
- 24 Early Dismissal Day
- 25 No School for Students
Leonardtown Elementary School
We're Here to Help You!
Greg LaCount, Assistant Principal
Shawnna White, Principal's Secretary
Marie Ventrone, Records Secretary
Email: cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org
Website: schools.smcps.org/les
Location: 22885 Duke Street, Leonardtown, MD, USA
Phone: 301-475-0250
Twitter: @les_smcps