The Hyattsville Herald
Hyattsville Elementary School's Newsletter: Vol:2020/Issue:3
We are not only succeeding...we are excelling!
It is hard to imagine that it is already October! Not only have we been in distance learning for over a month. I am pleased to report that things are going very well. Our attendance continues to improve through the efforts of our amazing attendance team and our families working closely with our dedicated classroom teachers. We have distributed over 400 electronic devices to students as well as countless books, materials, and other items to enhance our distance learning model. Most importantly, everyone has the ability to remain safe while our students are learning and engaging with an enhanced curriculum for these unique times.
Although there have been and will be challenges ahead, we are meeting them head on and finding solutions. Together, we are not only succeeding in distance learning…we are excelling. Thank you TEAM HES!
Reminder
2. Schools will be Closed for students on:
Friday; October 16, 2020 for a professional development day.
Tuesday; November 3, 2020 for Election Day (PLEASE VOTE)
November 25-27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday
December 11, 2020 for a professional development day.
December 24- January 1, 2021 (Winter Break)
3. There will be a NWEA Reading Fluency Information session on Tuesday; October 20, 2020 @5:30pm. This session will go over important details of this assessment and why it is so important for every student to take it in the coming weeks. The Zoom link will be posted in ClassDojo the day of the session.
4. There will be a parent learning opportunity around the topics of differentiation, accommodations, and modifications on Tuesday; November 17, 2020 @5:30pm. We highly suggest everyone attend. The Zoom link will be posted in ClassDojo the day of the session.
Distance Learning Survey
What is differentiation, accommodations, and modifications?
Differentiation is something all students can and should receive during classroom instruction, but not on assessments. It is actually the cornerstone of excellent teaching pedagogy. Differentiation changes the styles and methods of how an educator teaches their class based on who is in front of them. Most often, there is no change in the expectations of the grade level. Sometimes, a teacher may push students to the next grade level expectations through differentiation while still meeting the requirements of the current grade level. Likewise, there may be occasions when an educator will use remediation and scaffolding strategies to build students who are not ready for the grade level expectations in order to effectively meet them.
Accommodations are items that only some students will receive during classroom instruction and occasionally on assessments. Educators, at their discretion, can give any student an accommodation during classroom instruction only. Many teacher will use these to scaffold instruction and then slowly remove them so students can achieve. However, only students with specific types of education plans may receive these on high stakes assessments. Accomodations often take the form of extended time, checking for understanding, reduced questions, and other strategies to help students succeed and demonstrate their understanding.
Modifications are when an education plan is formally developed and changes what students are actually taught and what they learn. This is almost always done through the IEP or another formalized process.
Educators will often scaffold instruction with changes to expectations in order to build student's readiness to grade level expectations. However, this would fall in line with differentiation as the goal is to eventually meet grade level expectations by teaching the student foundational instruction that they may have previously missed. We often see this with our English Language Learners.
This is just a very short overview. However, based on your feedback, Hyattsville Elementary School will offer a session on differentiation, accommodations, and modifications for our families to increase their knowledge and understanding of what is happening in the classroom and why. This will happen on 11/17/2020 @5:30PM.
Forms, Forms, Everywhere I look there are Forms!
Please fill out the following forms
Free & Reduced Meals Application: We are asking that every single parent fill out the Free & Reduced Meals Application by clicking on the link below. Hyattsville receives Title 1 funding based on these applications and we do not want to lose out on these funds! Last year we received over $200,000- therefore please, fill out the form even if you do not think you will qualify. This program is open to all families and this application process is safe, private and secure.
Free & Reduced Meals Application
Emergency Contact Form/ Family Card: This year, Hyattsville Elementary will have an electronic form to collect our emergency contact information as well as family cards. As we are unsure if we will be returning this school year for hybrid learning, it is best if we still collect this information now. Please click on the link below to fill out the 2020/2021 Hyattsville Family Card.
2020 Hyattsville Zombie Run
Registration for the fifth annual Hyattsville Zombie Run, organized by
the Hyattsville Elementary School PTA is now open. The run will be held October 17-30, 2020, with major adaptations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please see the attached files for additional information.
Hyattsville Zombie Run 2020 Press Release
Technical Support for devices
PGCPS heard from parents and guardians during the implementation of distance learning this past winter/spring 2020 – assistance was needed in the areas of technology, instruction, and other supports. Thus we have strategically designated locations throughout PGCPS where parents can receive assistance with technology, accessing and navigating platforms, and other troubleshooting beginning August 31, 2020.
Days/Times: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Parents may call 240-696-3315 during these hours to receive live assistance.
Locations:
● Benjamin Tasker Middle School - 4901 Collington Road, Bowie, MD 20715
● Charles Carroll Middle School - 6130 Lamont Drive, New Carrollton, MD 20784
● Drew Freeman Middle School - 2600 Brooks Drive, Suitland, MD 20746
● G. James Gholson Middle School - 900 Nalley Road, Landover, MD 20785
● Gwynn Park High School - 13800 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD 20613
● High Point High School - 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
● Northwestern High School - 7000 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782
● Port Towns Elementary School - 4351 58th Avenue, Bladensburg, MD 20710
● Thurgood Marshall Middle School - 4909 Brinkley Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748
If you need a password reset, please complete the form below:
Free and Reduced Meal Applictaion
Free & Reduced Meals Application: We are asking that every single parent fill out the Free & Reduced Meals Application by clicking on the link below. Hyattsville receives Title 1 funding based on these applications and we do not want to lose out on these funds! Last year we received over $200,000- therefore please, fill out the form even if you do not think you will qualify. This program is open to all families and this application process is safe, private and secure.
Make Up Work Opportunity
We understand that Distance Learning has been a unique learning experience for families, students, and educators. To date, we have been extremely successful in our efforts. This is cause for Celebration. However, each and every day brings new learnings and chances for growth and improvement. We will always strive to improve in all we do for student success.
In an effort for our students to be successful as well as our understanding that many families have had some technology challenges; all students will have the opportunity to turn in missing assignments that they may have missed for Quarter 1. Although this will not be reflected on their progress reports, it will be on their report cards. Each teacher will post a due date to turn in any missing assignments in their Class Story and Google Classroom. This will allow students to bring up their grades as well as increase their academic achievement and understanding of our curriculum.
We know that we have the best students, families, and educators! Our hope is this will allow our students the opportunity to experience success during these challenging times. Thank you for your support and all that you do.
*Note: It is essential all students have joined their teacher's Google Classrooms- even for Art, Music, and P.E. If you have not done so, please join immediately or contact your teacher for an invite.
Due Date for all missing assignments is Friday; October 23, 2020 by 2:45pm
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Queridas familias,
Nosotros entendemos que el aprendizaje a distancia ha sido una experiencia de aprendizaje única para todas las familias, los estudiantes, y maestros. Pero hasta la fecha, hemos tenido un gran éxito en nuestros esfuerzos. Esto es motivo de celebración. Sin embargo, cada día trae nuevas oportunidades de aprendizajes, crecimiento y para mejorar. Nosotros siempre nos esforzamos para mejorar en todo lo que hacemos para el éxito de los estudiantes.
Es un esfuerzo para que nuestros estudiantes tengan éxito así como también entendemos que muchas familias han tenido algunos desafíos/problemas tecnológicos; todos los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de entregar las asignaciones/tareas que aún no han entregado en el primer trimestre. Aunque esto no se reflejaran en su boleta de progreso del primer trimestre, si estará en las boletas de calificaciones. Cada maestro publicará una fecha límite para entregar las tareas faltantes en su Google Classroom. Esto permitirá a los estudiantes a mejorar sus calificaciones así como también a mejorar/aumentar su rendimiento académico y a comprender de nuestro plan de estudios.
Sabemos que tenemos los mejores estudiantes, familias y maestros! Esperamos que esto les de a nuestros estudiantes la oportunidad de experimentar el éxito durante estos tiempos desafiantes.
Gracias por su apoyo y por todo lo que hacen.
* Nota: Es muy importante que todos los estudiantes se hayan unido a las aulas de Google de sus maestros incluyendo en arte, música y educación física. Si aún no lo ha hecho unase de inmediato o comuníquese con su maestro para que le envíe una invitación.
La fecha límite para todas las asignaciones faltantes es el viernes; 23 de octubre de 2020 a las 2:45 pm
Distance Learning Essentials
P.R.I.D.E. for Distance Learning Matrix v.1
Perseverance
*Attend all my classes
*Make time to watch prerecorded lessons and complete my assignments
*Check my assignment due dates
*Do what I'm supposed to do before I do what I want to do
*Try my best at everything
*If something is difficult, don’t give up- try again
Respect
*Take turns
*Remain positive and have a growth mindset
*Make only respectful and helpful comments
*Pay attention to my gestures and facial expressions
*Treat my school issued equipment with care
*Be supportive of my classmates
Integrity
*Use my technology appropriately
*Turn in only the work I have completed myself
*As for help when needed
*Follow all Classroom procedures and expectations
*Take ownership of my actions, both the good ones and the ones I need to grow in
Dedication
*Be prepared with all materials needed for class
*Attend distance learning classes on time.
*Complete and turn in assignments on time.
*Have my technology ready to go.
Enthusiasm
*Actively participate
*Be engaged in the learning and the assignments
*Help others who may struggle
*Produce creative, thoughtful, and neat work
*Check my work before I turn it in.
+Expectations for participation are to come to class on time, actively engage in instruction, complete assignments, and put forth your best effort.
Attendance
Teachers will take attendance at the beginning of each day in SchoolMax, please refer to their class schedules. At the elementary level, attendance will only be taken at the start of each day. This is an update.
On days when students are unable to attend scheduled classes due to illness, parent work schedule, and child care; parents must communicate the reason for the student’s absence via email or ClassDojo to the student's classroom teacher. All work assigned during the student’s absence remains required for submission. Live recordings and student assignments will be made available to students via Google Classroom.
For Pre-K - third grade students who are unable to check in during live instruction, parents must ensure that the check in is completed before the next instructional day. If parents are unable to check in that day, please contact your child’s teacher via email or ClassDojo so assistance can be provided. For 4th and 5th, the expectation is students will be able to login independently and will be able to attend all live sessions.
During distance learning only, technical issues such as broken equipment or internet outages must be immediately communicated to the student’s teacher and designated school staff via email or ClassDojo so support can be provided as soon as possible. If a student is unable to attend class due to technical difficulties, they will be marked absent, but will have a code of technical difficulties so the absence will not count against the student.
A student will be counted as present on Wednesdays, in our SchoolMax system, if the student does one or more of the following:
○ Submit an assignment to one of their teachers;
○ Engage in synchronous instruction or tutoring with an PGCPS teacher;
○ Meet online with a PGCPS teacher or service provider; or
○ Complete work in our supplemental online education tools where applicable (i.e. DreamBox, i-Ready and iread.