The TIGER Times
Together We Will Learn, Excel, and Succeed
A Message from Mrs. Fockler, Principal
August 17th Edition
Dear Lewistown Families,
Greeting Lewistown Tigers! Another week brings more updates! Our staff are working hard preparing virtual schedules, organizing materials for Home Learning Kits and preparing their Schoology platform. While many families are excited about the beginning of the school year, we recognize that many are feeling anxious and uncertain. We are committed to helping families and their young students to be successful in our NEW virtual learning environment!
As we finalize schedules this week, it is our highest priority to create opportunities to work with families and provide flexibility. Face-to-face instruction and offline learning are balanced, with consideration given to regular breaks and reasonable expectations for students. We will phase in a full schedule, with expectations for time spent in virtual learning increasing as students become comfortable with the digital tools. This will vary depending on the student’s age and developmental level. Each schedule includes a balance of virtual real-time instruction, independent working time and non-screen time activities in all content areas. Teachers will be purposeful in scheduling breaks into the day for students. Virtual schedules will be sent out later this week via Find Out First.
Teachers are excited to invite students and parents to a Virtual Meet the Teacher! Sessions will be held on Friday, August 28th at 10 am or 3 pm (pick one time). You will learn more about the teacher, the virtual platform- Schoology, curriculum and classroom expectations.
For students and parents to be able to join the google meeting rooms on August 28th, you'll need to be logged into the google chrome browser with your child's FCPS account. As a security precaution when using a google meet nickname, only FCPS staff and students can join. See your Schoology login information for your username and password. This will be provided during the drive through Learning Kit Pick-Up (see below).
Reminder:
- Students (or for parents to be able to join using their child's FCPS account) will need to be logged into a Chrome browser with the student's FCPS account
- Directions are located on the left side of this page on how to set that up with your child
- Passcodes will be distributed during our LES Learning Kit Pick-up
Having your child practice logging in to the Virtual Meet the Teacher session is a great way to ensure that they know how to use their correct passwords AND have their devices set up properly to join their meets on the first day of school. We hope you can attend! We will be recording sessions in order to provide opportunities for families to view multiple sessions at their convenience.
The Virtual Learning Lab will be available for family practice during the day on August 28 from 10:00 - 4:00. Go to meet.google.com and enter LEWES-Lab. If you have trouble connecting, please send an email to jeremy.kraeuter@fcps.org .
Communication:
Find Out First - This will be the main form of communication this year. All guardian email addresses are automatically uploaded to Find Out First at the start of the school year. If you change your email address at any point, please notify our school office so you will continue to get Find Out First notifications.
Twitter- Please follow our school on twitter at @LESFCPS.
TIGER Times- This newsletter is full of important information for the school year.
LES School Website- School updates and resources are available on our website.
Technology Deployment: Technology needs should be requested as you complete your child's Student Learning Profile. We are working to fulfill technology needs on Thursday, August 27th during the LES Home Learning Kit Pick-Up. We will provide additional updates next week.
Schedules: We understand the vast needs of our youngest learners. We will be working to balance the amount of online time with offline and hands on activities. We will be sharing student schedules this week. Please know that your child's teacher will provide even more clarity and instructions as we get closer to the first day of school, August 31, 2020.
Home Learning Kits: We understand the vast needs of our youngest learners. We will be preparing home learning kits that will allow students to have hands on materials to enhance the virtual model. Our teachers are already carefully creating lists of items that will be most beneficial to your student! See below for more information!
Schoology and Training: Your child will be receiving his/her student code during our Back-2-School Home Learning Kit Pick-up on Thursday, August 27. They will need this code to access resources and assignments. We will be providing onboarding trainings for families and students- stay tuned for more details! Take a look at the FCPS Resources to help you get started are found here.
Let’s continue to take it one day at a time as we move forward with virtual learning! Please look for more information in the coming days and weeks. Thank you for your continued support and positivity as we strive to do what is best for all of our students during these challenging times.
Together in heart and mind,
Mrs. Belinda Fockler, principal
#TeamLES
@FCPSBFockler
Thank you for coming to our Meet and Greet with Principal Fockler! Success!
How Do I Make Virtual Back-to-School Special?
USA Today Article:
Have you completed your child's Student Learning Profile?
Please indicate your technology needs in the Student Planning Profile. You do not need to contact the school for technology needs. We will be working to secure the needed technology for families.
Thursday, August 27th: Back- 2- School LES Home Learning Kits Pick Up!
We are happy to provide Home Learning Kits for our students for virtual learning! These resources will be needed to support and enhance instruction.
Other materials will include:
- Yearbooks (if they were ordered)
- Calendars
- Office forms
- Chromebooks/ Hot Spots (ordered via survey or requests)
We look forward to see our LES families and students!
Please call the front office if you are unable to come during these scheduled times.
A Message from Ms. MacKay, LES Coordinator of Specialized Programs
The announcement has been made! Virtual Learning for the first semester for most students.
There has been a few less familiar words tossed around since this announcement and I wanted to take a moment to define two of them. Synchronous and Asynchronous. What exactly does Synchronous and Asynchronous learning mean?
As we embark on round 2 of virtual learning, are you ready? Is your student ready?
Some tips from the book The Distance Learning Playbook are suggested to ensure your family is ready to engage in synchronous and asynchronous learning:
Before we start: (Things you can do now to be ready for August 31st!)
· Establish a quiet work area
· Ensure the quiet area is a clear, clutter free work space where materials can be stored and technology accessed (Do you have strong wifi from the work space?)
· Ensure the quiet area is well lit in order to be seen during on line instruction
· Take a 360* turn from the work space to ensure there is nothing personal visable to the camera
During synchronous instruction:
· Ask questions
· Listen carefully
· React positively to peers to encourage engagement
· Mute your mic if not speaking
During asynchronous instruction:
· Ask questions for clarity
· Ensure you can access the tasks
· Complete necessary work
August 31st will be the beginning to an amazing school year! We are Tiger Strong and Lewistown United!
Please contact me if you have any questions, or concerns at any time. I am happy to help!
Meghan.Little@fcps.org 240-236-3704
-Meghan MacKay, Coordinator of Specialized Programs
School Supply Distribution:
Catoctin feeder schools:
Tuesday, August 18, 9 AM-7 PM Graceham Moravian Church, 8231-A Rocky Ridge Road, Thurmont
LES VISION STATEMENT
Lewistown Elementary School
Ms. Meghan MacKay- Special Education Coordinator
Mrs. Kimberly Little- Secretary
Mrs. Stacy Bokinsky- School Counselor
Email: belinda.fockler@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/les/home
Location: 11119 Hessong Bridge Road Thurmont, MD 21788
Phone: 240-236-3750
Twitter: @TeamLES