Elm Street 2020 VIRTUAL Opening
2020 Revised Reopening FAQ for Elm Street Families
Virtual Learning, here we come! Safety remains priority; evolving plans.
All CCSS students will be supported through virtual learning from August 13-September 4 with the hope of returning to face to face instruction in some form after Labor Day. Health data will be reassessed the last week of August to determine if it is safe for students to return after September 4. Your child's health and safety and the safety of all stakeholders has been and will continue to be a priority for the Coweta County School System and Elm Street Elementary.
Now that all students will begin Virtual learning August 13 do I need to register for Empower?
No, only if you are planning to keep your child in the virtual setting when others return to a face-to-face model. The window is reopened to allow parents who missed the earlier July window (or were not ready to decide) another opportunity to enroll in our ongoing virtual model. Again, there is no need to register for Empower at this time unless you are planning to keep your child in the virtual learning setting when others return to face-to-face instruction. A registration link is available on the Elm Street website or the Empower website.
If you have already registered for Empower and have decided you would like to remove your child, please contact the front office to let us know. 770-254-2865
When a decision is made to safely return to face-to-face learning, parents will have the option of continuing with virtual learning through Empower. When face-to-face learning resumes, Empower will likely look a little different. We anticipate that teachers will still offer a combination of what we call synchronous and asynchronous sessions for virtual students, however, it will be important to note that you can expect a few changes as teacher time will be spent in both face-to-face and virtual learning.
WIll my K-5 child receive a chromebook?
Yes, our technology department is working to have chromebooks delivered to schools as soon as possible for student pickup. Third grade students will receive their new chromebook as originally scheduled. K-2 students will have devices from our gently used collection - fear not, every device is in good working order! Drive thru pickup will be scheduled the week of August 10. Fourth and fifth grade students already have a CCSS device. Any fourth or fifth grade student new to Coweta County will be able to pick up their device at the scheduled drive thru times.
Will my students receive textbooks or other classroom materials?
Yes! Although the elementary level does not use many traditional textbooks, learning materials will be provided for all families during our upcoming drive thru beginning August 10.
What information is available for Pre-K parents about virtual learning?
Parents of registered Pre-K students should check their email today for specific information about the virtual Pre-K program.
Will students still receive meals?
Our school nutrition team is thrilled to continue providing assistance to our students in Coweta County as we transition to virtual learning on August 13, 2020. They are dedicated to making meals accessible to students during these unprecedented times.
The link below will allow any interested parents to sign up for meal pick-up or meal delivery beginning Thursday, August 13 (this is the only week we will do a Thursday meal distribution as meal distribution will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of each week). Beginning August 17, meal distribution will be on Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
What do I do if I don’t have internet access?
Please reach out to the front office team at 770-254-2865 to share your needs. Our district has purchased wifi hot spots. When you contact us to share your needs we will work with the district to determine how to meet the need.
When will I know my child’s teacher and class schedule?
All schools are working to finalize schedules and class rosters. At Elm Street, we expect to be able to share teacher names and roster information beginning the week of August 10. We will work to balance rosters following the close of the newly opened Empower window and will share that information as soon as we can.
Grade level schedules will be shared the week of August 10 as well, if not sooner. Parents can anticipate that students will engage with their teacher in live online sessions throughout the day. Of course, there will not be steady screen time required from 8:00-2:30; segments will be broken up and there will be a balance of direct teacher-led instruction along with segments of independent and guided practice throughout the day. Students and teachers will also engage in small group learning sessions in our online format. Students will also participate in live specials classes with their teachers throughout the week in a rotation similar to their face-to-face rotations. Specials classes will likely be a blend of live and recorded sessions, with regularly scheduled live instruction for classes such as PE and Music and recorded offerings for Art and Think Tank.
What can I do to help my child be ready on August 13?
Determine a workspace in your setting that your child will use for virtual learning. Keep in mind, just as we expected in the spring, students will be asked to be sitting up in a location as free from distractions as possible. Ideally your child will be participating in live classroom sessions at various times throughout the school day. He or she will need a place to be able to log in to do so.
Also, here is a link to learn about Google Classroom. Our 2nd-5th graders have used Google Classroom in the past and will continue to do so. So, if you have a rising 3rd-5th grader, he or she probably already knows a lot about Google Classroom, but you may not. This is a great way to learn more about it if you're ready.
Will my child still receive special education support?
Yes! Parents of students who receive special education services will be contacted by their case managers August 3 - August 12. Case managers will be able to begin to answer any questions you might have at that time about specific services. Our special education staff will still be providing both collaborative and skills times just like they would provide if they were in the school building. Here is a video from Dr. Melissa Casablanca, Director of Special Education with more information about what you can expect. This model may be adjusted once face-to-face instruction resumes, but our goal (if possible) is to keep it consistent for those who choose to remain virtual students. Regardless of the future model, services will always be provided to qualifying students whether face-to-face or virtual.
What about Reach students?
If your child participates in the Reach Program, you will continue to have those services through the virtual world by our Reach Teacher, Ms. Laura Bass. While we are 100% Virtual your child will receive these services through Ms. Bass on the Reach Day normally scheduled for the grade level (varies each year). On that day, your child and other Reach students in the grade level will meet virtually for instruction. On those days, your child will not log in with their regular classroom teacher; instead, they will log in with Ms. Bass for instruction. This model may be adjusted once face-to-face instruction resumes, but our goal (if possible) is to keep it consistent for those who choose to remain virtual students.
When face-to-face resumes, will my child have to wear a face mask?
In accordance with current public health guidance it is anticipated (when face-to-face instruction is safe to resume) that all Coweta Schools students (2nd-12th) and staff will wear cloth face coverings on school buses and in any spaces where social distancing cannot be accommodated. There were some notable exceptions such as when eating or drinking. Please see the image below for additional information.
Will the school employ measures for social distancing?
Yes, as much as possible. Coweta County School System employees, students, parents, and any essential visitors will be encouraged to stay approximately 6 feet away from others, if possible, and avoid contact with others.
Elm Street will implement several practices where feasible to follow best hygiene practices and assist in social distancing, including encouraging hand-washing and requiring face coverings when social distancing cannot be maintained. To the extent feasible, students will not share personal items, electronics, toys, books and other games or learning aids. We are working to minimize student traffic flow and developing traffic flow patterns to maximize social distancing, increasing desk spacing where possible, turning desks to face the same way where possible, minimizing group settings and limiting mixing between groups.
Students at increased risk of severe illness should implement individualized plans for distance learning.
Please remain watchful for any of the following symptoms
Information about COVID-19
Elm Street Elementary
Empowering success in school and life.
Email: christi.hildebrand@cowetaschools.org
Website: www.cowetaschools.org/eses
Phone: (770) 254-2865
Twitter: @ElmStreetELM