Weekly Update Parents and Students
March 21, 2020
Inspiring Learners to Achieve Extraordinary Success
Federal Testing Requirements, State Grades 3-8 Assessments Suspended
The President announced yesterday that the federal government is going to waive all testing requirements. The New York State Education Department followed by announcing, "The administrations of the 2020 elementary- and intermediate-level State assessments have been suspended for the remainder of this school year. Yea!
Spring Break and Emergency Days relating with 180-day Requirement
Today we received clarification from the Governor regarding whether schools would have to utilize spring break, if we were open by then, and emergency snow days to make up for days closed due to coronavirus.
Here is the official answer:
“Districts will not need to use vacation and emergency days to make up days missed in response to Governor Order 202.4. As part of the Governor Order, school districts are required to develop and implement a plan for alternative instructional options, including distance learning. It is expected that instruction and learning will continue during the two-week period.”
This is great news and should reduce some of the concerns I know many of you had. The governor clarified that under the current Executive Order, schools are scheduled to open April 1. We anticipate the governor to declare another executive order regarding schools this coming week.
My yard this afternoon.
Essential Workers
Yesterday, the Governor announced that 100% of non-essential workers must stay home. After consultation with our attorneys, our meals program will continue. Our tech services team/help desk will still be operating. We will have reduced clerical support to answer phones.
Remote Instruction and Learning
Teachers received these expectations from principals on Friday for Grading:
Effective today these grading practices are in effect until March 26.
Any work you intend to grade should have an open deadline. No zeros.
Any quizzes or tests or other assessments should be put on hold unless you have verified all students taking the assessment have Internet access and have completed any prerequisite work online prior. No exceptions. Good practice would be to wait and offer some practice or pre-assessments to make sure students are comfortable in this mode of learning.
We are working with our Internet providers to connect every student. We anticipate this being accomplished by Wednesday.
In the meantime continue to provide lessons and timely feedback. Not everything needs to be graded. Remember our students are adjusting to this type of learning like you are. Give assignments in small chunks. Displaying or assigning a week’s worth of work can be overwhelming and difficult for our students to manage. Some will thrive in this type of learning environment while others will struggle. Let’s all keep the number of kids struggling to a minimum.
Prior to March 26th the administrative team will provide an update on expectations for grading.
Meals Program Update
PBS
See schedule below
Steve Hartman Will be offering daily 30 minute lessons on Kindness
Here is the story
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-hartmans-kindness-101-online-class-on-the-road/
These lessons begin on Monday at 2:00pm
County Music Fans
Fans can watch the Grand Ole Opry show live at 7 p.m. on Circle, a new country music lifestyle network launched by Opry parent company, Ryman Hospitality, or for free via Circle All Access Facebook and YouTube pages. Catch the Opry radio broadcast via WSM 650 AM in Nashville or digitally at wsmonline.com.
Screen Free
With the added screen time related to school work let us all promise to try and keep our kids off screens on weekends.
It might be a little chilly outside, it is still March, but get them outside. Take a walk, spring clean the yard, ride a bike. Remember kids and adults should be practicing social distancing.
Distance Learning Resources from the Smithsonian
The Smithsonian is committed to supporting teachers and their students around the globe as they face unprecedented new learning challenges. Here, on the Learning Lab, teachers have access to millions of digital resources from across the Smithsonian's museums, research centers, libraries, archives, and more.
Mailing
Hopefully, you aren't stuck in your houses too much.
COVID-19
If you or a student in your household are asked to self-quarantine, or test positive for COVID-19, please contact me. Right now our school must rely on self-reporting.
Tech Services Appreciation Month
MARCH IS TECH SERVICES APPRECIATION MONTH
Social Media
#CACproud
Randy Squier
Email: squierr@cacsd.org
Website: www.cacsd.org/domain/30
Location: 24 Sunset Boulevard, Coxsackie, NY, United States
Phone: 518-731-1710
Twitter: @randysquier
Our Why ~ To develop self-directed college and career ready students
Our What ~ Inspiring Learners to Achieve Extraordinary Success
Our How ~
- Professional Learning Communities
- Growth Mindset
- Student Centered/Directed Learning
- Digital Conversion
- Pathways to Success