LC Parent Newsletter
The FACE of the Blazers
Welcome to Lewis and Clark
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We would like to welcome you all back to school! Earlier this year our Superintendent Trevor Greene and the Yakima School District announced that the 2020-21 school year would begin with instruction delivered remotely. This scenario generated many questions, mixed emotions, and concerns. We have been working vigorously over these first few weeks to answer those questions and concerns.
At Lewis and Clark, our staff has been working on creating a student and family-friendly distance learning model. Distance learning is different from a traditional classroom. In distance learning education, our staff uses the district’s core 4 technology programs, Google Drive, live-Google Meets, Screencastify to create videos, and Canvas among others to create learning opportunities. With this learning model, it is more important now than ever to ensure our students are engaged and practicing these vital skills everyday. We have to look at education in a different lens. Much of the work that students would complete in the classroom is now done at home. We have to start thinking about this as their classwork, not homework. This is different from the typical school model and we have to adjust our thinking to match this idea.
Other aspects of school remain the same. Attendance is taken daily, even on Wednesdays and Fridays when students do not have a Google Meet. Students are expected to log into their Google Meets and Canvas everyday. Grades will be determined in a traditional fashion, if a student does not attempt to do the work they will receive a failing grade or NC for the class. We expect our students to engage with their learning on a daily basis using technology, as well as working independently during independent work times. Students should be working on schoolwork from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. everyday.
This year, more than ever, parent engagement and communication will be extremely important to help our students be successful. One of our goals is to have contact with each and every family, we ask that you please update your email addresses either in Skyward or with the school office. You will find that our newsletter has an electronic option with tips and videos. The easiest way to access is through your email. We will be using multiple platforms to provide information and announcements, including Robo-calls, letters home, email, social media, and websites. For example, our student schedules have been posted on our website. If you have questions or need help navigating the technology we are using you may contact the office to schedule an appointment so one of our staff members may help you.
We know this will be a challenging year for all. We too have children in the Yakima School District and have experienced firsthand, as both an educator and parent, the difficulties distance learning creates. Our staff at Lewis and Clark is prepared for this challenge and we are committed to helping each student succeed during this challenging time.
As the year progresses, we know you will have questions. We will be providing updates as we move forward. Please keep in close communication with our staff. We thank you for your patience, understanding, and practicing grace. Please take care, keep your social distancing, mask up, and be safe.
We care about our Lewis and Clark Family!
~Mr. Nourani, Mrs. Norman and Mr. Long
Our Awesome Students
Staff Spotlight
Our office secretaries are some of the best on the planet! They, along with some of our para educators, have been offering our Parent Academy after hours. This is a place where LC parents can make an appointment and learn about how to navigate technology alongside your students.
If you'd like to make an appointment, call 573-2200.
THANK YOU Nikki Navarro, Tania Lopez, Martha Garcia and Carole Armstead for your support as we navigate distance learning this year!
Upcoming Events
Google Meets with Families
Join our Lewis and Clark Administrators for a check and connect meeting. During these meetings, we are here to answer your questions. These meeting will happen once a month for each grade level. Google Meet information will be sent to your students email account 30 minutes prior to each meeting.
Evening with Administrators
6th grade - October 1st - 6pm to 7pm
7th grade - October 8th - 6pm to 7pm
8th grade - October 15th - 6pm to 7pm
Title 1 / Skyward Night - October 22nd - 6pm - 7pm - All grades
These meetings will occur monthly - see our website for additional details!
Trading Post
Reading Roundup
In seventh grade ELA we have been working with short stories and excerpts focusing on finding main ideas and key details. So far we have read "Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto and "Barrio Boy" by Ernesto Galarza. Students find that these stories are very easy to relate to as they focus on a couple of Hispanic students on their first day at school. Many students can relate to the nervousness and fear of a new setting. These stories have also given us the opportunity to dive into narrative writing, learning dialogue and how to use quotation marks. We will be reading a couple more stories to round out our first nine weeks of school and will even be writing our own narrative essay!
Sixth grade ELA has been reading "Hatchet" by Gary Paulson. The story is about a young boy who survives an airplane crash in the woods and must survive on his own. Students have been learning about character development, setting, plot, and reflecting on how they would handle being in a similar position. "Hatchet" is a classic novel that students have read in schools for quite some time and continues to be a favorite among teachers and students. When we are done reading the novel, students will write their own essay relating to the experiences they have had during their reading.
Math Minute
Book Nook
Parent Pointers
Contact Us
Jennifer Norman - Assistant Principal / ASB
Steve Long - Assistant Principal / Athletic Director
Chris Whitehurst - Admin Intern
Email: norman.jennifer@ysd7.org
Website: www.ysd7.org/lc
Location: 1114 West Pierce Street, Yakima, WA, USA
Phone: 509-573-2200
Facebook: facebook.com/LewisClark.ysd
Twitter: @LewisClark_ysd