GLA Southwest PARENT WEEKLY
'Virtual Global' Highlights May 6th Edition
Greetings Families!
This week we are celebrating our amazing teachers and staff, showering them with "Computer Love". We would love to feature your shoutouts to staff. If you'd like to recognize a specific staff member, please email Principal Evans at tevans@ga-schools.org or send us a message on Instagram at @global_leadership_southwest. Even though we can't be together physically, lets show our staff how much we love them!
This week, there are three items that require your immediate attention:
1) School District Parent Surveys: Thus far, only 39% of our parents have taken the survey. Our goal is for at least 75% completion. As you know, each year we are required to have our parents complete the School District of Philadelphia Parent Survey. Your completion of the survey impacts GLA's overall score on the annual ACE report, so we need your help. Please take a few minutes to use the link below and complete the survey for each of your scholars at GLASW ASAP.
2) Feedback on Scholar Personal Items: The Covid-19 pandemic forced us to leave school unexpectedly. As we make preparations to close out the school year, safety is our top priority. With social distancing orders still in effect, we are looking to minimize trips to the school. Parents, if you scholar has personal items that you need to retrieve, please complete the survey here.
3.) Parent Meeting: This upcoming week we will host grade group parent meetings to discuss how scholars will be graded for the remainder of the year. We are asking that you read the information below regarding the parent meeting.
As always, we thank you for your unwavering support and look forward to a month of awesome virtual teaching and learning.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Evans, CEO/Principal
Mr. Choice, Assistant Principal
IF YOUR SCHOLAR LEFT ANYTHING IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING THAT NEEDS TO BE RETRIEVED PLEASE FILL OUT THE ATTACHED FORM SO A TIME AND DATE CAN BE SET UP FOR RETRIEVAL. ALL OTHER ITEMS NOT RETRIEVED WILL BE DISCARDED.
All Parents will need to use your scholar's ID to answer the survey. You all receiveD an email with the ID#. If You Did Not Receive The Email You Can Contact Your Child's Teacher For Your Scholar's ID #.
Please join us for an important parent meeting to discuss 'Virtual Global' grading policy for this trimester. Zoom information will be provided by teachers. Parents with multiple scholars only need to attend one of the meeting times listed below.
Calling all 1st and 5th grade parents...Please join us in our very first parent social hour.
It's Time To Celebrate Our Amazing Teachers And Staff... We Are Asking All Scholars To Participate In Our Staff Appreciation Week Activities By Doing The Following For Any Special Staff Member:
Imitation Is The Best Form Of Flattery Highlights
Ms. Jones is always there to fix my crown.
MRS. WILLIAMS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TEACHERS
Ms. Dutton's Art Projects Are Highlighted By These Scholars
Performing Legends are Rocking Reading!
On March 27, Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 422, which reschedules Pennsylvania’s primary election from April 28 to June 2 due to the COVID-19 emergency. Voters have the option to vote by mail-in ballot rather than going to their polling place on election day. Mail-in ballot applications will be accepted through Tuesday, May 26, 2020. If a voter has already applied for an absentee or mail-in ballot, they do NOT need to reapply.
What Are Mail-In Ballots ?
What are mail ballots?
In Pennsylvania, you now have two options for mail ballots. You may either choose a mail-in ballot or an absentee ballot to request, complete, and return to your county election office.
- Absentee ballot – If you plan to be out of the municipality on election day or if you have a disability or illness, you should request this ballot type, which still requires you to list a reason for your ballot.
- Mail-in ballot – Any qualified voter may apply for a mail-in ballot. You may simply request this ballot without a reason.
In order to request either ballot type, you must be registered to vote. Please visit Check Your Registration Status to review your registration information
Scholar Attendance Matters! Attendance will be taken by homeroom teachers during the three days of scheduled Harambee and during any office hour sessions that scholars participate in as a method to document attendance. Please ensure your scholars are in attendance on all scheduled days.
With the city closed to slow the spread of Covid-19, many women, men and children have been forced to stay with an abusive partner. Help centers across the city are OPEN and available to help and can provide free, confidential counseling, shelter and legal support.
· The Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline (1-866-723-3014) is still open and available to offer counseling and resources.
· If you are unable to speak on the phone safely, log on to thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.
Websites: https://www.womenagainstabuse.org/
· If you are a parent or scholar at GLA and would like to speak to your social worker for support, please contact them: nshabazz@glacharter.org (west); tharris@ga-schools.org (southwest)
FOLLOW THIS SECTION FOR COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT 'VIRTUAL GLOBAL' AND QUESTIONS SPECIFIC TO GLASW NEXT STEPS:
1. How long will school be closed?
The Department of Education in collaboration with the State Health Department & Governor's Office have announced that all PA schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year.
2. Can my child use a cell phone or other home device to do their Remote Learning?
For a successful experience with 'Virtual Global' we are not recommending that a cell phone be your child's only accessible device. The device used needs to have internet access, the ability to compose writing assignments (typing or voice recognition) and the ability to access their Google classrooms.
3. We are confused about the assignment or having technology issues accessing the lessons/assignments - what do we do?
Please email the teacher first and give them time to respond. For tech issues, send email to: ParentTechHelp@ga-schools.org and someone will connect with you as soon as possible.
4. Can I still sign-up for a Chromebook for my scholar?
We have completed our Chromebook distribution to the 450 families that completed the needs based survey. We also contacted all parents on the waiting list for pick up of technology during our third round of distribution. Thank you to all families who participated and received their devices. At this time we will not be taking any more requests for devices.
5. Will our scholars still be traveling on global excursions and if not do we receive a refund?
We have currently cancelled the 8th grade excursion and postponed the 5, 6 and 7th grade excursions due to the social distancing expectations of our country. All 8th grade scholars are being prioritized for refunds and 5, 6, and 7th grade scholars will be contacted on an individual basis to discuss next steps within the next 3-weeks.
6. If my child has completed their packet how do we submit it to the teacher?
We are asking you at this time to store completed packets in a safe area and when we have further information on a safe way to submit the completed assignments we will inform you.
7. Will there be any closing exercise activities for 8th grade scholars?
We are currently discussing what closing exercises will look like for our 8th grade Rites of Passage. We will not have a face to face ceremony this year but we are working to ensure our 8th grade scholars are celebrated for this milestone.
Please be reminded that I am available for each of you during this time of uncertainty. If for whatever reason you need Global in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out. If we cannot help you personally, we will definitely direct you to a resource that can help. So, please feel free to contact me if needed. Also, please reach out to let me know how you and your child/ren are doing during this time of home learning. I can be reached @ 215-681-1504.
With Warm Regards,
Ms. Fuller