Swansboro Elementary
May 3, 2020
Happy Sunday Pirate Families!
I hope you all found some time this weekend to enjoy the beautiful weather. This week we will continue with our virtual learning. I can't tell you how proud I am of the students' work that I have seen taking place daily through virtual learning. That is great news because I am sure my Pirates won't miss a beat when we are able to return to school. Thank you to all of our parents that are working hard to make sure that learning continues to be a priority despite this challenging time. Also thank you so much for the wonderful cards, gifts and video messages that you sent me for Principal's Day on Friday. You really know how to make me feel loved!
This week is OCS Staff Appreciation Week and national Teacher Appreciation Week. I just wanted to take a few minutes to let the teachers and staff at SBES know just how grateful I am for each one of them. Each year I continued to be even more impressed by their dedication to our students. The sacrifices they make daily do not go unnoticed. It takes a lot of hard work to meet the needs of an entire class of students and our staff does this daily with love and grace. I appreciate how despite any challenge thrown at them, my teachers and staff rise to the occasion and do whatever it takes to make sure that our students safe and successful. I hope that you all will join me in taking time this week to let our teachers and staff know just how appreciated they truly are. If you would like to drop off cards or a treat, please feel free to do so anytime Monday -Friday 9 am -3 pm. We will make sure they get it. An email, video, photo, or a shout out on social media would also be a great way to brighten their day!
Rising 6th graders, a virtual SBMS orientation and registration will be pushed out to students via TEAMS tomorrow. After receiving this information, if you have questions feel free to reach out to the SBMS counselors, Bridget Grady (bridget.grady@onslow.k12.nc.us) and Kevin Dick (kevin.dick@onslow.k12.nc.us). They will be glad to help you.
We are currently waiting on additional guidance from the district regarding end of year close out procedures. No worries, once decisions have been made, I will sent out all of the details. I am not sure what our end of year celebrations will look like, but I can assure you that we will do something to recognize our kindergartners and Fifth graders and provide closure for all of our students and staff. For now, just focus on continuing with virtual learning.
Yearbooks are on sale now through May 15th. You can order online at www.strawbridge.net and enter the code YB106907. The cost is $17 and it is absolutely fabulous. You will not want to miss out on this. Please reach out to Mrs. Green (Alysen.Green@onslow.k12.nc.us) if you have any questions regarding yearbooks.
Behavior Expectations for Virtual Learning
Now that students are becoming more comfortable with online learning, we are noticing some behavior concerns. Please take a few minutes to speak with your child regarding behavior expectations for virtual learning. Below are a few things that we have observed that are causing a disruption to learning.
* Please do not unmute your mic unless directed by the teacher.
*Please do not post emojis and comments unrelated to the lesson in the chat bar. This is for questions and responses to the lesson.
*Please do not email the entire class. Students may email teachers only regarding school work, but do not need to email their questions or work to the entire group. Email should only be used for educational purposes, not for personal use.
* Please make sure that your conversations and your submitted work and videos are school appropriate. If it is not appropriate for the classroom, then it is not appropriate to be posted online either.
*Please do not start sessions. The teacher will be the one to begin the session.
*Please do not record and share videos and images of teachers and other students. Doing so violates others' privacy.
* Please keep in mind that OCS 1:1 devices are to be used appropriately and only for educational purposes, failure to do so can result in loss of device.
* Parents please make sure that you are monitoring your child's technology. We have had several Tik Tok videos, SnapChats, posts, texts, etc. that have been shared with other students that are not appropriate. With so many people online, it is critical that you are monitoring your child's usage to ensure that they are representing themselves in a manner that you would approve and that they are being safe online.
Need tech support
Due to school closures because of COVID-19 and to maintain the continuity of digital instruction, the OCS Instructional Technology Department has implemented a plan to repair broken or malfunctioning district-issued student devices. Students will be able to drop off a broken or malfunctioning district-issued laptop, have an IT Technician repair the device, and have it ready to be picked up within 24 hours.
District-issued student laptops requiring repair during the disrupted school schedule because of COVID-19 can be dropped off between 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the following locations:
- Dixon Elementary School
- Hunters Creek Elementary School
- Jacksonville High School
- Northside High School
- Richlands Elementary School
- Southwest High School
- Swansboro High School
There will be a Technician in the front office area during these times to receive laptops.
The student/parent should plan on the student being without a device for the following 24 hours.
Students may pick up their laptops at the same location on the following day between the hours of 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
THE STUDENT MUST BE PRESENT TO PICK UP THE DEVICE ONCE IT IS REPAIRED BECAUSE THE STUDENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO LOGIN TO THE DEVICE WHILE IT IS ON OUR NETWORK.
Technical support may be accessed via phone at 910-989-2101 from 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
STUDENT NUTRITION HUBS
Backpack Buddies
Printed Materials
Free WIFI
Swansboro Elementary
Email: page.highsmith@onslow.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.onslow.k12.nc.us/swansboroes
Location: 118 School Road, Swansboro NC
Phone: 910-326-1501
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swansboroelementaryschool
Twitter: @SBESPirates