Prestwick STEM Academy
Prestwick Profile - Community Vol. 33 April 6, 2020
E-Learning & Virtual Spirit Days!
Prestwick LEarns: Tips for Parents
1. So many tech tools and websites - I am overwhelmed!
Almost every digital sight is familiar to your child - so first ask them where to find it. We bet they can show you. If they can't contact the child's teacher. Every content area included low tech and high tech options so if all else fails go low tech.
2. Teacher office hours are 10-12 and 3-4.
Many teachers are hopping on zoom during this time to review key information and touch base with their class. They are posting zoom codes securely on their learning management systems. If you are not sure where that is click the link below parent guide as we have neatly compiled that in one place for you.
3. What do I do if my child says I am explaining it wrong OR we are struggling with the material?
DON'T STRESS - email or call your child's teachers and set up some office hour time. We are here to support you.
4. How long should daily work take us?
Please know that the learning plan is for the whole week - don't try to get it done all in one day. Students should work 30-40 minutes max per content area they are assigned. Bit size chunks should be done and submitted to the teacher. Brain breaks are important in between for both you and them. If you are going much longer than this please contact your child's teacher for ideas and/or adaptations. Likewise if it is too easy contact your child's teacher. The first week WAS designed to be very simple to get everyone into the flow. As we move forward it will be increasing in rigor.
5. Are teachers reviewing the work?
YES they are - we are reviewing the work and providing feedback just as we do during the school year. We are monitoring progress for each learner. Due to this we do need students completing the work in the learning continuity plan. If we don't see work teachers will follow up to verify all is ok.
6. If I am a working parent and I need time to dedicate to that how can I balance both of these?
We appreciate you are in new roles. Setting times that you dedicate to school can work around your schedule. LEISD has decided to begin posting learning plans on the weekend to assist families with this.
7. Low tech is no longer available - that was my plan - what should I do?
We understand your concern. Here are a few ideas in hopes one works for you: You may print your own packet. You may look at options via the website and use paper pencil task. If you do this a picture can be sent to the teacher as evidence of completion. In cases where you absolutely can not access the materials: you and your child's teacher can talk about options that keep them learning and can be counted for the work you are doing with your child.
Based upon communication from parents our team reviewed this week that clarifying documents such as checklist would be helpful to parents. Several of our teams worked on a template for this and will be sharing this week. We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping communication flowing between your child's teacher and yourself if you need help. This transition is a challenge but we truly believe as a team this is possible. See the two links below for tools for parents during this time!
We did receive several positive shout outs for staff. We also had lots of positive celebrations on Facebook. Keep those coming as it really is a boost to everyone's spirit during this time. We did keep some engagement tasks for this week which are optional just to keep our Prestwick LOBO SPIRIT positive! Don't forget to use our hashtag #PSAlimitlesslearning
Let's have a great week!
Mrs. Gibson and your Proud Prestwick Team
Do you need internet while we are e-learning?
#PSALimitLessLearning
Staff Spotlight
This week we celebrate our amazing librarian, Mrs. Wyse. April 4th is designated as National School Librarian Day and we want to thank her for working with our students!
Here is a little bit about Ms. Wyse:
I am very excited to be the Library Media Specialist at Prestwick STEM Academy! I come from a background of 15 years in the elementary classroom. I have taught previously in both Arlington, and Little Elm. This is my fourth year as a Library Media Specialist and I am thrilled to be on such an amazing campus! A Library Media Specialist is a mix of both a librarian and a technologist that helps to bridge skills between both.
I have a bachelor’s in elementary education from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, and a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Reading from the University of North Texas. I am certified in grades 1-8, ESL, and as a school librarian.
I live in Frisco with my husband Jesse, daughters Hailey and Hannah, and dogs Jilly and Buddy.
Need to Speak To A Counselor??
Meal Program Changes
We at Little Elm ISD continue to support each other as a community, and right now, we must work together even more to fight COVID-19. As we continue to provide meals to our families, we have to do it in a way that reduces exposure and risk to the staff, parents, and students.
Beginning Monday, April 6, we will be distributing meals one day a week on Mondays between 12-1:30 at the following locations:
- Brent Elementary
- Chavez Elementary
- Hackberry Elementary
- Oak Point Elementary
- Lakeside Middle School
- Hilltown Neighborhood at Post Oak and Cottonwood bus stop
Meal distribution will continue to be a “Grab and Go” set up. One person will exit the vehicle and grab one bag that holds five breakfasts and one bag that holds five lunches for the students who need meals. People who walk to a location should keep their distance from each other while grabbing their meals.
Staff will be on-hand monitoring and will maintain a six-foot space between everyone who is present.
Children no longer are required to be present to receive the meal, however, parents will need to bring ONE of the following documents to receive a meal:
- Official Letter/email from school listing children enrolled
- Individual student report cards
- Attendance record from parent portal of school website
- Birth certificate for children not in school
- Student ID cards
The safety of our community is our number one priority. Based on the guidance from health experts, we feel this is a safer way to continue meal service to our families.
Yearbook Ordering - Still Available!!!
Important Dates
May 4 - Students Return to School (Tentative)
*** stay tuned to our Prestwick Profile for new dates for postponed events
Technology Issue??
Community Section
Dual Language Meetings for 2020-2021 Kinder Students
If you know of anyone of you yourself are interested in attending the second dual language parent meeting, please know, we have recorded the presentation and it's available on our www.littleelmisd.net/duallanguage page. At the end of the presentation, there is information on how to register your "attendance."
Need A Place To Go Virtually??
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP @ STEM CENTER OF EXCELLENCE – BE A CITIZEN SCIENTIST!
Produced by DiscoveryEd in conjunction with Girl Scouts, kids will have fun unleashing their inner scientist right from their own neighborhoods or backyards. The video was produced at The Girl Scouts STEM Center of Excellence in Dallas and includes at-home activities for families and resources for educators. Girlsleadstem.com/virtual-field-trip
FACEBOOK LIVE EVENTS
Join us at facebook.com/gsnetx every weekday at 10 a.m. for live, hands-on activities for all-ages.
· Tuesdays: explore different career paths through our Girl Scout Leadership Institute
· Wednesdays: tune in to ‘Ask the Expert’. Our guest experts will lead everyone through a short activity to introduce their area of expertise and then answer any questions girls may have
· Thursdays: learn how to complete a simple service project to help make the world a better place. Each project is designed to utilize materials you already have at home to encourage giving back while social distancing
· Fridays: burn energy through our ‘Strong Girls’ series. Each week, we will introduce a curated playlist of age-appropriate and fun ways to stay physically healthy at home
This programming will be posted on our Facebook page, website, and YouTube account.
Questions about any of these activities? Email programs@gsnetx.org.
NOT YET A GIRL SCOUT?
That’s okay! These activities are free, and ALL girls are encouraged to participate. If you’d like to join or learn more about Girl Scouts, visit us at gsnetx.org/join or send us a note at join@gsnetx.org. Extended year membership opens April 1 and is $35 for 18 months of Girl Scouts.
RAISING AWESOME GIRLS & PARA SU FAMILIA – RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
For guidance on navigating your children through this season, visit our blog Raising Awesome Girls. All articles are also available in Spanish at Para Su Familia. You are welcome to share these resources within your network, include in your e-newsletters or share on your social channels. (Articles by Girl Scouts of the USA.)
Here are three popular articles that may interest you:
7 Ways to Deal When the World Is Just So Overwhelming
Beyond Virtual Field Trips: Distance Learning During Coronavirus School Closures
Help Kids Cope with Disappointment in the Face of COVID-19