Captain's Log
PASS CHRISTIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Ahoy, Pirates!
Wow! What an awesome week! Each time I think I have seen all that Pirate educators are capable of doing, you never cease to amaze me! I have never been more proud to be a Pirate than I was this week. Your commitment to excellence shone through in so many ways. Our community has expressed its overwhelming appreciation for all that you are doing and will do for our Pirate learners.
We are writing a new chapter of Pirate legacy that will redefine our partnership with our parents as well as re-imagine learning for over 2000 students. The manner in which you have approached this challenge has sent the message that we fully intend to give our students our best. You have laid the groundwork for the debut of the Pirate e-Learning Academy and the future of education in Pass Christian has never looked brighter.
In this week's background photo, Mrs. Mitchell (DES) said it best. It is time for us to show our community the "remix." Stay committed and lean in! We are here to support you!
With that, I submit the Captain's Log. #HOMETOGETHER #2020vision #committedtoeXcellence #eXcellencemarksthespot cje
Photo Credit: Mrs. Shelly Mitchell
ANNOUNCEMENTS
General Work Expectations
- Maintain at least 6 ft distance from others. (social distancing)
- Stay home if experiencing symptoms (fever >=100.4 degrees, dry persistent cough, & shortness of breath)
- Cough/sneeze into the arm or a tissue (dispose of immediately)
- Wash hands frequently (if no soap is available, use hand sanitizer with 60%+ alcohol)
CREATING TEACHING VIDEOS USING SCREENCASTIFY
HOURLY EMPLOYEES: TIME DESCRIPTION OF WORK NEEDED
OPERATION: MEALS 2 GO!
SPRING BREAK: APRIL 6-10, 2020
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UPDATES
ONE YEAR LICENSURE RENEWAL EXTENSION: MDE’s Office of Educator Licensure announced Tuesday that effective with licensure renewal applications received Monday, March 23, 2020, and thereafter, a one-year extension will be granted to those educators holding a standard Mississippi educator license that is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2020, only. Educators can begin submitting the licensure renewal application request via their respective Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS) account Monday, March 23, 2020. Again, this only applies to standard Mississippi educator licenses that are scheduled to expire June 30, 2020. This includes standard Mississippi licenses held by teachers, administrators, and instructional support personnel. Those educators who have already completed all requirements for licensure renewal are encouraged to complete the application process for obtaining their five-year license.
STATE TESTING: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced that students impacted by school closures due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can bypass standardized testing for the 2019-2020 school year. Upon request, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will grant a waiver to any state that is unable to assess its students due to the ongoing national emergency, providing relief from federally mandated testing requirements for this school year.
The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted on March 19 to suspend all federal and state assessments for the 2019-20 school year and to submit a waiver request to ED for exemption of those federal requirements.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: COVID-19 resources on Special Ed Connection - School districts have access to Special Ed Connection (www.specialedconnection.com). Special Ed Connection is your one-stop shop for guidance, proven strategies and helpful tools you can use every day to obtain clarification of special education requirements and services. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team at Special Ed Connection will be providing guidance and resources that address many of the issues you are facing with regard to how to provide FAPE to students with disabilities during school closures.
Each day the Special Ed Connection team will be posting new resources and guidance, so be sure to log in as often as you are able. To log in, go to www.specialedconnection.com and enter your district’s username and password (both must be entered in lowercase letters only).
Questions for the MDE Office of Special Education: The MDE Office of Special Education (OSE) understands that the past week has been full of changes and that you have many questions as you continue to work to ensure the best possible services are provided to all students. We also understand that if you have questions, chances are, your colleagues have the same questions. In order to answer your questions/concerns as quickly and as efficiently as possible, the OSE will begin utilizing the Special Education Directors listserv to address your questions each evening, beginning Monday, March 23, 2020. To begin, we ask that you email your top three questions/concerns to Sharon Coon (scoon@mdek12.org) with the subject line COVID-19 Questions.
OSE will work to answer your questions as quickly as possible. To make sure that we give you accurate information, it may require additional time to answer your questions. Our goal is to provide you with ongoing support and resources as we navigate this uncharted territory together.
DUAL CREDIT: Course Online Access - As districts work to support our students with online learning, consideration should be given to provide district laptops to students currently enrolled in dual enrollment/credit courses. Many community colleges are communicating with their local districts about the current semester and would like to ensure students will be able to complete their classes.
COLLEGE BOARD (ADVANCED PLACEMENT): As schools and communities navigate the unprecedented challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the health and safety of educators and students are the AP Program’s top priorities. College Board is providing the following resources to support Advanced Placement students:
free remote learning resources
development of a new at-home testing option
Through our members across the country, we understand the new time constraints on everyone in the education community. These solutions are meant to be as simple and lightweight as possible for both students and teachers — without creating additional burdens for school leaders during this time.
Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place.
Some students may want to take the exam sooner rather than later, while the content is still fresh. Other students may want more time to practice. For each AP subject, there will be 2 different testing dates.
The full exam schedule, specific free-response question types that will be on each AP Exam, and additional testing details will be available by April 3. We'll also unlock any relevant free-response questions in AP Classroom for digital use so students can access all practice questions of the type that will appear on the exam.
Additional dates and scheduled College Board communications:
March 20 - update on AP Central is posted online HERE.
March 23 – an update will be sent to students.
March 25 – students will have access to free, live AP review lessons, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. These optional, mobile-friendly classes are designed to be used alongside work that may be given by schools.
April 3 – the full exam schedule including the specific free-response question types that will comprise each AP exam will be published.
April 30 – AP Coordinators should indicate all students eligible for a fee reduction in AP Registration and Ordering (APRO) if they have not already done so.
Please continue to check the AP Updates for Schools Impacted by Coronavirus webpage for ongoing updates and links.
MSIS & OTSS SUPPORT:
Monthly MSIS Student Data
All districts will continue to submit their monthly student data to MSIS. Because schools are currently closed, OTSS will open the Month 7 Student Data Submission window on March 18 for early submission, but the deadline to complete Month 7 will remain April 10.
MSIS and the District Events Calendar
For reporting of any days of closure due the ongoing state of emergency, please use the code “COVID-19”.
OTSS Support
If districts have MSIS questions or require MSIS support, please send an email to mdeapps@mdek12.org and please include a contact number. An OTSS staff member will respond.
If districts have SharePoint questions or require SharePoint support (e.g., I cannot log in, I need help uploading a file), please send an email to mdenet@mdek12.org and please include a contact number. An OTSS staff member will respond.
CDC UPDATES: MANAGING STRESS DURING A PANDEMIC
SELF CARE
Stress and Coping: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.
People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include
· Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19
· Children and teens
· People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders
· People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use
Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row. If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call
- 911
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)
Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include
- Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.
Things you can do to support yourself
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
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Resources for Everyone & Communities:
CDC IDEAS FOR HELPING YOUR OWN CHILDREN
- Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
- Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting)
- Excessive worry or sadness
- Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
- Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens
- Poor school performance or avoiding school
- Difficulty with attention and concentration
- Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
- Unexplained headaches or body pain
- Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
There are many things you can do to support your child:
- Take time to talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.
- Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
- Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
- Try to keep up with regular routines. If schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.
- Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members.
- Learn more about helping children cope.
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Resources for Families and Children:
- Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
- Coping After a Disasterpdf icon – A Ready Wrigley activity book for children age 3-10
Weekly Logs
Where's the Superintendent?
Additional Activities
Contact Info
Email: cevers@pc.k12.ms.us
Website: www.pc.k12.ms.us
Location: 6457 Kiln Delisle Road, Pass Christian, MS, USA
Phone: 228-216-9184
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/passpiratepride
Twitter: @pcppridealerts