Message from the Curriculum Director
As you can imagine, our MSAD#17 administration, faculty, and staff are working incredibly hard to figure out how to ensure that our students have educational opportunities during this time of uncertainty. I want to update you on where we are in that process in order that you can support your children at home as best as you are able. We are expecting our teachers to start remote learning with students on Monday, March 23.
At this time, there is more unknown to us that we thought possible. We developed initial guidance for staff that outlines our expectations for learning over the next few weeks. Here are some of the big ideas that might be helpful to you as you work with your students:
Educational opportunities should:
Foster a love of learning
Maintain relationships and connections with our students
Keep students mentally engaged
Keep a sense of routine
Foster student voice and choice
Be grounded in guided and independent practice
Provide a variety of learning opportunities
Reinforce standards already taught
In place of conferences:
In order to maintain relationships and connections with students, teachers should be in contact with the families of their students once a week while we are learning remotely. We think of this as a fantastic opportunity to call home and talk about good things with kids and families. We are asking teachers to log their phone calls to families. In turn, we ask that you understand that teachers will probably not know the answers to some of your questions.
Learning Practices:
Here is the basic guidance for faculty regarding contact with students and families:
Grades PreK-4: Make contact with parents daily via email, messaging or phone. *
Grades 5-6: Google classroom or make contact with parents daily via email, messaging, or phone, depending on school resources.*
Grades 7-12: Make contact with students daily via Google Classroom.*
*In the event that students do not have internet access, we will make hard copies of assignments. Each building is working with families to gather that information. If you know someone who doesn't have internet access or a computer, encourage them to get in touch with school!
At this time, we have recommended that lessons for students stick to the following timelines:
PreK-2 students: 1-2 hours
Grades 3-6 students: 2-3 hours
Grade 7-12 students: 3-4 hours
We will be providing feedback to students rather than grading them at this time.
Thanks in advance for the support of our school system during this time of uncertainty. Please assume that we are all trying to do our best to support the continued learning of our students. If you have questions or concerns, get in touch.
I hope the resources in this newsletter will be helpful to you as you have your students at home. As a parent myself, I know that the next few weeks will be interesting, to say the least!
Sincerely,
Heather Manchester
MSAD#17 Curriculum Director
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Sample Daily Schedule Many kids are successful when there are routines in place each day. Here are some sample schedules for how you could manage life at home for an extended period of time. | Sample Daily Schedule With older children, you could work together to develop the schedule. Give them an outline of the day and ask them to put in place when they want to do school work, exercise, and down time. | Sample Daily Schedule Notice the inclusion of chores! Get the kids to help you tidy up in addition to academic time. Here's to helping parents stay sane!!! *Thanks to Mrs. Chafin for these:) |
Sample Daily Schedule
Sample Daily Schedule
Sample Daily Schedule
*Thanks to Mrs. Chafin for these:)
Heather Manchester, Curriculum Director, MSAD#17
Instagram: @learn17
Curriculum Matters is a monthly newsletter for the faculty and staff of MSAD#17. This special edition is meant to provide support to families and students in the district during our time out of school.
