MPS Important update
July 30, 2020
2020-2021 School update
Dear Middletown Primary Families:
I hope that each of you are doing well, staying safe, and enjoying the summer. The last few months have been unlike any others we have had to navigate and each of us has had to drastically adjust and change. In the spring we moved from in person instruction to a distance learning model and we deeply appreciate the support from families and the continued partnerships that allowed us to work under circumstances we had never before experienced. We have always valued the strong home school partnership at Middletown Primary and this past spring confirmed for us how important these partnerships are in helping each and every one of our students succeed. Throughout the spring distance learning our Knight Pride remained strong.
Last night the Frederick County Board of Education voted for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year, beginning August 31, to occur in a full virtual format as the county continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board of Education has charged staff to identify targeted small groups of students to participate in face-to-face instruction to support individualized educational needs, to ensure access to virtual options, and to address specific courses requiring in person instruction. More information will be provided to parents regarding these options. Parents/guardians will ultimately reserve the right to decline these services if they have concerns regarding their child's health in a face-to-face FCPS school building. Specific health measures will be in place to protect the health of both students and staff.
Thank you for continuing to provide feedback on the systemic surveys over the past several months. During this spring’s school building closure, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) staff gathered student, parent and educator feedback and reflected on learned experiences. As a result, FCPS has adopted enhancements that will improve the virtual learning experience for students, parents and educators. These enhancements include:
Increased live digital interactions/expectations between students and educators
A single digital platform for students and parents to access instruction, communication and feedback
Virtual courses that are more rigorous and challenging
Robust professional learning opportunities for educators to increase their skill set for teaching in a virtual environment which include on-demand professional learning videos and courses for educators
New parent resources
Student training videos that will enhance their abilities to access and learn in a virtual environment
Strategies to provide a significant focus on tending to individual student needs
Continued efforts to connect each and every child digitally
FCPS is strongly positioned to teach students in a virtual environment and is excited to start the 2020/2021 school year
The entire staff at MPS have continued to participate in professional learning and training throughout the summer to strengthen their knowledge and strategies to support enhanced virtual instruction. We know that we will face some challenges as we continue to embark on this new educational experience. We are committed to finding opportunities in each of our challenges and to being “opportunity finders” for each and every one of our students. We are eager to take the next steps to welcome students for a new school year and to deliver engaging and meaningful virtual learning experiences for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year.
In the coming weeks, we will be working to share information regarding our opening plan, including:
Finalize student placements (these will be sent via mail to the home address on file)
Create schedule options for teachers so they can begin planning their instruction for the virtual model
Collaborate with our team leaders and leadership team to determine the best ways to introduce students and families to their new classroom teacher and onboard students to increased live instruction
Develop opportunities for parents to receive live virtual support on how to access the learning platforms that will be utilized during distance learning
Organize and share information regarding available technology for student use at home
Plan opportunities for extra support for students during virtual learning
Share distance learning class expectations and provide information to families on how extra support will be available throughout the week
Your continued commitment and partnership will be vital in helping us make virtual learning successful. I have been honored to serve the Middletown community for the last year. One thing that I have seen continuously during my time here is how Middletown comes together to support each other and I am positive the same will be true as we move forward with virtual learning. I am committed to continuing to serve the community with kindness, empathy, and enthusiasm for our young learners.
Our staff remain committed, ready to work hard, eager to start, and will diligently find every opportunity in each challenge we face together.
Please contact me via email or by phone with any questions or comments.
Respectfully,
Sandy Fox
Middletown Primary Principal
#Opportunityfinders #Knightpride
240-566-0602
Middletown Primary School
Email: sandra.fox@fcps.org
Website: www.fcps.org
Location: 403 Franklin Street, Middletown, MD, USA
Phone: 240-566-0200
Twitter: @PrincipalMPS