Return to School 2020
News and Resources for CBSD Families ~ Issue 2
Introducing the Broadcast Center
The Technology and Innovation Department team is working hard to plan and prepare tools and resources for the 2020-2021 school year. This includes equipping our classrooms with technology that will enable safe, secure, live instruction that is critical to the all virtual environment Central Bucks will begin on September 8, as well as the hybrid program that many of students will return to when the staffing shortage is resolved.
In the video below, CBSD's Director of Technology and Innovation, Jason Jaffe, and Supervisor of Educational Technology, Lindsay Smith, share more information about the classroom "broadcast center," use of Microsoft Teams in the classroom, and the Canvas learning management system.
Preparing Your Learning Space
We've prepared three examples of "bitmoji" home learning spaces. Each includes some ideas for setting your student up for success. These are just examples to generate creative ideas, and are in no way intended to be a list of necessities. Some other tips and notes:
- Consider establishing a dedicated space for learning.
- Students should consider waking up at a regular time each day, and getting dressed just as they would for school. This will help support a smoother transition when CBSD returns to the in person/hybrid/and online program enrollment models this fall.
- Fill a water bottle, and consider preparing lunch and a healthy snack in advance.
- Teachers will be establishing daily routines, with breaks throughout the day.
- Start the day with a charged laptop, and have your charger handy with an outlet nearby. CBSD students who have participated in the 1 to 1 program are already used to charging at night so that they're ready for school the following day. This is a great habit for this year and into the future.
- Consider purchasing inexpensive headphones with a microphone. This is helpful if you anticipate more than one child sharing a learning space in a family room, kitchen, etc.
- Communicate, communicate, communicate - CBSD teachers will be talking with students about rules and expectations, and encouraging open communication with parents and guardians.
Home Learning Examples
Device Distribution Update
A few notes and reminders:
- Students and families may send email to techsupport@cbsd.org for help at any time. If your device is in need of repair, submit a support ticket at https://helpdesk.cbsd.org:8443/helpdesk/WebObjects/Helpdesk.woa/.
- We recently conducted a virtual information session for families that touched on the one to one program and procedures related to the devices, as well as details on the tools and resources teachers will use to deliver live instruction. This event is archived on our website here.
- Each year, we ask families to pay a fee to cover insurance that will help us support repairs, replacement, and accessories like a bag and charger. If you have not done so already, visit MyPaymentsPlus to pay the 2020-21 device fee. Students entering grade nine (unless newly enrolled CBSD students) do not pay a fee in 2020-2021.
- Read more about the district’s one to one effort at www.cbsd.org/1to1.
Reminders for Families of Students with Special Needs
The emails also included two dedicated lists of questions and answers, tailored for both groups of families:
- Q & A for Families of Students with IEPs who participate in the PSSA/Keystone Exam
- Q & A for Families of Students with IEPs who participate in the PASA Exam
The special education department and supervisors have comprehensive lists of all students with IEPs in each building and are actively developing procedures for IEP revisions. Case managers are currently contacting families, and will continue to do so until the start of school in order to discuss any necessary revisions to their child's IEP.
"We are aware of the need for revisions for all students and are working to make personal contact with families every day," Ms. Kuchler explained. "We feel strongly that the best way to serve our families is to have individual conversations, and we deeply appreciate their patience as we work through that process and afford everyone the time they need."
Student Schedule Reminder
Free and Reduced Lunches
What's Next...
- A video that gives families insight into the district's professional development efforts to prepare teachers for the coming school year.
- Resources to help parents and guardians learn more about and navigate the district's K-12 learning management system, Canvas.
- Final revisions to the 2020-21 instructional calendar.
- Secondary student schedules and elementary teacher assignments visible in the parent portal on September 2.
- A video that shares more details on the CB Virtual Learning program.
Quick Links
Central Bucks School District
Your feedback is welcome! If you have questions or suggestions for areas that require additional communication, please contact Angela Linch, communications and public relations administrator, at alinch@cbsd.org.
Email: alinch@cbsd.org
Website: www.cbsd.org
Location: 20 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbschools/
Twitter: @CBSDSchools