Wolfpack Howler
Volume 19 Issue 4 - August 14, 2020
Learn to work and think for life.
Gearing-up for Remote Learning!
We were so glad to welcome our teachers and support staff back into our buildings this week and they have been hard at work getting everything in place for all of our students to start remote learning next THURSDAY, AUGUST 20th.
Here is more information to start getting ready for this new adventure together.
Schedules are ready in PowerSchool:
- Students and Parents - you can now log into PowerSchool and see your schedules for Quarter 1. Please see the message later in this newsletter from counseling about schedule change requests and what priority we will be handling those.
- If you can't log into PowerSchool to see your schedule - please call the school to have someone help you - 479-4221
"Live" Synchronous Class Times:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - Each class will be have a "Live" or Synchronous meeting time, please see the schedule below or reference here.
- 9:15-9:25 - Wolfpack Morning Meeting with Ms. Gillam!
A webinar for students to get a feel for the day and I will share daily announcements. Students can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9dQTTDqDTG6aUQaXNEAN2g - 9: 30-10:35 - Period 1
- 10:45-11:50 - Period 2
- LUNCH Break
- 12:25-1:30 - Period 3
How will my student know how to log in? Or if they need books?
- On Monday, teachers will email all students information about how to access their live sessions and if students need a physical textbook for their class - more information will be posted on our website too - check back for more information.
My student needs a Chromebook to be able to do their work at home? How do I get one?
- First, be sure you have completed our Learning Options Survey - on there we are collecting information about if families need a district device and whether you have reliable internet or not. Based on this information we will distributing Chromebooks next week - Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday - Sign up Now.
When can I pick up a Chromebook and Textbooks?
- If you haven't already, please sign-up for a time to pick-up needed items. We will get items pulled together based on students' schedules and teachers identified textbook and other item needs.
- Here are the times for pick-up:
- Monday, Aug 17: 8am-4pm
- Tuesday, Aug 18: 8am-7pm
- Wednesday, Aug 19: 8am-4pm
- Time slots will be every five minutes and four students can sign up per time slot. Everyone needs to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Thanks in advance for your patience during this process!
What will be expected of my student during remote learning?
- Below is a full summary of expectation for staff, students, and teachers, but in general students should expect to:
- log on daily for their synchronous times and
- expect to have additional learning activities to complete as well for each class.
- We will have tutoring time every day of the week and specific instructional support time on Wednesday. We will share more information about those times after next week.
Can I still get breakfast and lunch during Remote Learning?
- YES - starting August 20th between 9am-1pm our Nutrition Services staff will have food for students to purchase. Meals will be available at the West Valley Front Entrance. More information below
We are all working as fast we can to get things ready - thanks for your kindness and patience as we work through everything!
Take care,
Sarah Gillam
Message from Counseling on Schedules:
Schedules are not necessarily final. Classes still need to be balanced/leveled which may result in schedule changes. Your schedule reflects the classes you requested last spring. Because of the need to keep class size small as well as cohorts balanced, we will not make changes based upon a request to change an elective, a teacher or a period.
Please see below the list of priorities we follow at this time:
- Student has an incomplete schedule.
- New student enrollments.
- Change is needed for senior missing graduation requirements and/or college and career entrance.
- Student has been scheduled into a course out of sequence (i.e., Spanish 3 before Spanish 1).
- Student did not pass a class that was a prerequisite for another.
- Student has been scheduled into a course previously passed.
No other changes will be allowed unless they are deemed necessary by the school administration. We look forward the start of this unique school year!
The Counseling Department:
WVHS Counseling Office: 479-4221 ext. 46520
Mr. Blackburn - A-G (10th-12th) ext 46525 - willie.blackburn@k12northstar.org
- Ms. Everts - H-N (10th-12th) ext 46527 - paula.bettano-everts@k12northstar.org
- Ms. Gillis - O-Z (10th-12th) ext 46523 - karin.gillis@k12northstar.org
- Ms. Sprague - all Freshmen ext 46524 - anna.sprague@k12northstar.org
Expectations for Students and Parents during Remote Learning:
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:
Student expectation should be included in the syllabus provided to students and parents in the first week of school. Expectations should include:
Attend online classes daily.
Login for morning meetings on time.
Check Google Classroom for communication and daily learning activities from teachers and staff.
Practice safe and appropriate digital citizenship.
Email teachers with any questions you might have.
Produce and submit high quality work to teachers
Be respectful to yourself, teacher, and peers
Check your grades in PowerSchool, know your progress, and keep up with your assignments
Be prepared to be successful when taking tests and other assessments
PARENT/GUARDIAN EXPECTATIONS:
Teachers are encouraged to establish positive partnerships with families, especially during periods of remote learning. Teachers should communicate the following to parents during the first week of class:
Attendance will be taken daily for students.
Students will be given assignments/assessments with due dates and grades will be assigned.
Additional suggestions:
Check their students Google Classroom for assignments every Monday.
Regularly check their student's assignment completion status and grades by logging into PowerSchool.
Designate a consistent space in the home for students to complete remote learning work.
Remind students how to communicate with their teachers
Allow students to work independently, don't feel the need to correct all of their errors. Allow the learning process to take place.
Encourage students to get enough sleep and maintain a regular school schedule.
TEACHER EXPECTATIONS:
Teachers should provide the following to parents within the first week of class:
Syllabus and grading guidelines
Expectations for attendance, attending virtual class meetings.
Expectations for asynchronous learning outside of the classroom.
Contact information including email address and office hours
Information on accessing Google Classroom and Google Meet for class work and meetings.
Communication:
Teachers will regularly communicate with parents about student progress.
Teachers will respond to parent emails with 24-48 hours
Teachers will provide timely feedback to improve student learning
This survey is also included at the end of this newsletter.
West Valley High School
Email: contact-wvh@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org/westvalley
Location: 3800 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: (907)479-4221
Facebook: facebook.com/wvhWolfpack/
Twitter: @wvhWolfpack