OMS Community Newsletter
Remote Learning Edition, Spring 2020
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Remote Learning, Phase Two
Everything in this edition of our newsletter is designed to assist students and families in this next phase of remote learning. You will find information about free internet access, a bilingual video explaining the remote learning plan and the expectations for students, and a number of useful links and resources.
If you did not see my message about Phase Two earlier in the week, here it is:
Greetings OMS Community,
In this most unusual time for all of us, I hope you are staying healthy, safe, and connected in any way that you are able.
Earlier this week, in response to the Governor's decision to close schools through May 1st and the guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary education, Dr. Marcus sent a message to all families with what we are calling "phase two" of our Remote Learning Plan in Stoughton. If you haven't seen it yet, the full plan, including a link to the letter to families from the Commissioner of Education, is available on the district's "COVID-19 Updates" page. Click on the link below to visit this page.
I thought it might be helpful to summarize and highlight some key components of "phase two" for OMS students, families, and staff.
Even while moving to a second phase of our Remote Learning Program, we all recognize how extraordinary the current situation is for everyone involved. It is important to begin by stating clearly that we are in no way trying to duplicate the classroom instruction that students and teachers are missing during this extended closure. There's a lot to worry about right now, and we DO NOT want our students, teachers, or families to worry about their extended learning assignments. Instead, we hope that these remote learning opportunities will help everyone stay in a familiar routine and stay connected with one another and with teaching and learning while we are physically apart. I've heard this phrase a lot and it is helping me frame this new remote learning concept: "The building is closed, but school is still open."
While we really don't want anyone worried about their remote learning, it is also clear that "phase two" is asking students and teachers to do a little more than "phase one" did. Following the state guidance, and beginning fully on Monday, April 6th, we will be asking for the following:
1. We are asking teachers to submit specific remote learning activities for students on a regular basis.
2. We are asking students to complete these assignments in a timely manner. Though we are hoping the assignments get done within a week of when they are assigned, we know that families and students will do the best they can.
3. We are asking teachers to track these assignments, for completion only. This does not mean these assignments will be graded; they will not be graded. Even if a teacher is tracking the completion of these assignments in his/her grade book, there will be no grade with the assignments and no impact one way or the other on any trimester or final average at all.
4. We left school with a week left in trimester two. We have essentially frozen our trimesters there, and our current plan is to begin trimester three upon our projected return to school, May 4th. Trimester exams have been cancelled for the rest of the year.
5. We are asking teachers to have weekly virtual class sessions for students. These sessions might be direct instruction, a Q & A check-in, or a group discussion. These sessions will be hosted live, but they will also be recorded in case a student needs to watch at a different time. If you haven't already, take a look at the "On-line Meeting Norms and Student/Parent Opt Out Statement" in his March 30th letter to families.
6. We are hopeful that we can offer some meaningful remote learning opportunities in the core academic courses of Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and World Languages, while continuing to offer a wide variety of exploratory and enrichment material in our other classes too.
Though there are some more expectations for everyone with this new phase of our Remote Learning Plan, we will continue to explore this new educational approach for all of us with the understanding and flexibility necessary to succeed together.
As always, if you need anything during this extended closure, please feel free to contact me directly by telephone or email.
Thank you.
What if the Chromebook I received is not working?
SPS Chromebook Technical Support
If your Chromebook is broken or not working:
Either submit a ticket at the following website:
Or call 781-344-4000 x51226
Please leave your first and last name along with your phone number in case someone needs to call you regarding your child’s Chromebook issue.
Information on Free Internet Access
Please see the following "notice for families" about the free internet services being offered by Comcast/Xfinity. The attached notice has been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.
Notice for families
Please use the following link for information regarding Comcast’s Internet Essential program for any families in need of internet access.
http://www.internetessential.com/
Xfinity WiFi Free for Everyone
Xfinity Wifi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them free – including non-xfinity internet subscribers. For a map of xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.
A Message from SPS Nursing Director Danielle Gallan
HELLO STOUGHTON!
As I sit here in my new at home office/home school central (AKA the kitchen table) putting the final touches on this newsletter together it is sinking in how much I miss the energy of the school day. As a professional, as a nurse, and as a Stoughton parent I truly miss being in school as I know the entire RN Team does.
The Stoughton RN Team is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of all of our students and staff. We are available to connect with you and welcome our families to reach out to us. I have included all of our email addresses in this newsletter and will continue to do so in following newsletters. When we call your caller ID may read blocked number, we will leave a message letting you know it was your school nurse and when we will try to call back. We are checking the clinic voicemail but email is the best method of connecting with your school nurse.
While we are out of school it is incredibly important to do everything we can to stay healthy and keep those around us healthy. Good handwashing and coughing/sneezing into your elbow is still super important. Please make sure you are practicing social distancing, I know it is tough but playdates and hanging out with friends will be that much sweeter when it is safe to do so. Have you tried ZOOM for a virtual get together? The only way that this works is if we all do our part! We've got this Stoughton!
We are focusing on Spring, exercise, and overall wellness in this newsletter. It is important to get outside and stay active.
We are all experiencing the same feels that you are, we are in this together Stoughton. The Stoughton RN Team loves you and looks forward to when we get to welcome you back to school.
~Danielle Gallan, RN
Stay Connected
Stay safe everyone, and stay connected as much as possible. The faculty and staff continue to bring you the OMS Knightly News morning announcements. You can see these announcements and find more ways to stay connected on our school Instagram oms_stoughton_official
on Twitter and Facebook.
Email: m_colantonio@stoughtonschools.org
Website: oms.stoughton.org
Location: 211 Cushing Street, Stoughton, MA, USA
Phone: 781 344 7002
Facebook: facebook.com/stoughtonpublicschools
Twitter: @MattColantonio