RMS Bulletin
Weeks of March 30th- April 17
About RMS
Email: ymcnulty8711@pcssd.org
Website: https://rms.pcssd.org/
Location: Joe T. Robinson Middle School, Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR, USA
Phone: (501)8682410
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTRobMid
Twitter: @JoeT_RMS
Principal's Message
Welcome Back, Senator Strong Team!
I hope you had a great Spring Break ! As much as we love to get around, this is not the time for that, so I look forward to the day in which we can get the Covid-19 crisis under control for the betterment of all citizens. I wanted to provide you an update as we jump back to online learning and also share District expectations moving forward. Some of the information to be shared with you is from last week’s principals’ meeting. We will also have another principals' meeting on Wednesday of this week which should further clarify expectations. I will keep you posted as we continue to gain more and more information.
Based on our Virtual Faculty Meeting on 3/19/2020 and also new information from our District, here are some things we need to be on top of given our current circumstance of teaching from home.
Non- Negotiable Items Of Completion By All Teachers
Note: Essential Staff Working In The Building Need Information On Time
Packet Printings Due On: March 31, 2020
Teacher Responsibilities & Due Dates
- Robinson Middle School (RMS) - Teacher Lesson Plan Form AMI Remote Learning Weekly Instructional Plan for Parents & Guardian Due: March 30, 2020 (10:00am)
- AMI Remote Learning Weekly Instructional Plan for Parents & Guardian Due: March 30, 2020 (10:00am)
- Students Without Internet Access Due: March 31, 2020 (10:00am)
- Teachers- It is an expectation that we try and get on this Youtube created channel for us to communicate with parents about the huge work you are doing to provide support for students. At this time, over-communication is the key! So, please create a short video to help your students and parents. This is a way to say hello, share the plans created week by week and remind them that you are here to help in numerous ways. Remember that we are on the clock as stated in the contract, but doing the work differently. I will shoot my video on Sunday. Please have your videos uploaded by Monday or Tuesday. Thank you and please ask Tyler for additional support needed. Here's a link to the RMS AMI youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xV9OeMHtd4IhxODM8nqzw/?guided_help_flow=5 Username: joetami20@gmail.com Password: Senators20 Due: March 30 & 31st
District Communication Updates
DIRECTIVE -- All teachers need to contact all students to see what everyone has from a technology and engagement standpoint. Here are questions you should be able to answer.
How many students have turned in assignments?
How many students are engaged?
Who has access to the internet at home or elsewhere?
What device do you have at home to complete assignments?
Teachers cannot go into their buildings at this time. A process for tracking staff is currently being developed to ensure we are following the guidelines set by the Governor's Office and the Health Dept.
Special Education Plan- Please For Compliance Expectations:SPED COVID 19 Plan
Grades as you know still count and we are reminding the students to finish strong. We as a team decided to do the following to make the workload for students more reasonable. As you know, we are not suspending grades, (we just have flexibility) so we are assigning 30 minutes of work per subject area plus 30 minutes of reading (SS will embed reading into curriculum).
A plan for counselors, secretaries, book-keepers and principals is being developed in order to finish things such as allocations, master-scheduling, parental supports, special educational needs, and etc… More communication will come by Wednesday of this week.
What is the response for students requesting loaner chromebooks? We will work with librarians to ensure we provide all available devices to students needing them during this time.
What can we do about entering grades? IT is working on extending internet usage in all school parking lots. This is a work in progress and not a done deal. It is a complicated issue. However, teachers may be able to drive to the school lot and enter grades from their car or wait for the protocol for entering the building. Options are being created for those not having computers to allow TAC at home.
Students enrolled in courses for weighted credit, such as AP or IB, should still receive weighted credit regardless of the ability of a student to take an AP/IB/or other assessment. AP courses Courses will be weighted without test requirements.
No traditional face to face exam administration this year
Two (2) testing date options for each AP course
Forty-five (45) minute online exams to be taken at home for most courses with a decrease in the amount of content that will be included (details about which units from each course are at the following link). https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/news-changes/coronavirus-
Exams are accessible on any device (computer, tablet, smartphone). Taking a photo of handwritten work will also be an option.
The full exam schedule will be posted by April 3
No exams for Art and Design: 2D, 3D, or Drawing, but portfolios must be submitted by May 26
No exam for AP Computer Science Principles
No exam for AP Research or AP Seminar, but some portfolio pieces required
Teacher Reminder: You are on the clock as contractual duties apply. Please do not take advantage of this time, but make it a useful time to connect with kids. They need your support more than ever. An hour of response time will not replace the day to day instruction. So, please use the tools we discussed at the virtual faculty meeting to engage kids. We will discuss the evaluation process, since it will look different given the situation. PD’s for student engagement is coming and review the instructions provided by Rachel Blackwell.
Ways to Engage: Teacher Communication Forms:
Google Hangouts (Tutorial Provided)
Google Classroom
Email System
RMS AMI Youtube Page
School Status