Easley Weekly Update
Everything you need to know for the coming week.
April 3, 2020
A Note from the principal
Hello Easley families!
I hope this message finds you all well and staying healthy during this unique time in our lives. I know it has likely been a trying time for all of you having everyone home with nowhere to go in addition to the other stressors that are weighing heavily on everyone during this unprecedented time. Even though the last three weeks were spring break, our staff has been hard at work creating remote extending learning opportunities for our students.
Easley Extended Learning Google Site
Over the break, our teachers collaborated with Mrs. Grantham and Mrs. Hartley to create a Google Site that serves as a home base for you to access everything you need for extended/remote learning at home. On the site you will find:
- Login directions and video tutorials for accessing Google Classroom
- Pages with specific information for each grade level.
- Pages for support services such as ESL, EC, and AIG
- Pages for each specials area (art, music, PE, tech, media, and guidance)
- Each page has a Parent Corner with information and a message from that teacher
- Links to both new resources and to those familiar to our students
Google Classroom
Each classroom teacher has created a Google Classroom. In this virtual classroom you want to click on the Classwork tab to access a variety of instructional resources and lessons. In each teacher's Google Classroom you will find the following and more:
- A daily or weekly schedule that includes either a menu of possible assignments or individual assignments, depending on the grade level.
- A specials schedule with activities and suggestions for each specials' class
- Links and resources needed to complete the assignments or tasks in the weekly menu.
- Links to read alouds by the Easley staff.
Weekly Connection with Students/Families
Your family can expect to have personal contact with your child's teacher at least once a week. This may occur in the following formats:
- Video Chats via Google Meets or Zoom*
- Phone calls or text check-ins
- Emails or online chats with students
*We recognize Zoom has had some issues with hacking and have put specific measures in place with staff to avoid these issues as much as possible. We are exploring other avenues to connect virtually with students but at the moment Zoom is what we have that is working. Staff have been instructed to do the following when using Zoom to meet with students:
Create a password to enter the meeting
Utilize the waiting room so the host determines who is allowed into the meeting.
Disable screen share except for the host.
Please know that our staff members are also navigating new waters in terms of tending to their own family needs, many with school aged children, and working from home to meet the needs of our students. In addition to planning and updating the Google Classrooms each teacher will hold office hours for two hours Monday-Thursday. You can access the office hours for individual teachers on the Easley Extended Learning Google Site under the grade level page. The office hours will be posted by Sunday evening. During the office hours, teachers will be available via phone, Bloomz text, or email. If you are contacting teachers outside of the office hours, you can expect them to respond during or before the next office hour session.
Login Support
If you are having difficulty logging in and need password and login information. Please do the following:
First: Ask your child if they know the login and password...they may surprise you! :)
Then: Reach out to your child’s classroom teacher via email or Bloomz.
Last: Email Mrs. Grantham or Mrs. Hartley or complete this Google Form.
Instructional Packet
Initially the district had planned to have packets available at each school site on Tuesday, April 7th, however that changed as of 10:00 AM this morning. We are closing all of the instructional packet and food distribution sites after Monday the 6th and instead will be mailing packets to those in need. If you do not have access to the digital learning site and/or would like to receive paper copies of the instructional packets by mail, please complete this Google Form no later than Monday, April 6th at 5:00 PM.
Field Trip Reimbursements
All school field trips for the remainder of the year have been cancelled and parents will be provided a full refund. Our bookkeeper, Ms. Lloyd is working to issue checks but it will take some time as everyone has to be entered into the DPS system in order to receive a check and all schools are in the same boat in terms of processing refunds. Please be patient and let me know if you have an urgent need for your refund and I’ll see what we can do to expedite it.
Together We Grow Stronger
Please know we are here to support you in any way we can and do not hesitate to reach out to any easy staff member if you have questions or need further guidance. Email is the best way to get in touch with me as I am now online throughout the work day. I am also providing you with my work cell in the event you need to reach me via text or phone with an urgent issue or concern. When deciding to use the cell phone as a means of communication, please remember there are 500 of you and one of me. Your teachers should be the first point of contact for any questions relating to instruction, however, I am happy to have you reach out to me with any bigger school-wide issues or concerns of any sort. We all wish we were back in school with our kids and hope this is all over sooner rather than later. Remember we are in this together so please don’t hesitate to lean on us as needed.
Hauser Cell Phone: 919-943-6464, Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Connect With Us on Twitter and Instagram
Wondering what your kiddos are doing in Specials? Follow our Easley Specialists on Twitter! You can see their Twitter Handle in the email version of this message as well as on the homepage of the Easley Website.
@EasleyYRElem
@easleyartstars (Instagram)
@easleyartstars (Twitter)