Mrs. Hunter-Blake's News and Notes
Volume 1, Issue 1
SUMMER 2020 UPDATES
Greetings Mighty Bulldogs,
I hope that you and your families are enjoying the summer and staying safe. Can you believe school starts in 24 days? WOW! I am looking forward to seeing your faces during our virtual move-up/new student orientation day on Friday, August 28, 2020--more information forthcoming. Please take a moment to review the most current updates below. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Working TOGETHER our scholars will be successful!
~Principal Hunter-Blake~
BREATHE! Take a deep breath in...hold it...and let it out slowly! Repeat at least two times before proceeding. REMEMBER...WE are in this TOGETHER!
Distance/Virtual Learning SY21
Mighty Bulldog Family, we all must practice patience and flexibility during this time as we work together to make the best learning experience for our scholars during this COVID-19 pandemic. There are many questions and concerns that we all have and I am committed to transparency and providing you with relevant information as I receive it. So...listed below is the most current information I have (found in the reopening plan).
1. What time will school be in session during distance/virtual learning?
Scholars will participate in a full day of school, from 7:45am-1:55pm. Scholars are late at 7:46am. The attendance policy, AP5113, will be followed during distance/virtual learning.
2. Will attendance be taken?
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) continues to follow the state and local guidance in collection of student and teacher attendance. There is currently a procedure in place to identify the process in which attendance is both collected and reported for both students and teachers. PGCPS is responsible for identifying, collecting and transmitting data to local, state and federal agencies for purposes of compliance, accountability and school system funding for student attendance. Strong monitoring of systems, implementation of a streamlined process, and using objective and accurate data related to attendance collection is crucial.
Physical and virtual attendance will be collected in the 2020-2021 school year and daily attendance procedures will be communicated so all stakeholders know PGCPS’ definition of being considered present.
Attendance for Students during Distance Learning Instruction: Teachers will take attendance at the beginning of each day in SchoolMax. Attendance will be reviewed again after lunch to ensure students return virtually and are accounted for. In the event a student does not return for the afternoon, the student should be recorded as attending school for a ½ day and contact made with the home to ensure the student is safe.
Students are expected to be in attendance for class daily and present for each session.
Special attendance code used for students who are online learning.
After a certain day, require students to provide an absence note in order to be considered lawfully absent.
3. Will scholars receive textbooks?
The school is working on creating a team of teacher volunteers to come in and assist in preparing the items for distribution. Once the materials have been received, sorted and packed, I will send out the schedule for pick-up. Please understand that multiple distribution dates may be necessary as we will distribute materials as they arrive--some materials maybe available prior to the start of the school year, while others may not.
4. When will Chromebook be distributed?
Nationally, there has been a high demand for the procurement of electronic devices,
which has resulted in delay of receiving them for PGCPS. An order has been placed and PGCPS is awaiting delivery. If your scholar is currently utilizing a personal device in the home, we ask that they continue to do so until the PGCPS order is processed. It is anticipated that additional devices will be available by September 21, 2020. Once received, you will be notified and a date and time will be scheduled for you to pick up a device. Your understanding is much appreciated.
5. Will scholars earn letter grades for SY21?
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is committed to providing our students with an educational program based on instructional practices that are rooted in educational research and support student achievement. To support these efforts and establish a system where assignments and assessment both inform and drive instruction as well as provide an accurate measure of a student’s academic achievement, we will incorporate an equitable grading practice in every content area to ensure all learners’ academic success is measured with fidelity.
A systemic grading procedure provides guidance to administrators and teachers in the implementation of the grading and reporting systems to be used in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and Grades 1 through 12 in all elementary, middle, and high schools and centers in Prince George’s County Public Schools. As defined in COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) 13A.03.02.08, each local school system shall develop a written policy on grading and reporting. The PGCPS grading procedures have been developed according to COMAR regulations and outline a process so that all students can learn and achieve at high levels, rigorous performance standards and achievement standards are embedded as essential components of developing and delivering quality instruction, and regular assessment is an important component of an effective teaching and learning environment and an important tool in measuring students’ learning. School-based administrators, teachers and students will be familiar with procedures to ensure that grading and reporting policies are applied consistently within their school for hybrid and virtual learners.
- Content supervisors reviewed grading factors (homework, classwork, assessments) for appropriateness for face-to-face learners/hybrid and virtual learners as defined by each of the three factors.
Teachers will collect a minimum of two grades per week for elementary/middle/high (per period/class) depending on the number of meetings/periods (please see Administrative Procedure 5121 for guidance below).
Assignments will remain the same weight for class work, homework and assessments by course/grade band and will receive a letter or numerical grade. DRAFT George’s County Public Schools Reopening Plan SY2020-2021 77
PGCPS’ Grading Administrative Procedure 5121 (listed below) was updated to include language geared toward expectations and updates in grading factors to include distance learning. AP 5121.1 Elementary School, AP 5121.2 Middle School, AP 5121.3 High School
The “N” grade language in Administrative Procedure 5121 was updated to indicate how an “N” grade is awarded for transfer students and missing quarter grades during distance learning.
6. Will scholars return back to the building?
PGCPS will start the school year with full distance learning for the first semester. Students will participate daily in a full school day of instruction with classes aligned to Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements. Teachers will have the option of providing instruction from home utilizing curriculum documents and resources or using their classroom to provide instruction during the workday. Starting December 1, 2020, we will reassess the impact of COVID-19 on our state, county and school system. During this time, a parent survey will be distributed for input on the feasibility of transitioning to a hybrid learning model or maintaining the full distance learning model for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
7. Will scholars be provided breakfast and lunch?
All scholars can receive a free breakfast daily (pick up during distance learning is on Mondays and Thursdays only, pick-up time TBD). Lunch will also be available for purchase each day (pick up during distance learning is on Mondays and Thursdays only). If needed, please complete the Free and Reduced Meals application online, click here. NOTE: Scholars will need to provide their pin number in order to receive meals. If you do not know the pin number, please click here to request the pin number be emailed to you.
About Us
Email: brandy@pgcps.org
Website: https://www1.pgcps.org/brandywine/
Location: 14101 Brandywine Road Brandywine, MD 20613
Phone: (301) 372-0100
Twitter: @BrandywineElem