Stingray Scoop - May 2020
Robert L. Vale Middle School
We Miss You Stingrays!
In our wildest dreams, we could have never imagined that we would be teaching our Stingrays through distance learning. We miss the sounds of their laughter in the hallways. The thing that makes this easier is the fact that our Stingrays are doing an amazing job navigating their learning. We know that this is because of the hard work of many. Our teachers have adapted quickly and are doing an awesome job and so many of our students are engaged in their learning. Thank you parents, for all of your support. We know that these are challenging times, however, we see now more than ever that we are in this together.
These are trying times in our city, however, Vale continues to be a food site for NISD. We serve over 1000 meals per day in an effort to meet the needs of our community. Food is grab and go. All you have to do is pull around in the bus loop and someone will bring breakfast and lunch to your car from 11 am to 1 pm.
As there are district updates, we will continue to send emails, do a call out and post on our website. NISD is updating their website regularly with important information at https://www.nisd.net/news/breaking-updates-regarding-covid-19
BE SURE YOUR STINGRAY IS SIGNED UP FOR NEXT YEAR!
NISD has opened up "Student Data Validation" for all current students in grades 5-11. We need all parents/guardians to complete this process for each of your students by June 4th. The purpose of this process is to update all your student's information and to ensure they secure a spot next year at their campus. The Student Data Validation process replaces the old system of sending home forms at the beginning of the year for you to fill out.
To complete the Student Data Validation process, please go to the NISD Home Access Center (HAC) , Log In and under the Registration tab select Update Enrollment. From there, click Start and complete this for each child. If you have more than 1 secondary age student, you will need to return to your HAC account, select the next student in the drop down and repeat the process. A "Returning Student Registration Guide" is also on the NISD.net Parent's page under the Home Access Center.
PICKING UP STUDENT ITEMS
6th Grade Pick-up May 26th from 3pm-7pm
7th Grade Pick-up May 28th from 3pm-7pm
8th Grade Pick-up May 30th from 10am-2pm
DISTANCE LEARNING
Please ensure students are logging in to Google Classroom and completing their assignments on time. Grades ARE being taken for all courses this 6 weeks and students will have a numerical grade on their report cards. In addition, please remember that High School Credit Courses impact student GPA in HIGH SCHOOL. All 8th Graders are currently enrolled in a High School Credit Course in addition to many of our 7th Graders. If a student does not pass that course they will have to re-take the course in high school. Current High School Credit Courses at Vale are: Algebra, Spanish, HS Art, HS AVID, MAPS
Communication with parents and students is essential for effective student learning.To ensure appropriate communication, all teachers will have office hours where they will be available to you and our students.
8:30 am - 10:00 am - Teachers will be online posting activities/assignments and providing feedback on completed work.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm - Teachers will check in and respond to urgent issues and check emails at this time.
2:30 pm - 3:50 pm - Again, teachers will check in. During this time, they will provide feedback on assignments, answer student/parent communications, and assist in any way they can.
DISTANCE LEARNING BEST PRACTICES
What is happening at VMS?
Our PTA did an amazing job working with campus administration as we celebrated our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week! I have to say, OUR VALE PTA ROCKS!!!! While we were not able to celebrate our staff as we normally would, we were able to make special deliveries to each teacher.