The TCS Way
The Path to Distance Learning Plan Starts Monday
Superintendent Mike Daria talks about what teachers will be doing to communicate and connect with their students.
Learning at Home: The TCS Way
- Equitable service of each and every student is our highest priority and guides every decision we make.
- High-quality learning will continue. We are committed to ensuring that instruction and learning in this new context matches our high expectations.
- We (the adults) will learn. The pedagogy of teaching and learning face-to-face is different from the pedagogy of teaching/learning virtually or at a distance. We have an unusually high concentration of educators who are experts in these new pedagogies. This plan creates structures through which to raise our collective efficacy in this area.
While our buildings are closed, school is in session starting April 6.
System Set to Begin Chromebook Distribution
TCS is now ready to begin providing Chromebooks to students who need them to continue their learning at home. We will do this for seniors only on Friday, April 3. Starting the week of April 6, students with documented needs will have assigned checkout sessions. During these checkouts our primary goals are to provide the needed device and to protect the health and safety of TCS employees and families. Checking out a TCS device comes with specific expectations (also available in Spanish) associated with student security, device care, and responsibility for district property.
Key Details
Families will receive an automated call with specific details for their checkout session.
Student device needs are being documented via phone calls from school personnel. If you have spoken with someone from your school and answered their questions about devices, your need is documented. If you have not spoken with someone from your school, reach out to your child’s teacher or principal.
Students with documented needs will have assigned checkout sessions and must attend their scheduled session.
Students must be able to log into their district account before a device can be checked out to them. Students should check this by going to https://launchpad.classlink.com/tuscaloosa and logging in. If your child is not able to log in, reach out to your child’s teacher or principal.
This is a drive-through checkout that may occur at a different school than the one your child attends. The student must be present and everyone must remain in the car. Be aware that although we will work as quickly as we can, the process may take some time. Do not attend a checkout session if anyone in the household is sick. We will meet those needs when it is safe to do so.
TCS does not currently have any hot spots to provide for students who need internet access. All of the major carriers have increased their customers' data allowance, or in T-Mobile's case removed the cap during the crisis. In addition, local internet providers are offering free installation and free-for-two-months plans. Details are provided below.
We anticipate being able to provide one device per household where a device is needed. We will work to meet the needs in this order: grade 12, grade 11, grade 5, grade 4, grade 3, grades 6-10*, grade 2, grade 1, and Kindergarten.
* Grades 6-10 processes will be a little different due to the one-to-one program.
Low/No-Cost Internet Options
Comcast Internet Essentials
To sign up, applicants can simply visit https://www.internetessentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
AT&T Access
Families should visit https://www.att.com/shop/internet/access/#!/ to complete the application. The page is available in Spanish here: https://www.att.com/es-us/shop/internet/access/#!/
What Parents Can Expect
- We will not allow any individual circumstances to create a barrier to your child's learning.
- Your child will receive high-quality learning opportunities from their teachers during the last two months of school. While we need your help supervising your child during the times they are learning, we are not asking you to plan lessons, grade work or take on similar teaching roles.
- Teachers, counselors, librarians and school administrators are here to support you during this process. They will be available to students and families to answer questions and to provide support through virtual office hours.
Our teachers are passionate about supporting learning from home, but we recognize that many have families they are caring for during this crisis as well. TCS is equally committed to our educators' well-being during this change in teaching and learning. Thank you for your patience.
About Us
Website: www.tuscaloosacityschools.com
Location: 1210 21st Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
Phone: (205) 759-3700
Facebook: facebook.com/TCSBoarofEd
Twitter: @TCSBoardofEd