Seven Hills Elementary News
A Home-School Connection
April 1, 2020 (Updated April 5)
Request for Paper Copies...Information Needed Before Monday, April 6:
(please only complete if you need paper copies).
Requesting Chromebooks:
If you have issues with the NISD Chromebook, need to request a device, are having difficulty accessing the portal, etc. you will enter a ticket through this helpdesk. NISD Student Helpdesk. Someone from the NISD Technology Department will assist you.
Chromebooks are being assigned to one student per family. They are distributed on Wednesdays from 7 am to 7 pm at Hatfield Elementary. You must request a Chromebook BEFORE showing up to pick one up at Hatfield.
Hello From Home...Video Updates From the Principal...and Seven Hills Staff:
Update on Grab and Go Meals
New grab-and-go meal requirements effective April 6
Northwest ISD will continue offering grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals from Monday to Friday during its facilities closure, and beginning April 6 families will be asked to verify student enrollment to comply with new guidelines required by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Agriculture.
To verify student enrollment, families will be asked to confirm their children’s names and the campus they attend. Once names have been confirmed, each family will be issued a district letter on colored paper to be displayed on a vehicle’s dashboard each day they come to pick up food.
Younger siblings who are not yet in school are eligible to receive meals through the program. Families who have children in the district’s Parents as Teachers program are also eligible for the student meals and will also confirm their students’ names and status in the program. Any sibling not enrolled in Northwest ISD will need to either be present the first time for enrollment or the parent will need to present the child’s birth certificate.
Beginning Tuesday, April 7, each campus serving meals will offer two vehicle lines for grab-and-go meals. The first line will be for vehicles that already have confirmed letters from the district, and the second line will be for those who need to confirm their students’ enrollment and receive a letter.
Letters displayed on the dash will be required. If you forget or lose your letter, you will be required to go back through the enrollment process.
Any student who walks up to get their meal will simply confirm which campus they attend and be given a meal.
Please note that meals will not be available on Friday, April 10, as this day is designated as a district holiday.
For a list of locations and addresses of the six campuses serving breakfast and lunch meals, visit www.nisdtx.org/coronavirus and select the “Student Meal Plan” drop-down menu bar.
Note: If an adult is immunocompromised or at high risk of COVID-19 complications, please have a trusted family friend or relative drive the children to pick up meals and pick up the colored verification document. If a student is immunocompromised or at high risk of COVID-19 complications, please bring his or her student ID, copy of a birth certificate or other identifying document instead of bringing the student in the vehicle to pick up the colored verification document.
A Note About Remote Learning From Mrs. Blackburn:
Never in my over 20 years as an educator have I enjoyed the privilege of celebrating TWO first days of school! Until now! I know that every family is experiencing a different level of comfort with this new learning model, but I am encouraged by the proactive "We can do it!" mindset! Thank you for your patience and partnership!
- NISD has posted Remote Learning Grading Guidelines. Make sure you take time to read the guidelines. If you have questions, you can contact me or your child's teacher.
I wanted to share a few reminders about what you will receive every Sunday:
The lesson plan for the week. We are sending these lesson plans on Sunday afternoons so that parents have time to review the lessons and create a plan for the week. All assignments are due the following Sunday. The lesson plan for the district will also be posted on the Invest2Learn website. It is important to understand that this is a district plan, and not the personalized plan for your child’s class.
Links to Teacher SeeSaw (1st Grade) and Google Classroom (Kindergarten, 2nd Grade - 5th Grade) digital platforms. These platforms will have lessons, videos, links for how students submit their work, optional extension activities, optional weekly leadership activities and more.
Information about the NISD Student Helpdesk. The helpdesk will go live on Monday. If you have issues with the NISD Chromebook, need to request a device, are having difficulty accessing the portal, etc. you will enter a ticket through this helpdesk. NISD Student Helpdesk. Someone from the NISD Technology Department will assist you.
Links to optional, extra support activities. These links include activities such as handwriting practice. These are optional.
And More….
I understand that this is quite a bit of information to take in...especially if you have multiple children. I have a few tips for approaching learning from home:
Take a deep breath. We are all in this together. Make a list of questions that you have, sign up for a time to meet with your teacher, and trust that we are here to help you. Do not struggle in silence. If you are unable to reach your child’s teacher or need assistance beyond the classroom, please contact me, Mrs. Ledger, Mrs. Argo, or Mrs. Morales.
Kim Blackburn, Principal: kblackburn@nisdtx.org
Tanya Ledger, Assistant Principal: tledger@nisdtx.org
Molly Argo, Campus Instructional Support: molly.argo@nisdtx.org
Jennifer Morales, Counselor: jmorales@nisdtx.org
Create a schedule. We have shared a suggested campus schedule before and the lesson plans will also include suggested schedules. In full transparency, our family has not been on a consistent schedule. We spent time today creating a schedule to start the week. We know that with 4 people trying to work from home, this schedule may have to change. Be flexible in the first few days, but don’t put off creating a schedule.
Create a space for learning. Everyone will need a space to work and learn. Gather any supplies needed and set up a dedicated space for working. My family also spent the morning today setting up our individual spaces. It took a little rearranging and reorganizing, but we all have a space that we are comfortable in and proud of.
Classroom teachers have set up individual “Office Hours” each day. These office hours are intended to be used for parent conferences, parent and student support/tutorials, small group lessons, whole group lessons/Habit Huddles/Morning Meetings, etc. Teachers will continue to create a Sign-Up Genius for you to reserve a time to check-in, conference, ask questions, etc. Please sign - up for a time.
As we continue on this journey, I hope everyone will practice their habits. Encourage your children and their teachers. Be patient with teachers, the school, and your children. Work in partnership with NISD, Seven Hills, and your child’s teacher. Embrace the new adventure, knowing that together we will accomplish greatness!
Looking for Internet?
Pictured above you will see information from the Texas Education Agency on internet providers. I want parents to know that I am working closely with NISD on other viable solutions. I will share that information as soon as it becomes available!
Other Ways to Get an Internet Connection
- Contact your cell phone carrier about getting a “Hot Spot” on your phone. - Many cell phone carriers are offering FREE hot spots during the quarantine, and are also adding data to data plans. Check with your cell phone provider on this resource!
- Search local internet providers for free options during these school closures.
- Ask your neighbor if your child could access their Wifi for a limited time each day.
- Park close to an NISD school building to access the visitor Wifi.
- Make sure your teacher is aware if you are still unable to get access to the internet.
Spirit Week:
Student Safety in A Virtual Platform:
I know there might be questions about student safety in a digital learning platform. Please know that regardless of the learning environment, whether brick and mortar or digital, safety is a priority. NISD has established safe virtual learning practices for all staff to follow, including how video conferencing is set up. Staff set up Zoom conferences using settings that control who can join a meeting.
There are steps parents can take at home to practice safe video conferencing. We encourage parents to set up video conferencing expectations or "rules." For example:
- Mom or Dad need to log students on to video conferences with students to make sure the teacher is in the conference, it is the correct conference, etc.
- Students video conference in designated location in the home. We suggest the kitchen table, living room, or another common area.
- Students need to be dressed as though they would be going to school when participating in a video conference.
- No scheduling of video conferencing by students.
While video conferencing helps teachers connect with students and builds a sense of community, it is not required. Parents can always choose whether or not their children participate in video conferencing. You can formally opt out by completing the NISD form linked below. All responses will be shared with the campus, and we will let the teacher know. If you have more than one child, you will need to complete a form for each child. NISD Video Conference Opt Out Form
Teachers should not be conferencing 1:1 with students. If a teacher needs to support a student individually, we will require that a parent or Seven Hills staff member join the meeting
Also, please remember that our acceptable use practices/expectations extend to the remote learning environment.
Remote Learning Resources
Resources to Support Students in a Remote Learning Platform:
NISD Resources:
NISD Coronavirus Website: www.nisdtx.org/coronavirus.
NISD Instructional Resources: https://invest2learn.nisdtx.org/
NISD Counseling Support: https://sites.google.com/nisdtx.org/heretohelp/home
NISD Technology Support: studenthelpdesk.nisdtx.org.
Seven Hills Resources:
- Spirit Week Activities: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OIFkdpRLZ_PfowvE6OgznqDEeKZ73qLB
- Campus Leadership Activities, Enrichment, Schedules and more: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1I7W71Q-SiQbE5aEfk9Qj3M1xdj5zLijo
Medication:
Ready Rosie:
A Message From the Texas Education Agency:
The Texas Education Agency has asked school districts across the state to share information about health and safety information related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is an introductory letter, and going forward our school district will have links to TEA resources in messages and newsletters.
Though we are apart right now for our health and safety, we must continue to support one another as a community, and right now we must work together to fight COVID-19. In order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we will be providing important guidance as recommended by the state of Texas.
This guidance is based on what scientists know about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is our hope that you will continue doing all you can to follow these practices and share them with your friends and family.
Thank you for what you are doing to educate your children at home and all the efforts you're making to keep your family healthy and safe. We know this is a difficult time. If we stand apart as a community during this stretch and continue following the public health practices, we will be back together soon.
For more information, be sure to visit tea.texas.gov/staywell.
Resources for Talking With Students About COVID-19 and Coronavirus:
Additional CDC Resources:
Stay Connected!
Website: http://northwestseven.ss10.sharpschool.com/
Location: 654 FM3433, Newark, TX, United States
Phone: 817-215-0700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SevenHillsElem/
Twitter: @7HillsNISD