Sem Connection
December 4, 2020
Sem Elementary
Email: sem@friscoisd.org
Website: http://schools.friscoisd.org/campus/elementary/sem/home
Phone: 469.633.3575
Facebook: facebook.com/SemElem2019
Twitter: @SemElementary
From Mrs. Turner - Sem's Instructional Coach
Gathering
I recently listened to Brene Brown's podcast -- "Unlocking Us" -- where she interviewed Priya Parker, the author of the book The Art of Gathering. The book is centered around the need for a human-centered approach to gatherings that foster connection and meaning, not ones that fall back on convention or routine as their reason for being. They discussed how creating meaningful gatherings is especially difficult in our current circumstances with so much of what used to be in person is now virtual. What really stuck out to me is the idea of gatherings starting with a "bold, sharp purpose". Currently, we can't fall back on former routines and structures we were used to at school because so much as changed -- especially for our Virtual Academy students. Those teachers and students are conducting school in a way that was totally out of the ordinary until last March. Even our Face to Face teachers and students are making adjustments to what was once familiar with in-person school. Our teachers work tirelessly to create purpose and meaning when they gather with their students whether it's on Zoom or in the physical classroom. They are working to foster connections and build relationships, inspire learning, creativity, and build life-long learners. They are gathering students not because this is school and that's just what we do, but because they have a passion for education and want the best for each and every child.
Caroling Concert
Staff Holiday Movie Character Contest
Advanced Academics Information Night
Students in Grades 5-7 and their parents are invited to learn more about Advanced courses, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Credit, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings in Frisco ISD. The next Webinar will start at 6:00 PM. Please register.
Tuesday December 8th from 6:00-7:30
Important Dates from #TeamSem
December
- 21st - January 4th - Winter Break
- 5th - Return from break
Counselor's Corner
Resources from Mrs. Jones
News from Nurse Madden
Masks are required for all students and staff during arrival, dismissal, and transitions within the school. Staff members have to wear masks the entire day, as well as our 3rd-5th grade students (unless they are eating or engaging in extreme physical activities). K-2nd grade students do not have to wear a mask when in the classroom, but all students are socially distant in their classrooms.
Please see the attached document to learn which type of mask is best.
Have you visited the PTA's website?
Reminders
- Student lunch: Please continue sending your child with lunch every morning. We do not have the lunch boxes outside this year.
- School Internet is Down: If the school internet is down, we will attempt to send a message via Facebook, Twitter or school messenger. Students should continue to work on asynchronous activities until we are able to get back online.
- School Drills: During a school drill, all instruction stops. Teachers are not aware of when these drills will occur, but if they are on Zoom, they will notify the class. Instruction will resume at the conclusion of the drill.
- Unable to Connect to Zoom: Email the teacher and let them know that you are having difficulties accessing the class. If this is an ongoing problem, it might be your internet connection.
- Home Internet is Down: If your home internet is not working, if possible, notify your child's teacher via email or by calling the school. Your child will not be penalized.
- Carpool: Parents need to stay inside their car during morning drop off and after school pick up. If your child needs assistance, please pull to the side and allow traffic to flow.
- PTA: Join the PTA, because we are stronger together.
- Virtual Students: Please make sure your Virtual Academy student is completing 1 art, 1 music, and 3 PE assignments during specials time each week. The skills we are practicing and assessing are compounding and built upon each week. If a student misses an assignment, it will make future assignments harder to understand and complete. When your student returns to face to face learning, they will be behind if they have not been keeping up with specials assignments. Specials assignments are graded with an S for Satisfactory work (turned in on time and understanding is shown) or a U for Unsatisfactory work (not submitted and directions are not followed or completed).
Important Links
Important Resource Links
At Home Technology Information
Informational Links Related to COVID
Zoom Updates
If your student is having trouble with Zoom, the application may need to be updated. In order to update, open your zoom app and click the icon at the top right
Click Check for Updates and it should automatically start downloading the update
Once it's finished downloading click the BLUE UPDATE button and zoom will finish updating!
Here is a link for more information on updating: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362233-Upgrade-update-to-the-latest-version
They Can Do It!!!
If you need to conference with the teacher, please send an email to schedule an appointment.
Our teachers need to see what your child can do independently. Please let your child's teacher correct the work and provide feedback.
Student Absences and Attendance
School starts at 7:45 am. Tardies will be counted for students arriving after 7:45 am.
School ends at 3:05 pm.
We will no longer accept paper notes from the doctor. Any notes or letters will need to be uploaded to the "Report the Absence" tab on the Sem website.
The complete Attendance Procedures are attached.
Grading Policy
Guidelines for Grading
- Grades reflect the student’s relative mastery of an assignment.
- A sufficient number of grades are taken to support the grade average assigned.
- The District shall permit a student who meets the criteria detailed in the grading guidelines a reasonable opportunity to redo an assignment or retake a test for which the student received a failing grade.
Elementary Tutorial
Guardian & child must be present
You must be in your FISD email/google**
Get Connected!!!
Facebook: facebook.com/SemElem2019
Twitter: @SemElementary
Sem PTA:
Facebook: Sem Elementary PTA
Twitter: @pts_sem
Instagram: SemElementaryPTA
Together WE ARE Stronger!
Chic Santa
Christmas Light
Christmas Light
Christmas Light
Christmas Light
Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Mrs. Turner, Sem's Instructional Coach