Kodiak Family Update
11/02/20 - 11/06/20
In this Update
- CRITICAL UPDATE: Quarter 2 Changes
- Health and Safety Reminder
- From the Principal
- Team One and Team Two Weekly Schedule
- Upcoming Events
- District Covid Dashboard
- Parent Teacher Conferences
- Kodiak Coaches' Den
- Employment Opportunities
- Important Links
CRITICAL UPDATE: Quarter 2 Changes
Starting quarter two, Tuesday, November 10th students, parents, and staff will see some changes to our schedule and at home learning. Please read this communication carefully as it details the daily/weekly schedule and how we are going to continue to partner with families to provide quality instruction for all students. Please pay close attention to the team one/two schedule over the next few weeks.
REMOTE LEARNING MONDAYS
The board approved remote Mondays for students in grades 6 through 12. This new schedule will give teachers the much needed time to plan, grade, and collaborate with their colleagues. Starting Monday, November 16th all VMS and secondary students will follow the schedule below:
Remote Learning MONDAY Schedule
8:20 - 8:45 ~ 1st Period
8:50 - 9:15 ~ 2nd Period
9:20 - 9:45 ~ 3rd Period
9:50 - 10:15 ~ 4th Period for 6th/7th grade; 5th Period for 8th grade
10:20 - 10:45 ~ 5th Period for 6th grade; 6th Period for 7th/8th grade
10:50 - 11:15 ~ 7th Period
11:20 - 11:45 ~ 8th Period
11:45 - 12:15 ~ LUNCH
12:15 - 3:10 ~ Independent Work Time
Students will join Microsoft Teams meetings at home in the morning for each class starting with first period at 8:20 am. Each class period will be 25 minutes long and will follow with the next class period until lunch. Students will then stop and go to lunch, using the rest of the school day, working on their own, to complete the assignments that were given during the morning Microsoft Teams meetings.
Synchronous Learning at Home
We have heard from teachers, students, and parents that the at home days are very difficult for students. This new structure will provide students with a daily schedule to follow, a chance to engage with their peers daily, an opportunity to ask their teacher questions, and teachers will be able to teach one lesson to ALL of their students whether they are at home or in the classroom. We feel this change is important to increase student engagement on their at home days. The need for a consistent schedule and frequent check-ins with staff are important to create success for students. Below details what at home schedules will look like:
Monday, November 9th
- Last day of quarter 1
- Students will follow the VMS bell schedule (see below)
Tuesday, November 10th
- First day of quarter 2
- Team one in person
- Team two students at home will join the Microsoft Teams meeting that are scheduled by the teacher each class period
- Teachers will take attendance in PowerSchools for at home students and at school students
- Teachers will use the meeting to check in with students, Q&A, and deliver instruction
- Teachers will check back in at the end of the class period for any additional instruction or questions. During the teams meeting, online students can mute their microphone and work on their own, with the option to ask questions during the call by raising their virtual hand.
- Students will follow the VMS bell schedule (see below)
Wednesday, November 11th
- Team two in person
- Team one students at home will join the Microsoft Teams meeting that are scheduled by the teacher each class period
- Teachers will take attendance in PowerSchools for at home students and at school students
- Teachers will use the meeting to check in with students, Q&A, and deliver instruction
- Teachers will check back in at the end of the class period for any additional instruction or questions. During the teams meeting, online students can mute their microphone and work on their own, with the option to ask questions during the call by raising their virtual hand.
- Students will follow the VMS bell schedule (see below)
Thursday, November 12th
- Team one in person
- Team two students at home will join the Microsoft Teams meeting that are scheduled by the teacher each class period
- Teachers will take attendance in PowerSchools for at home students and at school students
- Teachers will use the meeting to check in with students, Q&A, and deliver instruction
- Teachers will check back in at the end of the class period for any additional instruction or questions. During the teams meeting, online students can mute their microphone and work on their own, with the option to ask questions during the call by raising their virtual hand.
- Students will follow the VMS bell schedule (see below)
Friday, November 13th
- Team two in person
- Team one students at home will join the Microsoft Teams meeting that are scheduled by the teacher each class period
- Teachers will take attendance in PowerSchools for at home students and at school students
- Teachers will use the meeting to check in with students, Q&A, and deliver instruction
- Teachers will check back in at the end of the class period for any additional instruction or questions. During the teams meeting, online students can mute their microphone and work on their own, with the option to ask questions during the call by raising their virtual hand.
- Students will follow the VMS bell schedule (see below)
Monday, November 16th
- ALL students will be at home
- Students will join the Monday morning Microsoft Teams meeting at the appropriate time during synchronous learning
- Teachers will take attendance in PowerSchools for all students
- Students will follow the asynchronous bell schedule independently on Monday afternoons
- Students will follow the Monday remote learning schedule (see below)
Quarter 1 Alternating Day Schedule
Quarter 2 Alternating Day Schedule
The Big 6
To keep all students and staff healthy during this time, we are focusing on the Big 6 health and safety protocols:
- Sanitation (both hands and high touch surfaces)
- Facial Coverings (Cloth Face Covering)
- Physical Distancing (6 feet or greater)
- 15 minutes (not within 6 feet for longer than 15 minutes cumulatively)
- Monitoring for Symptoms ((fever 100.4 (without taking fever reducing medication), loss of smell or taste, chills, new/unusual headache, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea/loss of appetite, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, congestion/runny nose)
- Covering coughs and sneezes (In a tissue, or in your elbow)
From the Principal
Late Work Deadline
The quarter one late work deadline is Friday, October 30th. Any work not turned in by the deadline may not be accepted for credit by the teacher. If you have concerns about your student's grade, please reach out directly to the teacher.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Conferences will be held Wednesday, November 4th and Thursday, November 5th and will be a phone conference. Due to physical distancing and sanitation requirements, conferences will be held over the phone. Each conference will be 7 to 8 minutes. Click here to sign-up for a time. Due to the limited number of time slots, please only sign-up for a P/T conference if you have concerns about your student's progress in a course. The teacher will call the parent at the designated time.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Go Kodiaks!
Partners in learning,
Will Schumaker, Principal
Daily Reminders for Students
- A water bottle
- Charged laptop
- Laptop charger
- Stylus
- A warm coat
November Upcoming Dates
04 - Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences
05 - NO SCHOOL
05 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
06 - NO SCHOOL
09 - END of Quarter 1
10 - First Day of Quarter 2
18 - PTSO Meeting at 7 pm, VMS Library
19 - Donut Sales During Lunches
20 - Donut Sales During Lunches
20 - Late work DEADLINE
21~28 - NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Holiday Break
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Withdrawing a Student from Victory Middle School
If you will be withdrawing your student from Victory Middle School, please contact the registrar (Leah Westfall) at least two days prior to your student’s last day at the school. We have a simple form to complete and some basic information to collect in order for your student to make a smooth transition to his/her next educational environment. Thank you in advance for your communication and assistance.
Kodiak Coaches' Den
Central District Health moved West Ada School District into category red. Transitioning into red operations means there are adjustments to competition, as outlined in our pandemic game management plans.
While middle school athletics will continue, in accordance with our game management plan, spectators may not attend events on West Ada School District property beginning October 19.
Covid-19 reminders: Please do not send your child to practices and competitions if he/she is not feeling well. Each athlete is encouraged to have their own water bottle and hand sanitizer.
For more information about Covid-19 and athletics visit https://www.westada.org/domain/11103
Questions? Contact athletic director Scott Dew dew.scott@westada.org
Did you know you can follow Victory athletics on Twitter? @VictoryMiddle
Go Kodiaks!
Seeking Applicants for ParaProfessional
Seeking Applicants for Noon Duty
Important Web Links
Below is a list of important links that can be found on the VMS and West Ada websites.
About Victory Middle School
Established: August 2016
Email: schumaker.william@westada.org
Website: www.westada.org/vms
Location: 920 West Kodiak Drive, Meridian, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 350-4443
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoryMiddle/
Twitter: @VictoryMiddle