Raider Nation Staff Newsletter
Week of April 6, 2020
HCPSS Continuity of Learning Plan
Hello Raider Nation,
Happy Sunday! I hope you all had an opportunity to “disconnect” this weekend considering all the time we have spent being ‘plugged in’ this past week. Working virtually can often be more taxing as it is sometimes difficult to unplug. My advice to everyone is to make sure you do unplug! I will try to follow my own advice. :-)
This week is a three-day work week before heading into spring break. Enjoy Thursday, Friday, and Monday! Below is the schedule for the week. There are THREE mandatory items this week -- staff meeting on Wednesday, Google Meet practice with colleagues (ITL will determine), and send Canvas message to your students.
AHS Virtual Staff Meeting (ALL STAFF)
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 @ 8:30am
meet.google.com/tyk-xkti-exp
Join by phone
+1 225-746-8726 PIN: 589 475 212#
THE WEEK AHEAD (4/6 - 4/8)
Monday
Morning -- planning / Canvas modules
Afternoon -- curriculum course meetings / planning
Tuesday
Morning -- planning / Canvas modules
Afternoon -- department meeting & planning
Wednesday
Morning -- staff meeting / practice Google Meet with colleagues (department meeting)
Afternoon -- planning / send out Canvas message to students
Your ITLs will communicate with you regarding department meetings this week.
This past week HCPSS began distributing technology to those families who expressed a need. This past Friday, the distribution was at Atholton and I had the opportunity to see a few of our students and families that came out. Being in the building really made me ‘homesick’ and seeing familiar faces made me realize how much I truly miss the hustle and bustle of Raider Nation.
On another note, there have been reports around the county of teachers going back to their buildings to retrieve items. We were asked to reinforce with you that NO staff member, regardless of position, is allowed to enter the school building during the school closure for ANY reason. All schools have been cleaned and sanitized. Only identified staff have clearance to be in schools for maintenance checks and food and technology distribution. Any staff member entering a school building without prior approval from Central Office is in violation of Policy 7030: Employee Conduct and Discipline and may be subject to disciplinary action.
There are two issues which remain unresolved at this point -- questions about language regarding “improving” 3rd quarter grades and attendance for check-ins. It is my understanding these will be addressed in our principal’s meeting Wednesday afternoon. Regarding attendance, we were told the following: maintain a record of student participation for our HCPSS internal needs. More guidance regarding how to collect this data is coming in future communication. As for grades, things are leaning toward allowing students to improve the grade they would have received on their report card for the 3rd quarter. Therefore, if a student was to receive a “D” for third quarter, they would be allowed to improve that grade FROM a “D.”
Lastly, please remember to complete the Student Contact List. We have to reach out to students who have not made contact with anyone and need to make sure that our list is accurate. Additionally, I hope you are following the Media Tips that Carolyn and Natalie have developed. You are being bombarded with a lot of information and they have taken the time to consolidate most of it. If you have not enrolled in the Technology Resources course on Canvas, please do so IMMEDIATELY! This is where you find all the information about Google Meet, send out your link to students, etc.
I know there are still many unanswered questions. I can only ask for your patience and understanding as I seek to gain answers that keep us compliant with the expectations of HCPSS. You all are handling this transition very well. As you met in your department meetings and began to discuss how best to serve students, each of the administrators left so impressed with your dedication to making this work!
Robert
THIS WEEK
Meetings
All Meetings are VIRTUAL
Monday -- Student Services / Admin 9:30am
Tuesday -- Department Meeting (TBA)
Wednesday -- Staff Meeting 8:30am
Wednesday -- Department Meeting (TBA)
Mark Your Calendar
SPRING BREAK -- Teacher Work Days -- April 6 - April 9
NO SCHOOL -- April 10 - April 13
Students RETURN -- April 14
Atholton High School
Email: rmotley@hcpss.org
Website: ahs.hcpss.org
Location: 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD, USA
Phone: 4103137065