Panther Corporation Newsletter
November 2019
November 5th...First eLearning Day for Students!
“Our learners are curious and can create, innovate, and learn anytime, anywhere.”
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We are excited to announce that Griffith Public Schools will be participating in eLearning opportunities for the 2019/20 school year. An eLearning Day will allow students to work remotely in the case of inclement weather, scheduled educational circumstances (ex. PD for teachers), or unforeseen circumstances. Traditionally, Griffith Public Schools and other school corporations have had makeup days added to the end of the school year calendar. In the era of accountability, these missed days mean that educational momentum is lost. Having eLearning days ensures that we maintain momentum with the curriculum, in addition to having our students being better prepared for ISTEP and AP exams. Teachers and students in Kindergarten through 12th grade will utilize Unified Classroom for their eLearning Day. Unified Classroom can be accessed on any device that can connect to the internet.
On November 5, 2019, our students will be participating in their first eLearning Day which is Election Day. We have practiced for this day since October 1st. Moving forward, when inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances causes school to be cancelled, Griffith Public Schools will use an eLearning Day on that missed school day. Students will have regular assigned classwork on eLearning Days. Students and parents can communicate online with teachers during their office hours 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM. During eLearning Days, technology staff will be answering technology-related issues by calling 219-924-4281 ext 5025 or submitting an online help ticket in the eLearning portal.
Additional information regarding eLearning Days can be found on our district website at https://in01000714.schoolwires.net/domain/772. You will also see links to videos regarding eLearning as well below this letter. Please take a moment to watch!
We do realize and understand that our first eLearning Day will be a learning experience for everyone. Please be patient as we continue to learn and refine. A survey will follow this first eLearning Day for parents/guardians to complete. From the feedback, we will make refinements and adjustments as needed.
Finally, moving forward, as we begin to implement eLearning Days, there will not be the need for “make-up” days.
Sincerely,
Michele Riise
Superintendent
MS/HS Information regarding November 13 and November 20...Please read!
Dear Students and Families,
Griffith High School will be administering the ISTEP+ Grade 10 Mathematics and English/Language Arts assessments to current 11th and 12th grade students who have not yet achieved a qualifying score on one or both of these state assessments. These assessments will take place on November 13, 2019 and November 20, 2019, respectively. On these days students who are not obligated to take the assessments will be participating in an e-Learning day and will not report to school. This includes all 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grade students along with select 11th and 12th grade students. Only those students who are identified as needing to still successfully achieve a qualifying score on the ISTEP+ Grade 10 Assessment will need to report to Griffith High School on November 13th and/or November 20th.
Students who will be participating in the ISTEP+ Grade 10 Mathematics and/or English/Language Arts Re-Test administration will be notified by Griffith High School and be provided a specific testing location to report to on November 13th and/or November 20th. All students who will be participating in the ISTEP+ Re-Test will be provided lunch at school along with brain breaks between testing sessions. Additionally, those students who utilize school transportation will still be transported to and from Griffith High School at their regularly scheduled times. If you are a student who is identified as needed to successfully achieve a qualifying score on the ISTEP+ Grade 10 Assessment you must be in attendance during the scheduled Re-Test days (November 13th and/or November 20th). Please be reminded that this assessment is a graduation requirement.
The e-Learning day does not include Elementary School students and students enrolled in either the Panther Adult Program, Intense / Life Skills Program or Social Emotional Program. Those students will still observe their regular daily schedule and report to school at the regular time.
November 13, 2019 – eLearning Day for all HS and MS students excluding:
- Students participating in the ISTEP+ Grade 10 Mathematics Assessment
- Students enrolled in the Panther Adult Program*
- Students enrolled in the Intense / Life Skills Program*
- Students enrolled in the Social Emotional Program*
* A field trip is planned for those student enrolled in these programs that are not participating in the ISTEP+ Grade 10 Mathematics Assessment
November 20, 2019 – eLearning Day for all HS and MS students excluding:
- Students participating in the ISTEP+ Grade 10 English/Language Arts Assessment
- Students enrolled in the Panther Adult Program^
- Students enrolled in the Intense / Life Skills Program^
- Students enrolled in the Social Emotional Program^
^ An activity day is being planned for those students enrolled in these programs that are not participating in the ISTEP+ Grade 10 English/Language Arts Assessment
All Griffith High School and Middle School teachers will report to the building on both November 13th and November 20th and will help proctor the ISTEP+ Grade 10 Assessment and be providing select office hours to help students working on their e-learning assignments.
Respectfully,
Brian Orkis
Principal
Griffith Middle / High School
To Report Bullying...
ANONYMOUS BULLYING HOTLINE
Parents and/OR Students CAN call or text 219-533-0092
to anonymously report bullying or cyberbulling.
Walking Times for Community Members
Griffith Public Schools will permit access to the field house for walking Monday thru Friday from 6:00 - 7:00 AM from December 2, 2019 through March 20, 2020. There will be no walking during winter break. Walking will resume on Wednesday, January 6, 2020.
Visitors should park and enter through Door T, Wiggs Street entrance, as well as sign in prior to entering the fieldhouse. Walkers will be asked to sign an injury waiver upon entering the facility for the first time.
Ms. Jody Tibbs will be happy to greet you every morning and ensure that you are able to access the field house for this purpose.