Parent Newsletter: Fall Edition 3
August 31, 2020
Don't Forget to Attend your Grade Level Morning Meeting!! We Start at 9:40 Every Day!!
Morning Procedures for Students
At 9:40 AM. We will have announcements, updates from our administrative staff, and important information shared by our counselors. These sessions will be facilitated by the administrative staff and the counselors, and are the first mode of recording student attendance. PLEASE NOTE: Students should not arrive at their meeting before 9:15 AM. Additionally, please do not leave your child unattended in the morning meeting until a staff member is present. Please think of this link as the equivalent of our building. Students should not be left unattended until we open the doors, and supervision is present.
6th Grade:
A-L: https://meet.google.com/yvk-pnua-wcj
M-Z: https://meet.google.com/pmr-vboy-job
7th Grade:
A-L: https://meet.google.com/reo-hsnv-swh
M-Z: https://meet.google.com/zvk-zetf-qsq
8th Grade:
A-L: https://meet.google.com/fxs-ievm-vuf
M-Z: https://meet.google.com/agr-qmdb-ygi
Students without a schedule should email their grade level counselor. At this point, all enrolled students should have a schedule.
Camera Ready Check: – Teachers will monitor students at all times during the morning meeting. As they enter.
1. Welcome students to the meeting.
2. Prompt them to turn on their camera and drop their name in the chat.
3. Check their lighting, ensure they are dressed appropriately.
Attendance:- We will take preliminary attendance at the morning meeting.
1. If a student is absent, we will contact their parents.
Grade Level Secretary and Assistant Principal will ensure compliance and attendance.
1. We will call the parent of any student with: Camera Off and/or inappropriate attire.
2. We will contact parents if a student is absent.
3. We will contact parents if a student is tardy.
Parent Meeting: We will meet to discuss Beginning of Year Testing
Here is the link: https://meet.google.com/qok-bkbb-uke
Beginning of Year Testing Starts Wednesday!
All scholars will participate in Beginning of Year baseline assessments. Student log in credentials will be provided by the 4th period teachers. We will also email the log-in credentials to parents and students.
The testing window will open soon, with assessments in the following subjects and dates:
- 8th Grade Social Studies, Wednesday, September 2, 2020
- 8th Grade Science & 7th Grade Writing, Wednesday, September 9, 2020
- 6th-8th Grade Reading & English 1, Wednesday, September 16, 2020
- 6th-8th Grade Math & Algebra 1, Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Please have your scholar take time to practice, using the link here. Review questioning formats, tools and features of the online test.
https://tx8.testnav.com/client/index.html#login?username=LGN424158057&password=EC33GZLH
Beginning of the Year Testing Overview
Distance Learning, I'm New to This, Help!
Schoology: What is this?
Schoology is our online learning platform where students receive and submit their assignments daily.
How? You must log into the my.springisd.org portal FIRST and find the SCHOOLOGY icon.
Once you click the icon, you should AUTOMATICALLY BE SIGNED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT. Log in DAILY and submit your class Exit Ticket for credit.
What if I’m having trouble with my log in account?
Your 4th Period teacher can assist you.
Do grades and attendance count?
Yes, logging into Schoology everyday and completing your virtual learning assignments are mandatory. Your attendance will be counted, and your assignments will be graded from there. You will attend each class on your schedule. You will have small breaks in between, time to work on your own, and consult with teachers during office hours.
Instruction from my teacher:
Your teacher has a live class link during your specific period. Log in to class for instruction from your teacher AND you MUST log into Schoology to complete your assignments.
This is the way we can track your attendance and help you stay on top of your learning as a team, together... virtually!
What does my school day look like?
You will follow your schedule found in the Home Access Center (HAC), under Classes. You will use the virtual bell schedule times to report to those classes.
I'm at home, can I wear my pajamas when we have class?
No. You are expected to look PRESENTABLE and ready for learning for all school interaction.
How am I supposed to behave, act, and feel about this new way of learning?
YOU ARE EXPECTED TO SHOW YOUR BUCCANEER BEST in any environment! We are scholars that are learning, during school hours.
Virtual Bell Schedule
Virtual Teacher Roster
Need your Home Access Center Password Reset? Click here to request a reset.
Need your student password reset? Click here to request a reset.
Attendance Matters So Make Sure Your Student is Marked Present
With online learning, we know there are some questions on attendance and how to ensure students are marked present for the day. Here’s what families need to know:
Log in and attend class in real-time with your teacher during the morning and the afternoon.
If you were unable to attend a session because of a technology issue, don’t panic. Students attending either the morning or afternoon session will be counted present for the day.
We know some families may have trouble sticking to the daily schedule because of a variety of issues, including parents’ work schedules, power outages, technology problems or distractions at home.
If your student for some reason misses both the morning and afternoon live instruction with their teachers, they can still make up the work by logging into Schoology and completing the day’s assignments. For that effort to count, however, students must do this before 11:59 p.m. each day to be counted present.
Even with all the challenges of online learning, attendance is still being tracked and still counts. Attendance matters, and we want our students in class and learning every day, 100 percent of the time. At a minimum, state standards require students to attend school at least 90 percent of the time the class is in session to receive credit.
If your family is struggling with attendance, let us know now so we can help!
How to Access Schoology
The only way for students and parents to access Schoology is to log into the mySringISD portal from the district’s website using their district-issued username and password and then clicking on the Schoology icon.
Families who have been trying to log in through the Schoology mobile app or through the Schoology website will be unable to do so because the district is using single sign on, which makes it easier to access all instructional resources.
We know some parents and students downloaded the Schoology mobile app in the spring but we would urge everyone to delete that from your phone and log into the portal directly from the district website.
Free Immunizations Offered for Students Sept. 14
The district is joining with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Care Van to offer free immunizations to students from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 14 at the Spring ISD Community Engagement Center, 17125 Ella Blvd. The event, which will require appointments, offers parents a chance to make sure their children’s required immunizations are complete and up-to-date, at no cost.
Due to COVID-19, health and safety measures will be in place this year to protect families, clinic staff and volunteers, and the number of available doses will be limited. For this reason, parents and guardians must register ahead of time. To register your child for an immunization appointment on Sept. 14, 2020, contact the Family and Community Engagement department at 281-891-6685.
Participating families should bring their children’s immunization shot records and make sure that everyone over two years of age has a mask covering their mouth and nose. Clinic staff may also perform a brief screening and temperature check to ensure students are well enough to receive their shots. Participating students will receive a free backpack donated by Community Health Choice.
For information about immunization requirements for Texas students, visit www.springisd.org/immunization.
Virtual Volunteer Opportunities for Families
The Spring ISD Family Engagement Department encourages families and caregivers to play an active role in their children’s education. This year, we are encouraging families to stay actively engaged by volunteering in our schools virtually. Below are sample virtual volunteer opportunities. Please contact your child’s campus parent empowerment liaison for specific virtual volunteer opportunities at their school.
Parent-to-parent communication: Campus parent leaders can create a phone bank to check in on and support other parents who are part of their school’s parent organization.
Parent tutors: Parents who are comfortable with technology can assist other parents and students with navigating Spring ISD’s online support tools as well as assist students with homework.
Self-care support: Parents can support other parents’ self-care by hosting virtual leisure classes for parents. Wind down by participating in sewing classes, yoga, painting, fitness, etc. This encourages self-care and socialization with other parents.
Literacy support: Parents can support literacy by serving as the surprise guest reader of the week and reading stories to students in their virtual classroom.
Virtual parent organization support: Parents can participate in virtual PTA/PTO/booster club meetings and activities.
Virtual Career Day: Parents can participate in a virtual classroom and share their experiences in their chosen profession. This will help students see the connection between learning now and their future careers.
Virtual College Day: Parents can participate in a virtual classroom and share their college experiences with students.
How to Create a Learning Space at Home
Spring ISD has kicked off the 2020-21 academic year virtually as we work to keep our students and staff safe from COVID-19.
Learning from home can pose challenges for the entire family, especially as parents juggle work responsibilities and class schedules for multiple children who all need to be online. There’s no magic solution but there are some tips and strategies to help create a calm and positive environment for everyone:
- Have a dedicated learning space for each student. This space can be the kitchen table, the corner of a room or a desk area, if available. The key is designating a quiet area.
- Have your student personalize the space with their school supplies or a special name,
- such as “Watson Learning Academy” or “Smith School Space.”
- Make certain that the learning space includes a flat surface for writing, and a power outlet nearby in order to charge your student’s device.
- Stay flexible. Find ways to make your space mobile if needed, such as using a folding dinner tray, ironing board, or a lap tray.
- If limited on space, keep a basket with learning materials. This way, the kitchen table or some other area in your home can be converted into a learning space. Cups can be used to sort out items such as pencils, crayons and markers. Use bins or containers to store art supplies.
- Get rid of distractions. This includes television, cell phones and video games. Use a prop up tri-fold board, DIY out of a cardboard box, or tabletop screens to eliminate interruptions.
- Does your child get restless easily? You can fill a bowl with fidget toys your child can grab when they feel restless. Add things like a smooth stone, gummy erasers, a stress ball, spinner or a few LEGO pieces.
- Make sure your child is supported in their seat. Use a pillow to give back support and/or place a box on the floor to support your child’s feet.
- If possible, invest in a pair of headphones for your student so they can have better audio over the computer and minimize the distraction of background noises.
No one solution will work best for every student, so figure out the strategies that work for your child and family. The key is creating some calm and consistency so your student can stay focused on learning!
Download the Spring ISD Mobile App and Stay Informed
If you haven’t already downloaded the Spring ISD mobile app, take a few minutes to do it today.
The app is available from Google Play or the App Store and features a personalized experience so parents and guardians can easily use their smartphone to access important student information, including assignments, classes, grades, lunch balances and attendance.
Just as important, parents can update their contact information to ensure they’re always in the know when messages get sent at either the campus or district level. Please see the step-by-step guide on how to get started:
- Once you have downloaded the app, you can access your student’s information by selecting the “Student Info” icon.
- Now type in your “myspringisd” username and password. If you don’t know your username and password, please contact your school.
- Once you log in, you will see icons with your name and the names of your children. Select your student’s icon.
- Now you will see lots of great information like your student’s classes, grades, assignments and lunch balances.
- Click on your name, too, to make sure your phone number, text/SMS number and email address are correct. That way, you’ll be sure to get important campus and district information.
- Lastly, make sure to set your alerts. You can get notifications including: missing assignments, class grade updates, assignment grades, and cafeteria balances. Doing this will help you help your student have a successful year!
That’s it! You’re ready to use our mobile app to get personalized information about your student. Have questions? Check out: www.springisd.org/mobileapp.