Ray Marsh Newsletter
April 5, 2020
Thank you for a Great Week!
The first thing I want to share with all of you is how much our staff appreciates the support and patience you have shown us. Obviously this isn't a situation any of us wanted to be in, but we are adjusting and meeting regularly to support each other. It means a lot to them to get positive feedback, and it helps us to make sure we are providing the best learning experience we can for all of our students. I also want to recognize the work that all of YOU are doing. It's not easy balancing a job, family, school, and all of the other things that happen each day. You are all doing amazing!
I realize that the technology isn't always reliable and there were issues with VPN last week. The district is hopeful that they have the VPN issue corrected, but has shared with us that they are seeing more issues in regards to internet providers with so many people across the country using internet. Our district technology center wants to help support you when issues arise, and as a reminder their information is below.
Friday, April 10th, will be a professional development day for our teachers so they may be a little less available than normal as they complete online learning opportunities. April 13th is an off day for our staff.
If you have any questions or problems arise you can email us and we will do our best to get back with you.
VPN
vpn
This is something that most of the older students know about, but for my PreK-2 grade students you will need to turn on the VPN when the IPADS are at home. Below is a screen shot for how to do that. School IPADS will not connect to the internet without the VPN being switched on.
Technology Support
technology support
Technology support will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday. The district’s Web Help Desk ticketing system is available at https://support.smsd.org to any employee or student.
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) team has placed a permanent link/app on all devices for easy access. This link can be accessed by clicking on the link that looks like a life preserver, or by clicking on this Help Desk link. The Help Desk can also be reached by phone, and is available to all employees and students at (913)993-8880. ICT encourages using the ticketing system as much as possible as phone support is more limited.
Community Resources and Information from our social worker, Mrs. Mahoney
https://sites.google.com/smsd.org/mrs-mahoneys-socialworkcorner/home
Important resources:
If you are concerned with the mental health of anyone in your family here is a link to Johnson County Mental Health. https://jocogov.org/dept/mental
JCMH also has great resources when struggling about Covid-19:
Information about Free Internet
Comcast:
Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.
Internet Essentials Free to New Customers: It’s even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign-up for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward.
Spectrum:
Offering free broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
Upcoming Events at RM
- April 10th-No School; Professional Learning for Teachers
- April 13th-No School
- April 16th-Kindergarten Round-Up-We are looking at virtual options, and I will be sending out more information soon.
- May 4th-No School; Professional Learning for Teachers
- May 22-Last Day of School
Spotlight on Ray Marsh Students
Paige suggested that they use tape on her doors - to discourage her cheating.
She is hoping to raise money- $1/hr that she spends in the ‘closet quarantine’ challenges! The money she raises will go towards our local church pantry or to harvesters in Kansas City.
Contact Jill Swanson via email if you want to help with a donation or want more information about the challenge tjs.housedivided@gmail.com
Meditation and Anxiety Relief - Ray Marsh Parent - Shannon Kinney-Düh
Anxiety relief and breathing techniques for anxiety - mainly for adults. These are available on the free app, Insight Timer. https://insighttimer.com/shannonkinneyduh
Ray Marsh Elementary
Email: kaseyweishaar@smsd.org
Website: marsh.smsd.org
Location: 5642 Rosehill Road, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 913.993.3400