CHS9 Tiger "Tea"
March 20, 2020
#ConroeUnited #ilovebeingaconroetiger
Principal's Message to Families
Tiger Family,
Our children and our family's physical and mental health is most important as together we fight Covid-19! This should be everyone's top priority!
Two weeks ago I would have never imagined the events that have taken place to lead us where we are today. I know you have been inundated with emails and phone calls from the district and now your children's teachers have started reaching out. Many of you have kids in multiple schools and I have spoken to some of you regarding the amount of information coming from so many different directions. With all that being said we can never forget our top priority!
Thursday morning Dr. Null held a conference call with the principals. He stated how “everyone is living through their own struggle” right now. This is so true! We need to remember this as we continue this fight. He shared how our jobs as educators is to support others and for us to move slow and always stay calm. This is especially important for all of us as we work from home. Dr. Null shared; “what we are doing instructionally cannot be one more burden” on our students, their families, and our own families. I share this with you because I want you to know our district leader's philosophy and it is mine as well! Don't forget our top priority!
With all this being said I want you to know how proud I am to be a member of the Conroe Tiger family! The work our teachers have done this week has been amazing to witness! Next week we will push out the core subject's online instruction and then the following Monday we will add your elective courses. Your children's education has not stopped. It has been adjusted. Living through this experience is an education itself!
I have included Dr. Null's Facebook live message, a link to the CISD Parent Resources, fa list of free resources, and answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teachers, counselor, assistant principal, and always fell free to contact me.
A key to life is to be able to maintain a positive attitude and strong work ethic no matter what comes our way and we will do this by maintaining a focus on our top priority! 20 years from now, your children will not be thinking of the biology they learned or didn't during this time, but they will remember this experience!
This is a learning process for us all, but together we will get through it and come back stronger than before! It is my honor being your child's 9th Grade principal! If you have any questions or needs, please always feel free to reach out to me.
Stay healthy and let's always remember our top priority! That is what matters most!
Bryan Gorka
Dr. Null's Facebook Live Message #2
Principal's message to students
CHS9 is missing you! Your teachers have been working hard preparing online Canvas lessons that will begin Monday. Fredrick Douglas, a famous American orator said; “if there is no struggle, there is no progress”. This quote is as true today as it was in the 1800’s. This pandemic is a world wide struggle, but we will get through it and be stronger because of it! It has not stopped your education. It is your education! How you respond to adversity is what matters. So when your courses roll out it is time to get to work with a "can do" attitude! If you have any friends who don’t have a device or internet to get their work done, please contact me with their name. We are here to support all of our students and we will find a way!
Be smart, be safe, and stay healthy!
Mr. Gorka
Conroe High's Morning Announcements
#stayhometexas
Online Learning FAQ’s for Parents & Students
Information at of March 20th – 6:00 pm
Q. Which online platform will be used by students & teachers?
The online platform that will be used for Conroe High School – Main Campus and Ninth Grade Campus is Canvas. Most courses will start by Monday, March 23rd. There are some elective courses (Career and Technology, Fine Arts. Physical Education, Teen Leadership and LeadWorthy) that will begin on March 30th. Teachers may utilize other applications like Google Drive, EduCreations, Flipgrid, Charms, etc. However, they will post the daily activities in Canvas. We encourage students to update their notification settings in Canvas and if needed, update their contacts methods.
Students access Canvas through the CISD SSO at https://sso.conroeisd.net
Parents can access Canvas through the CISD website at https://www.conroeisd.net/department/technology/canvas-login/ - using their Parent Access Credentials
Q. What do I need to do if I have not received any emails from my campus or teacher?
It is most likely because your email has not been updated or you blocked CISD messaging. Confirm your email address on file with Nuris Defensor via email: ndefensor@conroeisd.net
Once you have confirmed your email address:
If it was wrong, that was more than likely the problem.
If the correct email is listed, and you are still having issues, parents will need to contact CISD Technology Help Desk to see about removing the block at CISD Technology Help Desk or Call 936-709-SOLV (7658) for technology help. You can also email help@conroeisd.net
Q.How can students check their CISD Outlook email for communications from their teacher?
Log into your SSO, Open Office 365 – Select Outlook
If prompted for your username and password you must enter your full username including @studentmail.conroeisd.net
Q. If students are having general problems accessing CISD technology applications, what can they do?
Make sure students have logged in using the CISD SSO Portal (https://sso.conroeisd.net)
If students cannot access their Google Drive through Canvas - log out of Chrome and Google Drive. (Make sure all people using the device are logged out). Close Chrome, then open it again. Go to https://sso.conroeisd.net and login, open your CISD Google Drive first, then open Canvas. You may have to authorize your CISD Google Account.
Contact our CHS Technology Help - Call 936-709-SOLV (7658) for technology help. You can also email help@conroeisd.net
Q. When will assignments be available and when are they due?
All assignments will be posted by teachers on Canvas every Monday morning, and assignments will be due the Sunday of each week by 11:59 p.m.
Q. What will the grading policy look like for online?
Due to extenuating circumstances we have suspended the current CHS grading policy. Teachers will communicate with students throughout the nine-weeks what assignments/quizzes/tests grades will be expected for their courses.
Q. If parents or students have general questions, who can they contact?
Students’ counselor or administrator or: contactchs@conroeisd.net.
Q. If a student does not have computer access, what are their options?
District is currently working on this matter, and we will update once we receive this information. Paper copies can be made available if needed. Please contact your child’s counselor if students are unable to access the internet and need a paper copy.
Q. If students are having Canvas problems, where can they go for help?
Students will contact their teacher of the course that they are having difficulty accessing the information.
Q. What if my child has an upcoming ARD or 504 meeting?
Our special education staff or 504 Coordinator will be contacting you to set up your meeting either by phone, video conference or face to face with social distancing guidelines in place.
Q. What about College Board testing for SAT/ACT/AP tests?
All SAT/ACT’s have been canceled through the end of May
College Board will release information about AP testing--we will communicate all information once we receive it from College Board.
Q. Will students have to take the STAAR test for this school year?
No, they will not have to make up the STAAR test for this year. Governor Greg Abbott has waived testing for the 2020 school year.
Q. Where can we find updated information about school closures?
Conroe ISD Website – www.conroeisd.net
#chsvirtualspirit
Helpful information from various sources
1. WALGREENS AND CVS WAIVE PRESCRIPTION DELIVERY FEES
2. Xfinity is removing data caps and opening up their WiFi network for 60 days.
3. Walgreens.com everything online free shipping with no minimum purchase starting 3/13
4. All current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming).
5. Free International calling for all current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers to Level 3 impacted countries.
6. Fee international calling for ALL current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers to Level 3 [cdc.gov] impacted countries.
7. AT&T, Verizon and Comcast are also waiving late fees and providing unlimited data. Those carriers, plus T-Mobile and Sprint, all signed the FCC's pledge to not terminate residential or small business services for those who can't pay bills during the coronavirus pandemic; waiving late fees; and opening their Wi-Fi hotspots to all Americans for the next 60 days.
8. U-Haul Free 30-Days of Self Storage for College Students Displaced by Coronavirus.
9. Mint Mobile: Unlimited HIGH-SPEED 4G LTE Data (Current and New Customers) 3/15 - 4/14
10. Get Free Access to Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi Internet Free For 60 Days for households with students.
11. Zoom Video is offering free video conferences for schools.
12. Audible has free audio books for kids of all ages https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Schoolmessenger
To receive SMS (text message) notifications on your mobile device, please text "Y" to 67587.
Conroe High School 9th Grade
Email: bgorka@conroeisd.net
Website: http://chs9.conroeisd.net/
Location: 400 Sgt Ed Holcomb Blvd. North, Conroe, TX, USA
Phone: (936) 709-4000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CHS9ConroeISD/
Twitter: @ConroeHS9