Special Edition Parent Newsletter
#MissionPossible
12/15/17
Thalia is finally going digital!
Our Chrombooks have arrived for our students. Learning must be relevant and engaging for our 21st century learners. As part of Compass to 2020, our school division's strategic plan, we are excited that Thalia students will be using digital tools to help make learning relevant and engaging. Today's students need so much more to be successful in the classroom than they did in the past and it takes so much more to engage them.
Key Drivers to Engagement
Relevance- Will they use this in life?
Personalized-Differentiated, at their own pace
Collaborative-Allows students a broader understanding of target
Connected-New world of people, places, info and learning tools
Mark Edwards
How do digital tools transform learning in the classroom
Students get what they need when they need it
Students are engaged and successful
Students are not stigmatized or embarrassed
Students are supported by an environment that is highly personalized to their own unique learning needs.
to their own unique learning needs.
What is the Digital Classroom?
A place where teachers are facilitators of learning. A place where students have access to online resources that they can use to solve problems. Students use technology to collaborate and communicate in authentic ways and resources are accessible so that students can use them to solve problems in their world.
If Children do not learn the way we teach, we must teach the way they learn~ Margaret Mead
Thalia students in grades 1-5 will have their own Chromebook laptop each day to do their work with at school. These computers will remain here at school and will not go home. As teachers get better with using these digital tools for instruction, they will use very little paper. After digital citizenship has been established, fifth grade students may have opportunities to take their computers home as assigned.
Research has proven over and over that students do not learn and retain information from worksheets. Because of that, you will likely see fewer papers being sent home in their weekly folders. Teachers will have other methods such as weekly newsletters to give you updated information. They will also be using various digital communications tools such as SeeSaw, Google Classroom and Class Dojo to communicate with you and share information about your student. We are very excited to be able to transform our classrooms into powerful and engaging learning environments.
VBCPS Acceptable Use Policy (Computer Systems)
Just as a reminder, at the beginning of the school year the code of student conduct was sent home, which included the policy regarding computer use as follows:
The School Board provides computer systems to promote educational excellence, resource sharing, innovative instruction and communication, and to prepare students to live and work in the 21st century. Computer systems include, but are not limited to, all computers, electronic tablets, electronic readers, servers, network devices, telecommunication devices, multifunction devices, printers, scanners, peripheral equipment software, local and wide area networks, Internet access, data and digital content. Misuse of computer systems may result in disciplinary action including long-term suspension and/or expulsion. Computer systems shall not be used to conduct illegal activities or to send, receive, view, or download illegal materials. Any authorized or unauthorized use in school or out of school of computer software, computer networks, telecommunications, information technology, and related technologies; or involvement in willful acts that cause physical, financial, or other harm in any manner, is prohibited and may result in a recommendation for expulsion. Any authorized or unauthorized use in school or out of school of computer software, computer networks, telecommunications, information technology, and related technologies, which disrupts or interferes with the education of students in any manner is prohibited and may result in a recommendation for expulsion. Any student who fails to comply with the terms of the Acceptable Use Policy (6-64) or the regulations developed by the superintendent may lose system privileges, and students may be disciplined in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct or other School Board policies and division regulations governing student discipline. Students may also be the subject of appropriate legal action for violation of these policies or regulations. [School Board Policies 6-62 and 6-64] [School Board Regulations 6-62.1 and 6-64.1]
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Dr. Crystal Wilkerson, Thalia Principal
Email: crystal.wilkerson@vbschools.com
Website: http://www.thaliaes.vbschools.com
Location: 421 Thalia Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: 757-648-3880
Twitter: @crystal_wilky