Welcome to Digital Learning
A Message From Principal Hejl
Digital Learning Roll Out
Good Afternoon Nighthawk Nation,
It is a bittersweet moment for us at NVCS. We are excited to try 100% digital learning, but we miss seeing our student’s smiling faces! As has been mentioned in previous parent letters, we are navigating uncharted waters with our virtual learning, and as such there will be some bumps. Please be patient with us as we dive into digital learning with your students. Our number one priority is to help students feel supported and successful during this time.
Over the past few weeks, even during their breaks, our teachers have been preparing to launch digital learning in the event that buildings were closed. When we got the news that we would not be returning until April 20, 2020 our staff began preparing so that we would be ready to welcome students back to school digitally on March 30, 2020. During these past few weeks I have supported teachers through their sadness about not being able to see our students and their families until April 17th, their concerns over learning new technologies, and their joys as they mastered new tools to help support our students through digital learning. I cannot put into words how lucky we are at NVCS to have such a strong, caring, dedicated group of educators! Our teachers are focused on how to best support students during this historical event that has brought with it so many changes to our daily lives.
This week teachers have started to send out parent communications about their digital learning classes including their Google Classroom Codes, teacher contact information, and when they will be available daily to help students and parents. We understand that this information can seem overwhelming, especially for our middle school students who have more than one core content teacher. I want to assure you that our number one priority is to provide students with educational opportunities that will result in them feeling supported and successful during this time. NVCS staff will be very flexible, supportive, and adaptable during the time we are teaching digitally. If your student is experiencing difficulty in a class, on an assignment, or on an assessment please reach out to your teacher(s). We will partner with you to ensure your student is successful, that they are not spending too much time on school work during their days, and that you have the tools to support them at home.
We will be utilizing Google as our digital learning platform because it is a tool that many of our students have used and are comfortable with. Teachers have planned lessons that will either be taught live (recorded and posted for those who cannot attend) or be pre-recorded and posted. These digital lessons will be taught through the use of Google Classroom and Google Meets.
Commonly Asked Questions:
How will I manage working from home and supporting my students' education?
We understand that with all the constant changes associated with COVID-19 people’s schedules are very different from what we are used to. Our goal with our digital classrooms is for you to access the materials at times that are convenient to you. This is why every lesson will be recorded and posted on your student’s Google Classroom for you to access at your convenience.
Does my student need to be online a specific amount of time each day?
Just like in regular, on site classes, every student learns and completes assignments at a different pace. We will not be monitoring student time in classes. We will be grading completed work and documenting that work in Infinite Campus, but there is not a digital attendance policy in place at this point in time.
If your student is spending an overwhelming amount of time trying to complete assignments please reach out to their teacher(s) so that we can adjust as needed. Please remember this is our first time launching 100% digital learning and we are open to feedback.
Other states are not requiring students to complete coursework during this time, why are we?
We are offering digital learning during this time so that we will not have to participate in an extended school year (school year going into the summer months). We are working with The Colorado Department of Education on this and have been given specific guidelines.
This is a very stressful time for students, are there still emotional supports we can access?
Mrs. Jobman is our full time counselor. She has been working hard to create supports for parents, students, and teachers. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to her during this time. ejobman@newvisioncharterschool.org
What will grading look like?
Teachers will be grading assignments. We understand that your student is not getting the in person support they normally do and have asked teachers to provide opportunities for students to get extra support and feedback on assignments they need support on. Our goal is for all students to be successful during this time, if you student is struggling and in need of extra support please reach out to their teacher.
The positivity and support I have seen from teachers, parents, and community members the past two weeks as we navigate these new waters has been beyond amazing! While I am missing our student’s humor in the hallways, their laughs in the lunchroom, and their unforgettable daily “studentisms,” I rest assured knowing that our students are going to have unforgettable learning opportunities in the coming weeks brought to them by a team of the most enthusiastic, caring educators I have ever worked with. I will be hosting a Google Classroom with some fun, optional character education activities and read alouds for you and your students to access. That code will be sent to student emails Friday, April 3, 2020.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you have,
Marian Hejl
mhejl@newvisioncharterschool.org
I will be available every day from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and from 12:30-4:00 pm via email.