BTES Staff Updates
August 20, 2020
I added some items to the last updates and kept information that I really want to emphasize. We are continuing to address any and all concerns and I will share bi-weekly updates with you as much as possible.
Keep smiling!
Classroom Set Up Procedures
Beginning August 24 staff may begin to come into their classroom to begin their initial room set up. The following procedures should be followed.
- The building will be open from 7:00 to 3:00 p.m. There will be no night hours and the building will be open Monday through Thursday.
- You must enter through the main entrance only.
- Once you enter the building you are required to sign in and record your temprature.
- Masks must be worn when you are in the hallways.
- Secretaries are off limits - please do not come into the office. All your mail has been delivered to your rooms. Use your phone in your classroom to contact the main office.
- Only one person in the teachers workroom at any given time - must wear a mask and wipe down items when done (i.e copy machine, paper cutter, etc..). Absolutely no congregating in the hallways.
- I am requesting that you do not bring family members. However, if it is absolutely necessary they all must sign in, take their temperature, wear a mask, and remain in your classroom.
If you have visited any of the following states within the last 14 days you are not allowed to come into the building. Once the quarantine is over you may enter the building. Please check this link for states that require this procedure.
TE's
We are currently in the process of getting all the necessary TE's for all homeroom teachers. I am under the impression that science, social studies and language arts are all good. We will be placing an order for the new math series shortly. The company formerly known as Pearson K12 Learning is now called Savvas Learning Co - just an FYI.
At this moment in time we do not have enough math TE's. We are placing a second order which we hope will be here before the school year starts.
Classroom Set Up
- All the rooms have been set up with the approximate number of desks that you will need to successfully run the hybrid program.
- Desks must remain in rows and teacher tables / desks will be in the front of the room.
- Chromebook carts will remain within the classroom.
- Closets can be used as storage because the students will be required to hang their jackets on the back of their chair and their bookbag will stay at their desk.
- If you want a trapazoid /retangle table in the front of the room you need to ask for it and I will make sure it is there.
- All black ELMO carts have been removed. ELMO's should be placed on your teachers desk.
- Please label all garbage and place in the hallway.
- There are still many personal items that need to go home. The only thing that should be in your classroom are students desks, chairs, teachers desk, teacher chair, small table and if you use a lectern that may stay as well. There is no storage available within BTES. If they have a bright pink post it on them - they need to go.
Custodians - Room Switches
For the individuals that had their rooms changed the custodians will assist with switches. All the rooms will be set up by the end of the day tomorrow. Desks will be moved intact, books and supplies in shelving units will be brought to your new room. As a side not, we do not have any boxes so these items will be placed in your room as neatly as possible for you to organize. If you would like all your items moved into your room we can begin that process, just let me know sooner rather than later. If there are things that you absolutely need we can talk about it once your room is completely set up and ready to go.
Technology Corner
Lots of things to address with technolgy.
- Because there will be no computers as a special this year, homeroom teachers will need to input computer grades on the report card.
- Phone - voicemail extension stays the same, but your extension changes if you switched rooms.
- Clever will be your gateway to everything - I am told you will have access to all links through Clever.
- The reason you cannot see anything in the virtual world is due to the fact that we are still developing classrooms. Once this is uploaded you will have full access.
- If you took a computer home it needs to be brought back to school for updates. Please let Wayne know when you are in the building.
- Mr. Reid will be sending out information this week regarding much of what I mentioned. I am sure there are going to be a million questions.
In The Loop
- Lunches and breakfasts will be delivered to the rooms prior to the students leaving for the day and will be Grab and Go. No fuss no muss! There will be no selections - one breakfast and one lunch per day. We are working on a preordering plan that will assist with this task.
- Virtual pick up of books and chromebooks will be Thursday, August 27 from 9-12. Currently we have about 155 students going virtually.
- I was told to share this - If you are Berkeley Township School teacher please remember that tutoring can not take place during school hours and you are not allowed to tutor anyone within your classroom.
- Related services for students will be provided in person (i.e. speech, ot, pt, etc...) Ideally, only one student at a time, however, if you are pulling from the same room you may take two.
- I am hoping to give you some more details about scheduling next week.
Questions - Anyone can answer.
Books needed for 5th and 6th grade - only respond if I am missing any from my list. These are the ones that will be going home for the virtual students.
- ELA - MyPerspectives Workbooks (6th)
- ELA - Reading Anthology / Close Reading Companion / Workbooks(5th)
- Math - EnVisions Math Workbooks (5th & 6th)
- Social Studies Text (5th & 6th)
- Science Resource Books (5th and 6th)