Thank you for an EXTRAORDINARY first week of school. Yes, the first week of school is a big deal! While we experienced difficulties with technology and navigating subject areas, we still had an extraordinary week. Returning to school in URL was different but the return shared quite a few similarities with a traditional return to school, as we adjusted to new routines and procedures, a new grade level and new teachers. This was a big deal for our scholars completing this process virtually, which was challenging. Thus, our scholars deserve a huge shout-out! Way to go Dolphins! I am so proud of both our scholars and our parents. We proved that we are definitely in this together!

What can you expect in Universal Remote Learning Week 2?

Student Success Skills sessions will begin at 7:40 a.m. daily, and our scholars are encouraged to log-in 5 minutes early. During week two our scholars will continue to follow the URL Schedule as posted. It is normal to expect a few transitions, as we are still in the early phases of a new school year, in a remote learning environment. Start-up activities are very important to ensuring routines, procedures and standard expectations. However, parents can begin to anticipate a deeper dive into instruction this week, in preparation for our iReady Diagnostic testing (August 27-September 11). We are also preparing for our student device reset in the next few weeks. The reset will be for students in grades 4 and 5 who received devices last spring.

IReady Diagnostic Assessment Schedule 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades ONLY:

Math Diagnostics begin in Grades 3-5 Thursday, August 27th

Reading Diagnostics begin in Grades 3-5 Friday, August 28th

The classroom teacher will schedule a meeting with his/her class as well as share a video with families about the virtual testing process.

Specials Start This Week

Students will begin Specials Classes (Art, Music, Media/Literacy Lab, and PE/Health) this week. All Special Area teachers have a channel in the homeroom teacher TEAM site. If you have trouble navigating to the Specials class, please contact your homeroom teacher for support.

Thank you again parents, for your consistent support and flexibility. You have continued to show grace as we navigate this new normal. I greatly appreciate that. Please be reminded that during live sessions, it is important that students are able to engage in the lesson without interference from parents and other family members. Encourage them to keep microphones muted and monitor activity in the background. We want to create an atmosphere conducive to success for all scholars.

In Partnership,

Principal Wilson, Proud Dolphin

As we continue on this journey through Universal Remote Learning I want to assure you our teachers are expected to deliver instruction that is top notch. Our scholars must continue to learn because they are still preparing to be productive citizens of this world.

Scholars will participate in both asynchronous (pre-recorded) and synchronous (live) instruction.

Asynchronous instruction is instruction that is self-paced. Scholars will access online assignments and complete them independent of the teacher. Asynchronous instruction could also be listening to a video or completing lessons on I-Ready.

Synchronous instruction is instruction that is facilitated by the teacher and is live. Teachers will deliver direct instruction live daily and work with small groups live in Microsoft Teams. Teachers will be expected to have one on one conferences with scholars which would also be considered synchronous instruction.

When you view our schedules you will see the school day begins at 7:40am. Remember this is not the last 9 weeks we experienced previously. We will operate a full schedule beginning August 17th. Scholars will move in and out of asynchronous and synchronous instruction from 7:40am-2:20pm daily. Attendance will be taken daily. Grades will be given for each content area and they will count towards promotion or retention. Please make sure scholars are logged in on time for their classes and complete assignments as directed by their teachers.

I understand that this is going to be a huge adjustment for all of us. However, together we can do anything. Most of our communication will be done through Infinite Campus, PBIS Rewards and Blackboard. Please make sure you have activated your parent portal in Infinite Campus. This allows you to receive email communication, see your scholar's homeroom teacher and content area teachers once they have been updated, as well as see schedules, grades, and receive notifications. Please use the following link to update/create an account https://www.fultonschools.org/infinitecampus

Please feel free to contact the school directly with any questions regarding our journey into Universal Remote Learning this fall at 470-254-6520.