C & I Update
Explore. Learn. Thrive. 4.24.20
Required Distance Learning Begins!
A small example of this comes from my own experience as a parent working with my kids (4th and 6th grade at QES) and their amazing teachers (Ms. Maez, Ms. Molsee, and Mrs. Beacham). Two weeks ago, Ms. Molsee assigned her 6th graders to brainstorm 20 things they wanted to learn about and choose one to focus on. Abby, my daughter, loves to cook, loves science and space. Her future career path is to be a Culinary Arts teacher! To combine her various interests, she posed the question about how they make food for astronauts in space. She was able to find a food scientist that works for NASA online- emailed her (yes, a female!), and guess what? She wrote her back! This is one example of what is possible when we think about doing things different and opening up the world to our students.
So, as we move through the next five weeks, let's use this time to do things differently. Have you always wanted to try out Genius Hour? Do it. Want to explore Khan Academy to personalize learning? Jump in. Want to utilize FlipGrid? Now is the time. Want to work more with your colleagues to explore Project Based Learning? Let's do it!
I look forward to what the next five weeks bring for our students! As I shared with our Principals this week, we are only at the starting line of the next phase of education!
Friday Night Lights
Friday, April 24th, at 8:20 pm we will light up the high school, FRC stadium, and ask everyone, businesses and homes, to turn on their outdoor lights and keep them on for 20 minutes to honor the seniors of the class of 2020. 8:20 pm is 20:20 on the 24hr clock.
Portola Parade
Distance Learning Plan-April 21, 2020
Good afternoon!
As we collectively navigate our transition to required distance learning beginning April 27th, we are pleased to share our Plumas Unified School District and County Office of Education Distance Learning Plan. The plan is representative of numerous conversations over the last four weeks and is in alignment with the recently signed PCTA/PUSD MOU.
This document is divided into three areas:
Family Portal
Student Portal
Staff Portal
Included in this plan are a number of resources and guiding documents. Please begin with the staff portal for the documents most applicable to you. If you have questions or need clarification, please reach out to your site Principal.
Thank you for your patience in getting to this place. We understand that the transition to distance learning has been a huge undertaking and we sincerely appreciate all of your efforts to support students and families.
Sincerely,
Plumas Unified Leadership Team and PCTA Negotiating Team
Welcome Class of 2033!!!
7-12 Grading Decision
Last night, April 20th, 2020, our Governing Board took action on the grading policy for 7th-12th grade students. After considering a number of options, stakeholder input from administration and Plumas County Teacher’s Association, the following was approved for the spring semester of 2020:
Letter grades, A-F, will be used on the report card and transcript, with a hold harmless provision. With the hold harmless, a student’s grade can only be improved, it can not go down from March 13 to the end of the semester.
Some examples of possible grading scenarios, all based on a teacher’s grading system, include:
Grade on March 13, as reflected in the third-quarter grade , available in Aeries Portal:
A
Cannot drop to B, C, D, F
Will receive A at semester
B
Can improve to A
Cannot drop to C, D, F
C
Can improve to A, B
Cannot drop to D, F
D
Can improve to A, B, C
Cannot drop to F
F
Can improve to A, B, C, D
Can receive F at semester
This was not an easy decision to make and each possibility had pros and cons. The full document outlining the options considered and pros/cons can be found here. Grading options for TK-6th grade students are still being considered and have not yet been determined.
As we move into the next phase of distance learning, required and graded instruction beginning Monday, April 27th, we encourage all students to #OwnYourLearning and #FinishStrong. Teachers and staff are here for students and families and are working diligently to continue high-quality teaching and instruction during this pandemic.
Further details can be found in the Distance Learning Plan that was released to staff today, April 21st
Zoom security tips from Mary Juska, CES Library/Media Specialist
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oTYbomYnjH_5SYqpagR5j87EALcjZWS_
Curriculum & Instruction-COVID 19 Related
COVID 19 Educator and Staff Resources on the PCOE/PUSD Website
Educator and Staff Resources (Main page) includes links to COVID 19 Updates, Access to Books and Audiobooks, Instructional Resources (see below) and Virtual Meeting Tools.
Instructional Resources for planning for supplemental, enrichment and intervention education. This page includes an extensive list of links for Educator Resources broken down by grade level (TK-6, 7-12) and subject matter.
Link to Daily FAQs from C & I
Link to School Closure FAQs
PCOE/PUSD End of Year Timelines Update April 16, 2020
Shared Google Drive for Elementary Distance Learning
Assessment
Update on COVID-19 and the Suspension of Statewide Testing
From the California Department of Education Assessment Spotlight:
If your school is closed due to the unprecedented circumstances surrounding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), you should not worry about any statewide testing this school year. The California Department of Education (CDE) is doing the following:
- Suspending all CAASPP testing
- Suspending Summative ELPAC testing
- Placing the Physical Fitness Test on hold until students return to school
- Canceling the California High School Proficiency Examination test administration for the weekend of March 21st. All March test takers have been reregistered for June or provided information on how to request a refund. Additional locations and space within current locations will be increased to accommodate this change.
- Placing high school equivalency testing on hold until testing centers are reopened
In addition, if a school is back in session, the expectation is that the Initial ELPAC will be administered to students for initial identification, as required by California Education Code Section 313(a). However, Senate Bill 117 extended the timeline to conduct the Initial ELPAC by 45 days. Local educational agencies should continue to assess newly enrolled students whose primary language is not English when they return to school. This will ensure that new students who are English learners can receive the appropriate instruction and services. The CDE will continue to make available the following resources to support teaching and learning:
- Practice tests, training tests, interim assessments, and Digital Library formative assessment tools and resources for CAASPP
- Practice tests and training tests for ELPAC
The CDE is working with the California State Board of Education to seek waiver authority afforded by the US Department of Education to waive federal testing requirements. We will keep you updated as we have more information.
COVID-19 and A-G Course Descriptions
From UC High School Articulation, News & Updates
Featured FAQ of the month:
My campus is transitioning to online instruction as a temporary measure due to public health precautions related to COVID-19. Does this situation require me to re-submit my A-G course descriptions, and will it in any way affect the status of A-G approved courses?
No. Existing A-G approvals stand (including for area D courses and lab activities) and are not affected by any temporary changes to mode of delivery due to this emergency.
Please note that specific questions about transcripts and course/grade validation should be directed to Admissions at askuc@ucop.edu.
Human Resources-COVID 19 Related
Technology Help Ticket
1. Visit the link above:.
2. Select "Submit a ticket"
3. Click on your site: Example PHS or CES, depending on which site you need us to assist you in.
4. Fill in ticket details and confirm the 5 digit code before submitting your work request.
Mileage Reimbursement Policy for District Meetings (including VT/CAIS)
Upcoming Dates
Help us share the great things going on around our district!
Useful information
Instructional Coaches
Our Instructional Coaches are here to help!
Yvonne: ycasalnuovo@pcoe.k12.ca.us
Susan: sfrediani@pcoe.k12.ca.us
Vertical and Grade Level Teams
2019-2020 Grading Period Calendars
PUSD Employee Handbook 2019-2020
Useful Links
1. Visit the link above: (This has been updated on our websites as well.)
2. Select "Submit a ticket"
3. Click on your site: Example PHS or CES, depending on which site you need us to assist you in.
4. Fill in ticket details and confirm the 5 digit code before submitting your work request.
Please Note: Previous work orders did not migrate over to the new system, so we ask that you please create new tickets moving forward so that our Team can assist you in a timely manner, as we revisit your sites in the coming weeks.
TK/K- 6th Grade ELA
Curriculum and Instructional Services
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
@kristymwarren on Twitter
@PlumasUSD on Twitter
Email: kwarren@pcoe.k12.ca.us
Website: http://www.pcoe.k12.ca.us/pages/Plumas_Unified/District/PUSD_Departments/Student_Performance
Location: 50 Church Street, Quincy, CA, United States
Phone: (530)283-6500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Plumas-Unified-School-District-451388284901916/
Twitter: @PlumasUSD