Celebrate Teachers & eLearning News
Volume 1, Issue 5: Teacher Appreciation Week 2020
Distance Learning Updates
Below please find some information related to finishing strong during distance learning. After you are done with the business part of the newsletter, please take time to enjoy and engage in the treats celebrating all of you. Our friends at SMORE have put together a note of their appreciation of your incredible work.
Finishing Strong in Weeks 8 and 9
It is our aim to create the conditions over the final weeks of school up to May 27, 2020 that allow students to finish strong and experience success in Distance Learning. It is also our intent to empower teachers and teacher teams to prioritize key learning objectives and implement systems and structures of support for students and families.
Having grace, compassion and flexibility during distance learning means that we allow students to learn at their own pace, give them multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning, and provide the ability to turn in submissions additional times to show proficiency.
Additionally, because of our extended Spring Break, there is more content in each course than weeks left in the school year. Below are some details and recommended actions for elementary, middle and high school teachers.
Elementary Info & Recommended Action Steps
Teachers are encouraged to review learning activities and assignments contained in all modules and determine critical content for student demonstrations of mastery.
PLCs may determine what critical content should be prioritized and what content should have less focus at this time. Non-prioritized content can be exempt by entering the gradebook and changing the status of those assignments to “excused.” Teachers must communicate to students that anything marked “excused” will not be their responsibility.
To support students with completing essential assignments, no new assignments from FLVS will be published for week 9. Students are encouraged to continue SmartyAnts, Zearn and connecting with teachers, but other time should be prioritized on critical content.
Secondary Info and Recommended Action Steps
Teachers are encouraged to review learning activities and assignments contained in all modules and determine critical content for student demonstrations of mastery.
- This is especially relevant to CTE, AP, IB, Cambridge and many elective classes. CTE teachers will need to be aware of core learning that meets certification requirements of their academy or program, and that most certification tests will occur in the last two weeks.
- ACCESS points teachers will continue to use these weeks to complete essential learning with students remaining consistent with the provision of services to students based on their IEP.
PLCs or individual teachers of their own course may determine what critical content should be prioritized and what content should have less focus at this time. Non-prioritized content can be exempt by entering the gradebook and changing the status of those assignments to “excused.”
Teachers must communicate to students that anything marked “excused” will not be their responsibility. All other assignments in course segments, weeks, or modules must be completed to the best of their ability before the course deadline. This refers to missing, zeroes, or scores the student wishes to improve. Students can easily see this by clicking on “Grades” in myLearning. Teachers should message that learning continues, and help support student completion and success of coursework.
Mental Health Learning for Students
In their myLearning Mental Health course, students will see important information, announcements and most importantly directions for accessing an Everfi Mental Health Basics course and how to reach out if they need additional supports.
Our district mental health team has thoughtfully developed directions and made adjustments to the learning experience for students as a result of the shift to Distance Learning and students not being in their school buildings with direct access to teachers and staff.
Knowing that conversations and learning about mental health can potentially cause increased stress for our students and/or their families all student services staff will be ready and available to support students and families with any needs that arise. Student services staff will serve as the "teachers" of the mental health course and will be available and provide support and resources as necessary.
ELA teachers will not oversee this instruction as was planned prior to COVID-19. Those who completed the training prior to Spring Break will still be compensated for their time and effort and we appreciate your support of this work.
This is required instruction for students and we will monitor completion, but there will not be a grade given for this work.
Mental Health Learning for Staff
Quote from Andrea Lewis, 3rd Grade Teacher, VES: “I wanted to let you know that the Kognito training was one of my favorite online PDs I’ve ever done. The simulations modeled were so applicable. It was well worth an hour of my time, and I’d love to do more of them periodically. It’s a fantastic resource for reminding all educators how to approach and have those difficult conversations with students and parents in the most productive way possible.”
Kognito At-Risk for School Educators is an on-line interactive simulation for school educators and staff that builds awareness, knowledge, and skills about mental health and suicide prevention. During both distance learning and when school is in session, the simulation prepares users to lead real-life conversations with students that build resilience, strengthen relationships, and connect them to support.
Pursuant to F.S. 1012.584 & 1012.584, all Pasco County School staff is required to participate in training for youth suicide awareness and prevention. All staff who have not attended the 6-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid training (YMHFA), must complete an alternate training, titled Kognito. The Kognito training consists of a 1.0-hour virtual simulation training.
The requirement is for all staff to be trained in YMHFA or Kognito prior to school starting this fall, August 10, 2020.
Directions to Complete the Kognito Training:
Register via MyPGS, choose one of the three simulation trainings listed below:
- If you have a certification and need inservice points, you will register as instructional staff (e.g. Administrators, Behavior Specialists, Learning Design Coach).
- If you are non-instructional and receiving training hours, you will register as non-instructional staff (e.g. ESE IA, FNS, Bus Driver).
- Please register for one of the three options under Instructional or Non-Instructional course sections, then choose the level (Elem/MS/HS) that you primarily work with, or if you are not school based or unsure what level to attend, participate in the middle level training.
The completion of each level of Kognito Simulation training and corresponding assignment will provide 1.0 in-service credits. If you take more than one Kognito level simulation training, additional 1.0 inservice points/training credit will be awarded for each level, but you must register on MyPGS for each level training separately to be awarded additional points up to a total of 3.0 inservice points/training credits
When you register via MyPGS, you will be emailed directions how to participate in the Kognito training. If you are unable to register via MyPGS or access canvas, you may call Patty Collins at 813-492-5372 or via email: pcollins@pasco.k12.fl.us
If you need assistance or have questions around Kognito or YMHFA, please contact:
Kelley Huelle via email: khuelle@pasco.k12.fl.us or call: 813-714-7866 or Vicki Papaemanuel via email: vdumois@pasco.k12.fl.us or call: 813-501-2017.
Dear Teachers,
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