Buckalew ONLINE/REMOTE Info
Letter that went out in email on 12/4
Parents of January 2021 Online Learners,
Thank you for your response in letting us know your student will remain online starting January 6th. At this time, our results indicate that we will have 90% of our students in person and 10% staying online for the 3rd grading period. With these numbers, I feel compelled to let you know there may be a chance that your online teacher may change due to small numbers across every grade level and even smaller numbers online per each homeroom class. There is also a chance that your online teacher at some point may be one within our district, not necessarily from Buckalew. As we have each and every grading period, we are trying to make the best decisions for each and every child at Buckalew during this pandemic, and with approximately 65 students remaining online going into the 3rd grading period, this may possibly look different than it has in the last two grading periods.
If this changes your intention, or you would like to speak with someone directly, please email contactbuckalew@conroeisd.net. Please indicate your child’s name, grade, and the best way to reach you. We are happy to speak with you directly about changing platforms and about the mitigation strategies we have in place on our campus. You may also free to reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher.
While we know each decision is a personal one, and we respect your family decision, we do feel strongly that in person instruction has been safe and successful since we started September 8th. We also feel strongly that having a certified in-person teacher all day long does not translate for elementary school aged students the same in the online instructional format, no matter how hard we are trying to replicate it.
We are in the early planning stages for January now, so this email is intended to prepare you that an online teacher and online live instruction schedule change is possible. I do not want this information to come as a surprise in January yet will reassure you that all CISD teachers are certified and will follow the same scope and sequence.
Here is the original link from CISD explaining our online expectations as a district.
Parent Expectations for Remote/Online Instruction
- Be available throughout the day to support your child.
- Communicate any technology needs with the campus.
- Access your child’s teacher’s Canvas or Seesaw account to review the course expectations for each class.
- Ensure your child is following their daily schedule for learning to take place.
- Monitor student work and grades in your parent account.
- Communicate any needs and concerns to the appropriate teacher.
- Communicate with your child daily about their progress in each course and encourage them in their studies.
As COVID cases are currently rising in Montgomery County, we are very proud of the success of our in person learning. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions and are still considering moving from online to in person even after the December 1st deadline. While I don't have all the answers at this time, please know we are doing everything we can to make the best instructional decisions for your child's social, emotional, and academic progress.
Very Respectfully,
Jill Price
Principal
Possible Online Teacher Change and/or Schedule Change
As we are working on the best possible way to meet all in person learners and online learners needs, this may look very different the 3rd and 4th grading period and could result in a change of teacher and/or schedule. If you would like to speak with someone about returning in person, please reach out and call 281-465-3400 or email contactbuckalew@conroeisd.net
1.Review the UPDATED Live Instruction Sent home from your Child's Homeroom Teacher Each Week
2. Review Buckalew Specials Classes (PE, Art, and Music)
Our Specials Teachers are:
Mrs. Doak- Art
Mrs. Ramirez- Music
Coach Russell- PE
Every Friday, our specials teachers will publish assignments in Seesaw for K-2 or Canvas 3-4 for the upcoming week.
Explanation of Grades: Participation and Conduct- Students will receive a grade for each in Art, Music, and PE.
E - Excellent S - Satisfactory NI - Needs Improvement U - Unsatisfactory
Participation Grade Criteria: This grade is determined by the level of student engagement in weekly lessons, activities, and skills practice. Evidence of work is demonstrated by completing and submitting assignments and/or work samples (i.e., photos, videos, voice samples, etc.) in Seesaw or Canvas. Students should submit assignments for Art, Music, and PE, as students will receive a grade in each.
E - 7 or more assignments completed during grading period
S - 4-6 assignments completed per grading period
NI- 1-3 assignments completed during grading period
U - 0 assignments completed during grading period
3. Review Student Expectations for Remote/Online Instruction
- Review teacher’s Seesaw lessons or Canvas course to understand the expectations for each course including the grading requirements, homework policy, etc.
- Attend class daily per the schedule and/or assignment submission for each day.
- Complete assignments according to the published schedule in Canvas or Seesaw.
- Participate in large and small group instruction for remediation and enrichment as prescribed by the teacher.
- Attend live teacher sessions through video conference as much as possible.
- Access teachers through office hours, help sessions, email and Canvas.
Each Friday a weekly schedule with daily task lists will go out from your child’s homeroom teacher through Seesaw (k-2) or Canvas (3-4). Parents, you can alter the schedule to meet your family needs as long as tasks are completed and your student is engaged each day. Students are not required to participate in Live Instruction times below, but are encouraged to attend. Lessons will be recorded and available in k-2 Seesaw or 3-4 Canvas course.
4. Parent Expectations for Remote/Online Instruction
- Be available throughout the day to support your child.
- Communicate any technology needs with the campus.
- Access your child’s teacher’s Canvas or Seesaw account to review the course expectations for each class.
- Ensure your child is following their daily schedule for learning to take place.
- Monitor student work and grades in your parent account.
- Communicate any needs and concerns to the appropriate teacher.
- Communicate with your child daily about their progress in each course and encourage them in their studies.
5. Review Asynchronous and Synchronous Definitions
The Asynchronous Model is a curricular experience where students engage in the learning materials on their own time, interacting intermittently with the teacher via the computer or other electronic device while accessing course content and/or other resources using the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) in Grades 3 – 12 and Seesaw in grades PK – 2. Asynchronous Learning may include Synchronous Learning, which is two-way, real-time, live instruction between teachers and students through the computer or other electronic devices. This method may be used in conjunction with an asynchronous model, meaning the teacher may designate some class time when the entire class is online at the same time for direct instruction or a demonstration. Synchronous learning might also be used to deliver a course remotely when it is not available in an asynchronous format. This would mean that much like going to school, a student would be expected to be present for a given class period each day that would be delivered remotely via the Learning Management System (LMS). Conroe ISD uses the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) in Grades 3 – 12 and Seesaw in grades PK – 2.
6. Review Asynchronous Learning Expectations
- Check-in with the teacher each day.
- Complete asynchronous activities assigned each day via LMS.
- Students show proof of participation in daily eLearning by satisfactorily completing assigned tasks to demonstrate evidence of student learning, i.e. video, picture, or activities submitted as lessons and/or completing assignments. Please Note: All lessons must have an assignment. There will be teacher discretion on the number of assignments as they follow the CISD grading guidelines.
- Students and parents will communicate with the teacher when needing additional assistance, tutoring, etc.
- Examples: Self-paced online courses with teacher instruction; pre-assigned work with formative assessments on paper or in LMS; watching pre-recorded videos of instruction with guided support.
7. Review Synchronous Learning Expectations
- Students attend real-time virtual classes with their teacher and classmates.
- Students follow CISD dress code.
- Students are ready to learn.
- Workspace is designated for the student.
- Students will show their face on the screen to engage with the teacher virtually.
- Students will participate in the class.
- Examples: Live interactive classes with students and teachers participating real-time; teacher supported work time on video conference calls; scheduled and timed online tests.
8. Grading Procedures
9. Know that Technology Support is HERE
Online Curriculum Access Videos
Students in grades PreK-2 will use Seesaw for courses and assignments, and students in grades 3-12 will use Canvas. Please see the videos below to learn about accessing these systems.
3rd & 4th Grade - Canvas Parent Notifications
Are you receiving too many Canvas email notifications? Watch this video to learn how to manage your account. HERE
- What is my student’s chromebook login? It is usually part of the last name with part of the first name. You will need to get this information from your child’s teacher. You do not need to add the @conroeisd.net in the username field. The password is stu+6 digit student ID. You must put stu in front of the number in the password.
- What if I don’t know my Student’s student ID number in order to sign up for Parent Access? Contact your child’s campus. We are not able to give out student ID numbers at the district office.
- How does my student access Canvas or Seesaw? Your student will login to the Conroe ISD SSO and click the appropriate tile. sso.conroeisd.net For Seesaw, your child’s teacher will send a Home Code invitation with instructions to login to the Seesaw Class. If you have not received this invitation, contact your child’s teacher.
- Why is my chromebook saying it is locked? Chromebooks that were not turned in after the spring semester were locked until returned to campus. Contact your child’s campus to get this chromebook unlocked.
- How do I get a Parent Canvas account? First create a Parent access account. You will use the same login for Canvas.
- Why are there no courses in my child’s Canvas account? Students in grades 3-12 will receive their courses at 6am on August 12. If your child is missing a course on August 12, contact the teacher of the missing course.
- What is the best device to use for online instruction? Most PK-2nd grade students work best on an iPad. Most 3rd-12th grade students work best on a chromebook. Google Chrome is the best web browser for Canvas.
- Do I need to download Zoom on the Chromebook checked out by my campus? No- All district chromebooks have the Zoom extension installed automatically.
- The Chromebook I got from the school just has a spinning circle? The chromebook by default tries to connect to CISD. Click the wireless icon in the lower right and connect to your home wireless or your hotspot.
Conroe isd public wifi access points
10. Library News
Students who elected online distance learning can check out books from the Montgomery County Library. Their lobby is open to pick up books that are put on hold, to return books and to apply for a library card. The county library has several resources for audio books, electronic books as well as traditional hardback books.
We have several books checked out from last school year that need to be returned ASAP. Notices for overdue books are sent weekly. If you have a library book from us, we don't charge any overdue fines; we just want the book returned. If your library book can't be located, we do ask that you be responsible and pay for the cost to replace the book. The cost of the library book will be printed on the overdue notices. You can make your check payable to Buckalew Elementary; please include your driver's license number and date of birth on the check per CISD policy.
Please feel free to bounce back with any questions 🙂 jgwest@conroeisd.net
Jennifer West
Librarian/Media Specialist
11. Campus Curbside Meal Pick-Up
Beginning Thursday, August 13, curbside meals will no longer be free for all students. Breakfast and lunch meals will be available curbside for students to purchase or free to students who qualify.
- Families are asked to pick up/purchase meals for all of their children at the campus of their oldest child.
- Meals will be available curbside at all campuses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM – 12 PM.
- Multiple meals will be distributed at a time. Tuesday: 2 breakfast meals/2 lunch meals Thursday: 3 breakfast meals/3 lunch meals
- A student meal card must be presented to scan and identify the student when meals are picked up.
- This card is located in Parent Access and can be printed on paper or presented electronically on a phone.
- Any change from a cash transaction will be applied to the student’s meal account.
- Pre-payments can be made at www.myschoolbucks.com.
- Meal prices and the free and reduced meal application are available on the Child Nutrition website.
(*This process may be updated.)
Questions? Please contact the Child Nutrition Department at (936) 709-8185.
12. Sign up for Emergency Alerts
13. CISD Student Handbook
14. PARENT Frequently Asked Questions
15. Join Buckalew's PTO
The purpose of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is to:
(a) promote the welfare of children at Buckalew
(b) to foster cooperation between parents and teachers in the education of children at Buckalew
(c) to unite school and community efforts in securing for all children the best education
(d) to engage in fundraising activities for the educational and recreational benefit of Buckalew, its children, teachers, and staff as determined by the PTO and in accordance with the PTO by-laws.
If you would like more information on how you can be involved, please visit Buckalew's PTO site here.