Abby Reinke Distance Learning
April 10, 2020
ARES Distance Learning
Dear Timberwolf Families,
We hope that you and your students are doing well. This has been a very busy week for all of us as we have been preparing over two hundred learning devices, learning how to log onto various learning sites and finally getting started with our distance learning. Since this is new to everyone, teachers, office staff, administration and parents have spent a good amount of time troubleshooting technical issues as we have been slowly rolling out distance learning. Our teachers, and administration are working long hours, fielding questions, learning new systems and technology and working together as Professional Learning Communities. We are so blessed to have such a dedicated staff.
We are very thankful for the patience and teamwork that our staff and parents have displayed during these new and difficult times. While some families may be ready to jump in quickly and get started, we encourage everyone to ‘slow down’ and acknowledge that the Abby Reinke community and Nation are enduring a traumatic event. Please understand that many of our Abby Reinke families, teachers, and support staff are experiencing very difficult financial hardships, relational strains, anxiety over health concerns, employment concerns, etc. and we need to care and love each other as we walk through these difficult times together. Here at Abby Reinke, we will always put relationships first.
My husband and I are also walking through this new Distance Learning experience. As I write, Darren and I are both working from home and Burklee is working on her Learning Opportunities. I am such a social being and I love school with my whole self. Being away from it is extremely hard. I genuinely love each and everyone of my staff members and ALL of our beautiful students! As your child’s Principal, I believe that FAMILY is incredibly important. The mental, physical, and relational health of your family is far more important than Distance Learning Opportunities. I want to encourage you to give yourself, your children, and your teachers grace as you seek to be engaged daily in Distance Learning Opportunities. You and your children may be carrying heavy burdens right now. Please give them and yourself permission, if needed at times, for various learning sessions or assignments, to disengage from distance learning opportunities. Allow yourselves the grace to let that momentary burden to be taken from your day. My school was blown down by a tornado when I was in 5th grade. We lost several weeks of instruction as school was over for the year. I turned out to be successful and have the BEST job ever! We will get through this together!
Since there is so much going on in our students’ lives, we want to use these Distance Learning Opportunities to enrich, connect, and support your students. We hope to create a safe place for our students and build participation by making it meaningful, doable, and relevant. In order to do this, please read the below information items that are part of our distance learning opportunities program and practices.
Designated Learning Times: These are times for your students to engage in Distance Learning Opportunities. These times will vary based on family availability.
Posting of Assignments: Teachers will post Distance Learning Opportunities in various subjects each day. Each individual enrichment assignment should take students approximately 20 minutes to complete. For example, a teacher may post individual math, reading, and writing assignments. These 3 assignments should take approximately 60 minutes for the student to complete. Students are encouraged to participate in the daily learning opportunities provided and submit any assignments or work they complete. Assignments for physical education have been created by our P.E. teacher and will be pushed out through a link provided in your child’s Google classroom. Please remember that the Principal’s Challenge is meant to be a fun way to connect. It is not part of the 20 minutes of subject assignments and is completely there for enjoyment!
Communication with Students and Families: Teachers will explain to their students how communication will be conducted in the future through email and Google Classroom. Students will be given instructions on how to access daily lessons, turn in assignments, and access teacher support. Teachers will notify both students and parents of their daily office hours.
Teacher Office Hours: Students and parents may have questions while they are learning remotely. Office hours are a great time to address any issues or celebrations students are having. Teachers will set daily office hours (times they will be available via email, phone or chat) and share them with parents and students.
Google Hangouts, Live Teaching and Posted Recordings: While teachers will post daily assignments, some may choose to use Google Hangouts, live teaching or posted recordings in addition to the posting of assignments. While many teachers may choose to add these virtual or video recorded formats to their distance learning opportunities, please keep in mind that these are not required to be used in our current District Learning Enrichment Opportunities Program.
Grading: Teachers will post daily distance learning activities for their classrooms. Not all assignments may be graded. Teacher selected assignments that are graded during distance learning opportunities can only maintain or enhance a student’s grade. Students will be held “harmless” for participating in these opportunities, and will not receive a lesser grade than their current grade, as of March 13, 2020. Any graded assignment from April 6, 2020 (the beginning of Distance Learning Opportunities) through the end of the school year can only serve to maintain or improve a student’s overall grade in the course. It is at a teacher’s discretion which assignments will be graded.
There has been so much new information in the last few weeks for all of us to have to process, but thank you for reading this letter. My hope is that the information shared has clarified the learning expectations and various aspects of our TVUSD Distance Learning Enrichment Opportunities Program. Please understand that in order to support our families, students, and teachers during this pandemic and the rapidly changing status of our education system, Our Distance Learning Enrichment Opportunities Program may be evolving with various changes and updates as we hear new information each and every day.
Finally, please do not be discouraged. We will patiently and graciously walk through these next few months together. Our entire ARES staff loves, cares for, and misses our students and parents! We are FAMILY.
Sincerely,
Natalie Waddell
ARES Principal