Ferson Creek eNews
November 20, 2020
From the Principal...Kristy McKnight
Yesterday marked 60 days of in-person instruction. When I met with staff yesterday, we spent our time celebrating our successes throughout those 60 days. While a shift in our learning environment may not be what we were hoping for, I am confident that the remote environment will still be warm, inviting, challenging, and fun for your children. The staff has worked so hard to create the best learning environment as we started the year, and I know they will do the same as the school year continues.
Next week brings a much needed break. I know we are all ready for a little relaxation and Thanksgiving feasting. Enjoy your family time!
Take care,
Kristy
Remote Learning Update
Dear Families,
Between Monday, November 30 and Friday, December 18, students in all District 303 schools and programs will be learning in remote environments. Our staff members and administrators worked tirelessly over the summer and fall to enhance remote learning to ensure that students have access to positive, meaningful learning experiences. You will notice that remote learning is different from what your child may have experienced in the spring. We encourage parents to provide students with a consistent working environment where they have access to technology and other learning materials. If your child will be absent from a remote learning day, please email the teacher and call the school office prior to the start of the school day.
Below you will find information about expectations, schedules, and specials during remote learning.
Student, Family, and Teacher Expectations
Elementary school hours will be between 8:00 a.m. and 1:40 p.m. Students are expected to be available and ready to learn during those hours, whether the learning is synchronous or asynchronous
As with in-person learning, students are expected to complete assigned work by the deadlines set by the teachers
We ask that parents allow students to work independently or in collaboration with their teacher and classmates as much as possible
Teachers will provide a weekly schedule that provides synchronous and asynchronous learning times.
Specials and Lunch
Students in grades 1-5 will have a 30-minute daily special (art, music, physical education and LRC). The remote special schedule will be the same as the in-person schedule, with lessons being both synchronous and asynchronous. The special teacher will share the schedule with the students.
Kindergarten students will continue to access 15-30 minutes of asynchronous specials each day.
Students will have a 40-minute lunch break on the same schedule as they had during in-person learning. Student lunch times are based on grade level so your children may have different lunch times.
Instructional Technology Support for Families Explanation
Families can find support for all of their technology needs on our Instructional Support for Families website. This website can be found on our district.d303.org page D303 Technical Support Resources. See below for some of the resources:
If you need IT support, technical assistance, device exchange, etc. please click on IT Direct Support.
For Chromebook troubleshooting, click on Using D303’s Chromebook.
For information on Seesaw, Google Classroom, and/or Schoology, click on the Learning Platforms support.
For information on our video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Schoology Conferences, click on Video Conferencing Tools.
For support on any of the tools the teacher may use in the classroom, click on Digital Tools for Instruction.
Please see the Instructional Delivery Models document on the District website for sample schedules and expectations of all members of the learning community. We appreciate your partnership.
Ferson Office Hours
Book Checkout During Remote Learning
Please click here for directions regarding checkout for 3rd - 5th grade students.
Please click here for K-1st grade checkout directions.
iReady Test Window
Ferson is Thankful!
3rd & 5th Grade CogAT Update
With the recent decision to move to remote learning for all students November 30 through December 18, CogAT makeup testing will need to be rescheduled. Should we be able to return to in-person learning in January, we will work with the buildings to establish a testing window for that month. Should students not be able to test in January, students can take the test during the summer. At this time we have two weeks planned to administer the CogAT in the summer, July 19-23, 2021 and August 2-6, 2021. If necessary, we can plan for a June session as well.
There is no advantage or disadvantage to students taking it at a later date as we use the standard age score, which is calculated using the age of the student at the time that they are taking the test. Please note that students who are currently placed in AT math and/or AT Literacy do not need to requalify for middle school, so a new CogAT score is not needed for continued placement in the student’s current program. It is needed if they would like to be considered for the Infinity program.
Virtual Ferson Family Art Night!
Led by Erin Livermore of All Things Art Studio, you and your family can take part in a virtual winter themed canvas art class.
Please click here to view the flyer for additional details.View the sample project below!
STC North - National Art Honor Society
The calendars will come in CD cases for desktop display and are a perfect holiday gift for friends and family! They are $10.00 each, and 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Lazarus House.
A poster containing all of the artwork is pictured below.
If you are interested in supporting both local art and people in need, you can order via PushCoin OR if you prefer to pay by check, contact Emma Fang at emma28730@gmail.com by December 13th. You can mail a check to Sally Vincent C/O St. Charles North High School (255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles, IL 60175), made out to the school.
Directory Spot
DirectorySpot is ready for use! You must update your contact info every year in order to be included in the directory. Please take a minute to complete the form to be included in the directory.
Please provide your family's permission and information here: https://tinyurl.com/FersonDirectory20-21
DirectorySpot: www.directoryspot.net
iPhone: http://goo.gl/5U2Tzq
Android: http://goo.gl/iBK9lY
Questions about DirectorySpot? Email FersonCreekPTO@gmail.com .
#D303thankful
It is the time to be thankful!
Even in the current pandemic, there is so much to be thankful for in District 303. There are three ways that you can contribute to our #D303Thankful Campaign.
- Write a note of appreciation to a staff member. You may download and print our notecard template linked here or create a note of your own to share.
- Participate in our social media campaign by sharing a picture or thought using the hashtag #D303Thankful.
- Share a story, note of appreciation, or photo on Let’s Talk using the D303Thankful button.
UPCOMING DATES
- Thanksgiving Break: Monday, November 23rd - Friday, November 27th
- Remote Learning for All Grades: Monday, November 30th - Friday, December 18th
- Report Cards Available on HAC: Wednesday, December 2nd
- Winter Break : Monday, December 21st - Friday, January 1st
- Teacher Work Day - No Students: Monday, January 4th
- School Resumes: Tuesday, January 5th
Ferson Creek Elementary
Website: https://fersoncreek.d303.org/
Location: 38W160 Bolcum Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: 331-228-2300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ferson-Creek-Elementary-1492773537612187/