Cardinal Notes
information and reflection about Joseph Case High School
Volume 17, No. 2 *** September 11, 2020
AT LAST!! -- the Joseph Case High School 2020-2021 academic year
School begins for all Joseph Case High School students on Monday, September 14.
Students assigned to Cohort A begin in person on Monday, September 14, with Cohort B starting on Thursday, September 17.
Remote learning for Cohort C and Cohort B begins as well on Monday, with Cohort A being remote on Thursday.
All students are remote on Wednesdays. The Wednesday check-in schedule is below.
September 14 and 17 at Joseph Case High School (part 1)
On Day One, all freshmen should report directly to the auditorium. Students in grade 10 should go the cafeteria. Grades 11 and 12 will be in the Learning Commons. Students who drive to school should remain in their vehicles until 7:25 a.m.
At 7:30 a.m., students will be transitioned in phases by grade to their first period classes. This information will be available beginning September 14 using their Aspen X2 account. Students are responsible for checking their schedule in X2 to be aware of what their first period class is as well as its location.
A paper copy of the schedules will be available to all students in their first class on Monday and Thursday.
Students must be responsible for their own supplies. We will not supply pens and pencils on a regular basis.
September 14 and 17 at Joseph Case High School (part 2)
Day One schedules for September 14 and 17 are as follows for students on location at the high school. Each grade will receive orientation during the first two periods.
Period 1: 730-915
Period 2: 920-1045
Period 5: 1050-1240 (LUNCH)
1045-1110
1115-1140
1145-1210
1215-1235
Period 3: 1245-105
Period 4: 110-130
Period 6: 135-155
Period 7: 200-215
Remote students
Remote learning is part synchronous via Google Meet, but mostly an opportunity for self-directed learning. It is a pathway that it is facilitated by teachers to provide resources, but depends on a disciplined student to access and complete assignments in order to demonstrate mastery.
Remote students will be emailed their Google Classroom codes on Friday, September 11 so they can access their classes beginning Monday, September 14.
This pertains to Cohorts B and C.
Remote student Day #1 Check-in on Monday, September 14 and Thursday, September 17.
Period 1
800
Period 2
930
Period 5
1050-1240: Teachers will email their students as to which of these specific times to check in.
- 1055
- 1130
- 1200
- 1220
Period 3
100
Period 4
125
Period 6
145
Period 7
210
Students need to check in at these specific times in order to receive credit for attending each class. Part of remote learning is taking responsibility to log-in in advance so you are ready to begin the Google Meet at the scheduled time.
Remote students are expected to attend all classes virtually at these assigned times between 7:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Remote student materials
Day #2 and Beyond: Remote Check-in
Check-in times are mandatory and synchronous:
Period 1: 730 Period 2: 820 Period 3: 910 Period 4: 1000 Period 5: Teacher to email check-in time Period 6: 1240 Period 7: 130
Reviewing logistics for this year
Masks / Mask breaks
Since Period 5 provides some additional flex time, students will have a mask break and access lockers, if needed. An additional mask break in the morning will be conducted by teachers in their classrooms.
Before school:
If you drive to school, please stay in your vehicle until 7:25 a.m.
Students who take the bus will be assigned waiting areas.
If you drop off students, please do not drop off until 7:25 a.m.
Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria, but food can no longer be consumed in the classroom.
Students must access lockers before Period 1. Students will not have access to lockers until the lunch period.
During the class period:
Students are responsible for their own writing implement.
Student computers must come to school fully charged each day.
Students will wipe their own desks at the end of the period and throw away the wipe.
No food in the classroom. Water is allowed when consumed as advised in protocols.
Teachers will be checking in with the opposite cohort at some point during each period.
Student restrooms
Monitors are assigned to check-in students outside of passing periods.
We will start with a maximum of four students at a time in each restroom during school hours. Students must take the responsibility to self-regulate in these areas outside of the regular school day.
Transition to the next period
Classrooms will dismiss students to their next class in four phases during each transition.
All hallways are one way. Follow the arrows on the floor.
All stairways are one way.
No headphones or earpods during transition time.
Transitions, hallways and stairwells will be introduced during the morning on your student's first physical school day.
Lunch
There will be four lunch periods this year.
A five-minute pause between lunches will allow the cleaning of all tables in the cafeteria and Learning Commons between lunches.
Students will not be cleaning lunch tables, but are responsible for their personal trash.
Hot lunch and other options wll be available each school day. Details to follow.
End of the Day
- Student drivers
- Walkers
- Parent/Family pick-up
- First phase of buses
- Second phases of buses
- Any remaining buses
Families should agree on a place for student pick-up at the end of the day, whether in the rear of the building or on the east side of the campus near the faculty lot.
No parent/family members should plan on picking up students at the end of the day in the high school's front circle. This area is reserved for buses.
Regular school schedule
1: 730-815
2: 820-905
3: 910-955
4: 1000-1045
5: 1050 - 1240 (LUNCH)
1045-1110
1115-1140
1145-1210
1215-1235
6: 1240-125
7: 130-215
Wednesday schedule
Wednesday Check- In with All Cohorts
Period 1
800
Period 2
820
Period 3
840
Period 4
900
Period 5
920
Period 6
940
Period 7
1000
from Chartwells Food Service
Menus are posted on the website: https://swanseaschools.nutrislice.com/
Take home meals for remote learning days: Total: 3 breakfast meals and 3 lunch meals (all "free" at this time.)
- Cohort A: Take home meals will be available Tuesday afternoon (upon leaving) for the following Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday
- Cohort B: Take home meals will be available Friday afternoon (upon leaving) for the following Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday
Pick up days: For those who might not take home meals, we will plan two pick up days where families can drive up and staff will distribute:
Time: 3-4 p.m.
Location: Outside of Joseph Case HS
- Wednesday: 3 breakfast and 3 lunch meals for Remotes: Wed - Thursday: Cohort A
- Friday: 3 breakfast and 3 lunch meals for Remotes: Monday - Wednesday: Cohort B
And finally: why so little flexibility?
We cannot switch cohorts between A and B. Each switch results in a ripple effect that potentially displaces another students while straining the physical limits on the number of desks in any one space.
Smaller classes mean drastically less options for change.
The schedule has very little room for students to navigate between classes. Most received 100 percent of their course selections from the spring. Others selected pairings in half-year courses that were not compatible so they were placed in the few electives that had some room.
***
Education at Joseph Case High School begins an new epoch on Monday. There will be successes. There will be areas to iterate. School will never be the same as before March 13.
All stakeholders must be flexible, patient and exhibit grace. Those are key to an awesomely and truly NEW school year.
Cheers!
Brian McCann
Although we will entertain some drop/adds beginning September 21, there are not a lot of options because of all the additional constraints this year.
Whereas one person might think that they didn't elect this non-core course, I look at each class as an opportunity to stretch yourself in a way that you might not have initially chosen. Electives, for the most part, are either traditional or social science-based or are part of a liberal arts curriculum.
About Joseph Case High School
Website: www.swanseaschools.org
Location: 70 School Street, Swansea, MA, USA
Phone: 508-675-7483
Facebook: facebook.com/josephcasehs
Twitter: @josephcasehs