MP Middle Messenger
Special Edition - 3/16/2020
Keep updated while we are out!
-http://www.mpark.net will always be the most up to date source for all MPCS information.
-On twitter, follow @MPCSmcdade, @MPCSVA, @MPMiddle, and @MattSieloff
-Follow Manassas Park City Schools on Facebook
-Directly email teachers or Mr. Sieloff or Ms. Tickle (you can also email through Canvas!)
Week 28 - What do we need to do?
Parents: Your role is to establish a daily routine for your children. At school, we are HUGE believers and practitioners in routines and procedures for the entire school process, from everything that starts with getting onto the bus to every routine established in a classroom. The image below gives one plan for a "school" day at home due to COVID-19 closures. (Thank you to Ms. Everett for retweeting this over the weekend!) Having set times for waking up, completing work, doing chores, preparing and eating meals, and unstructured play time is essential. If you are working from home, these routines will also help you set structured "work time" where both you and your child can be quiet and focused on work. If you are still leaving to go to work, you can set goals for your child to achieve while you are out that can then be checked through video phone calls or when you get home.
TODAY - MONDAY: All students will be checking in with their teachers between 1 and 2 pm. If you can be there to help, we want students to log into Canvas and do a quick video chat with their teachers to check in and make sure everyone knows what to do. Please check in with their A day elective class teacher's Canvas course.
First Block class: 1:00-1:10
Second Block class: 1:15-1:25
Third Block class: 1:30-1:40
Fourth Block class: 1:45-1:55
Unless there is a class meeting, our starting plan is for students to work independently and communicate through Canvas and via email with their teachers. This is not a snow day!
Internet Access will be important! If your child can access the internet, they can do their schoolwork. This includes any/all forms of web browsing, from their MPCS issued device to a smart phone with data access (the Canvas app is on the Apple and Android stores and is excellent) and could even include using the web browser function in their video game systems, like Xbox or PlayStation. Be sure to monitor their work and working habits, as Canvas is extremely accessible through any internet connection. If you do not have internet, use this week as an opportunity to go through course work with your child in a public internet location before they shut down. Email your child's teachers right away and they will work to develop an offline solution for you to complete.
Finally: This is a completely unprecedented situation in our lifetimes. As a community we will be able to work through this - together. Please be patient, supportive, and creative in your efforts to help your kids get their work done and continue to develop as learners and readers. And if it comes to it, take care of health and family first, we can figure out school work after. Also please be understanding of a teacher's need to care for their families, just as we promise to be understanding of your families' needs.
As your principal, I promise do my best to communicate what's going on, and to be flexible and supportive. I hope that everyone can do the same in return.
Let's see what independent middle school online learning can be!
Matt Sieloff, Principal
Email: matt.sieloff@mpark.net
Website: mpark.net
Location: 8202 Euclid Avenue, Manassas Park, VA, USA
Phone: 703-361-1510
Twitter: @MattSieloff