Miner Mondays
Placerita Jr. High School - March 8, 2020
THERE IS VERY URGENT INFORMATION BELOW ABOUT SOME THINGS WE MUST DO... SO READ CAREFULLY
This Week at Placerita 3.8.2020
Welcome to week Nine of the Third Quarter!
Well… This week we have lost an hour with Daylight Savings Time; There is a full moon on Monday, the coronavirus is mysteriously growing and we have Friday the 13th at the end of the week… Whew!
Most importantly, this week we come to you with a very important message from our Superintendent, Mike Kuhlman, and our Director of Technology Services, Jon Carrino.
During multiple District level meetings late last week regarding efforts to be prepared for potential coronavirus related issues, the topic of distance / online learning was discussed as a way to possibly continue the education of our students in the event of short term school closures.
As we discussed ways to make this happen, it was recognized that Google Classroom was a tool ALL staff and students already have access to, which could be used by teachers to assign and collect work from students online. We discussed students without access to a device and the Internet at home, but felt this would be a tool which could be used to connect with a large majority of our students.
In order to be prepared for potential situations which may require schools to participate in short term distance / online learning, we need to ensure that ALL of our teachers and students have some level of exposure and training in the use of Google Classroom.
Our request is that each school site quickly develop a plan to use upcoming staff meetings, planned professional development time, department meeting time, and/or any other time that works for your site, to ensure all of your teachers have a basic level of understanding and the ability to use Google Classroom. This should include asking those teachers to use Google Classroom with their students to ensure students have been exposed and know how to access the platform at home as well. We should not assume that because they all have access, that they have used it before.
We recommend using existing Google Classroom teacher experts, Instructional Coaches, and/or Technology Coordinators at your sites, to identify and train those in need of this instruction.
Because we have no insight into how fast, wide spread, or even if the coronavirus will spread to our community, it is critical that this happen as soon as possible. We understand that will likely disrupt existing professional development plans, but we need to be as prepared as possible in the event of school closures.
Therefore, Donnie has been working this weekend on setting up the Google form below so we can determine who needs assistance in setting all our students up in Google Classroom for each of your classes. Depending on the need, we will determine whether we need to have a quick meeting after school on Wednesday to assist those in creating classes OR if Donnie and Liz could be available during prep periods on Wednesday to assist teachers in creating classes. We will determine by Monday afternoon which route we will take and let you know. All Teachers need to complete the Google form below to see where we are with training needs. Scroll through the entire form to complete. I know this is a big project to dive into; however, I know that you are all able to make this happen.
Other things on the Calendar this week:
Let's cheer on our KidFlix Kids along with Paul, Nancy and Baxter off on their trip to STN as they leave on Monday.
We have another Restaurant Night at Toppers on Tuesday Afternoon and Evening from 3:30-9:00 PM. Please go and support the Placerita Foundation.
Tuesday evening we also have our 6th grade parent Orientation night in two locations. The English version will be at the Hart Auditorium at 7:00 PM and the Spanish version will be in Tanner Hall at the same time.
We have a Districtwide Minimum Day on Thursday for Professional Development. All schools in the Hart District have a Minimum Day on Thursday of this week.
Don’t forget Daylight Savings time began this next weekend. Hopefully you sprang forward last night.
I know this week may be stressful getting all our students into Google Classroom but I know that You ALL can do it! Please reach out to Liz and Donnie and your Google Classroom experts in your department for help. I know we can get it done!
Link to Google Presentation
Use Donnie's Training above but here is more if you need...
Another example of Google Classroom Assistance
More Training if Needed
Training for Google Classroom from the Teacher Center
Don't Miss our Restaurant Night on Tuesday Night
Coming Soon to Placerita! March 31st and April 1st
Helping Students Return after Crisis
Corona Virus Video for Students
Important Dates for Parents
We will need your help with snacks for staff. We will send out Sign-up Genius forms for each event. April 17 is the only date remaining.
Placerita Parent Organization
Breakfast Meetings - Right after Drop-off in the morning in Tanner Hall.
One More in the Spring - March 18
Student of the Month Meetings for Selected Students (Parents Invited)
The only day remaining is May 1
Our Crisis Flyers are still functional
Important Upcoming Dates in March at Placerita
Department meeting week 3/9 All Week
STN Washington DC 3/9-3/16 Field Trip
ELD Meeting 3/10 3:45 - 5:15 Boardroom
District Wide Minimum Day 3/12 Release at Noon
Future Freshman Rally 3/17 8:00 AM Hart Auditorium
Seventh Grade Assemblies 3/17 Gym
Faculty Meeting 3/18 2:45 Library
End 3rd Quarter 3/20
Q4 Begins 3/23
Block Minimum Days (2,4,6 & 1,3,5) 3/25 - 26 Dpt and PD (El Framework)
PL Counselors/H.S. & Beyond Pres. 3/25 - 3/27 8th grade Science classrooms
DFY: Jr. High Youth Summit 3/27
Hart Counselors/8th grade Hart Regis, 3/30 - 4/2 All Day - 8th grade History Classrooms
6th Grade Matriculation Meetings 3/30 - 4/3 PCR
Placerita Jr. High School
The William S. Hart Union High School District prohibits unlawful discrimination against and/or harassment of any student on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status, ancestry, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or sexual orientation at any District site and/or activity.
Email: jturner@hartdistrict.org
Website: www.placeritajuniorhigh.org
Location: 25015 Newhall Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Phone: 661-259-1551
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1506369076295455/
Twitter: @placeritajhs