The Wildcat Chat
What's Happening at Willard Next Week? | April 3, 2020
New This Week
Lunch Location Change at JCHS
Our Library Offers Spring Break Virtual Tours
Join us in celebrating National School Library Month this April. Each week during the month of April, we will be sharing an engaging activity or game suitable for the whole family. This week, you may take a virtual road trip around the United States. You will be able to explore the depths of a volcano, swim with sea otters, and gaze at the Milky Way. We would love to know all about your virtual road trip, so be sure to share your experience with us here, once it’s complete. Click here for our Spring Break Virtual Road Trip.
For questions or comments, please reach out to librarians Crissy Casey (crissy.casey@lcps.org) and Michelle Yalavarthi (michelle.yalavarthi@lcps.org).
Technical Support for Students (Update)
- Submit an incident through the Support Center website (http://supportcenter.lcps.org),
- Email your technical question to supportcenter@lcps.org, or
- Call the Technology Support Center at (571) 252-2112
The Technology Support Center will be staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
UPDATE: In addition, DDI is expanding services to include a temporary, hands-on Hardware Repair Center from now until April 10, 2020. This service is for LCPS issued chromebooks and staff laptops that have sustained damage or have issues that cannot be fixed remotely. To set up an appointment, please visit https://bit.ly/DDI-REPAIR.
Counselor Supports Continue
Our counseling department is doing amazing work during this especially challenging time. They remain focused on providing mental health supports, academic advising and instruction, collaboration, and consultation. To read about the services available for Wildcat scholars, please click here.
William & Mary "At Home Learning" Seminar
Has the current school closure created new challenges at home for you and your learners? Join experts, from the William & Mary School of Education, for an informative and interactive conversation designed to help you support your students at home. On Friday, April 3, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., a panel of six faculty members will present tips and resources for the following areas: math, reading, creativity and screen time, science and problem-solving, social & emotional well being, and supporting students with special needs. Click here to attend.
Distance Learning 101
Distance learning is a new way of learning for all of us, but we have an opportunity to take on this challenge. We would recommend doing the following, as you approach learning in this new way:
1. Set a Daily Schedule & To-Do List: Take time each Monday to review your assignments for the week and plan out what you need to accomplish each day.
2. Check Google Classroom & Your School G-mail Account: Please try to check these daily, so you have the latest information. Reach out to your teachers, via e-mail, if you have questions. Remember, copy your parents on any e-mail communication.
3. Practice Time Management: It can be challenging to stick to a schedule, but set small goals each day in order to do so. For example, if you finish an assignment, treat yourself to a 10 minute exercise break.
4. Create a Workspace: If you have a space that you are comfortable in, you can achieve anything! Make sure you have all of your supplies with you, while you work!
5. Maintain Healthy Habits: This is a great time to exercise, read, and mediate. Your well-being is important to us, so keep it healthy!
Special Note: We will be providing a detailed newsletter connected to distance learning in the coming week, so be on the lookout!
LCPS COVID-19 Updates
Loudoun County Public Schools continues to update our COVID-19 Preparedness Page with answers to our families' questions. Most recently, we released answers to frequently asked questions, which can be found here. Thank you for your immense support, Loudoun families!
See the World, One Virtual Tour at a Time
Many of the great wonders of the world are currently offering virtual tours. Our Wildcats can access the The National Cherry Blossom Festival by clicking here. In addition, who doesn't love pandas? The Panda Cam at Zoo Atlanta is bringing joy to all of those who stop in for a glimpse of the pandas in action. It's definitely worth a look here. If you are looking to go under water, visit the Georgia Aquarium's Ocean Voyager Cam; tons of marine life may be viewed.
Permission Click Update
Throughout the distance learning experience, teachers will be using several online applications to support students. In order to streamline the process, we have created one digital permission form that covers all school-wide applications.Terms of Service Agreements and the Privacy Policy for each application is linked within the form for your review. Please review each title and complete this permission form, if you did not do so at the beginning of the school year. If you have any questions please contact our Instructional Facilitator, Kathy Rush at kathy.rush@lcps.org.
Yearbook Update
Students who purchased a yearbook for the 2019-2020 school year will receive it. However, the Herff Jones Production Plant, in Kansas City, is currently closed. As we gather more information about the expected production dates, we will share how we will distribute them. Thank you for purchasing this literary gem!
Yearbook QuaranTEENed Survey
UMHT Resources Available
The Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT) has worked hard to make sure resources are accessible to families during this time. Resources that are available may be found here.It contains contacts for mental health resources for each school and available community resources for basic needs, stress and anxiety, and mental health and crisis counseling. In addition, if you are uncertain about the best approach for supporting your child’s mental health needs during the school closure, please feel free to reach out to our Willard Mental Health team at WillardMentalHealthlcps.org@lcpsorg.onmicrosoft.com.
Willard Library eBooks Are Available
Free Ways to Take in a Good Book
During this challenging time, Audible is providing access to audiobooks for elementary, tween, and teen students. Visit audible.com/stories to access these literary gems! In addition, famed writer and illustration, Oliver Jeffers, has launched Stay at Home Story Time. He will read some of his most amazing picture books. Click here to learn more.
LCPS Continuity of Education Launches
LCPS is providing continuity of education through the development of learning experiences that are consistent with the curriculum. Until Friday, March 30, the emphasis in these experiences is on reinforcing skills and knowledge that have been previously taught. Learning experiences may begin including new skills and knowledge that have not previously been taught after this date.
Our Department of Instruction has developed a comprehensive website, Continuity of Education. This interactive resource provides both online and offline learning opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students. Please take the time to look at this valuable resource. Also, please know that further information surrounding instruction will be provided in the coming days.
"Go Wild for Reading" Challenge
Reading is one of the best ways to travel to new worlds. During this time, we challenge you to take in a good book. Many of these delightful gems, listed below, are available online through the Loudoun County Public Library. What could be better than that? Happy Reading, Scholars!
Note: Want a larger copy of the reading chart listed below? Click here.
Library Resources Are Available
“Level-Up" Course Change Requests Go Electronic
Recently, we completed our course selections for the 2020-2021 school year. Some of our scholars expressed a desire to challenge themselves with a level of rigor higher than that which was recommended. Given this, students have an opportunity to submit a Level-Up Success Reflection and Preparation Form, which will allow for a course change to occur. In order for such a request to be honored, students need to do the following:
Step 1: Please contact the recommending teacher via email to understand the basis of their recommendation for you and the rigor involved in the requested course.
Step 2: If you would still like to make a change after reviewing your teacher’s feedback, Complete the Google Form titled Level-Up Success Reflection and Preparation Form.
Electronic signatures will be used in lieu of physical ones. Your counselor will update your course request to include the requested course. In addition, the counselor will email you, your parents, and your current teacher a confirmation upon successful processing.
*Note: Previously submitted forms will be honored. For students who wish to level-down in a core content course, parents may send an email directly to his/her assigned counselor.
Resources for Loudoun Families
Order Your Lightridge Gear Today!
Get an early start on showing your Lightridge school spirit. Spirit wear is on sale now via the following link: https://lightridgelightning.itemorder.com/sale
Resources for a Great School Year
Connect with Us
Email: jeff.rounsley@lcps.org
Website: lcps.org/willard
Location: 40915 Braddock Road, Aldie, VA, USA
Phone: (571)367-4040
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillardLCPS
Twitter: @WillardLCPS