Peirce Remote Learning Update
April 5, 2020
Greetings Peirce!
So much has changed in our daily lives in a short period of time and I am sure there are a variety of feelings that each of you is experiencing. We are surrounded by uncertainty and the inability to create long term plans, so we live in the moment. Take a deep breath and remember that Peirce Staff and I are here for you as we make the change over to Remote Learning.
This email is intended to provide guidance on the Remote Learning Plan that is set to begin on Monday, April 13th. Spring Break is still scheduled for April 6th-10th - teachers are not preparing lessons, but families have the option to use any of the districts resources to keep students engaged. The remote learning plan is intended to be used through April 30th, but may continue if school is closed beyond April 30th.
Please know that Remote learning is NOT intended to make your lives or your children's lives stressful. If things are feeling like they are too much to handle, just let your teachers know - that is ok. If you are feeling like you need more for your children - communicate that to your child's teacher. All of this is new to all of us - we are doing the best that we can with what we have.
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this email to view a few of the many pictures tagged on social media with #peircestrong - thank you for participating!
Please reach out with any questions and enjoy the time that you have with family.
In Good Health & Spirit,
Lori Zaimi
Principal
#peircestrong
What are the school’s expectations for my child while learning at home?
During this time, the focus is to encourage students to stay engaged in academic activities and to reinforce learning on a daily basis. Routine, encouragement, and aligned expectations between families and teachers are important factors of academic engagement in your home learning environment.
What is the Remote Learning Plan and How do I access it?
Our teachers will provide their students with daily learning activities and will be available for at least four hours every day to keep students connected and engaged until school re-opens. Your child will also receive regular communication and feedback from their assigned teacher on learning activities.
- What does "be available for at least four hours every day to keep students connected and engaged until school re-opens" mean? This means that teachers will provide a combination of direct teaching hours, small group instructional opportunities, have pre-recorded videos made, be available for office hours, provide feedback to students, etc. The method that each teacher is utilizing varies based on the needs of the students.
- The "high level" remote learning plan can be found on the Peirce Website.
- Teachers will post weekly lesson plans by 8am on Monday Mornings beginning Monday, April 13th. Those plans can be found here. Please note that the lesson plan folders are not yet updated.
- Most teachers will still send a daily update - the weekly lesson plans are intended to share with parents a week at a glance so that you can plan your week in advance.
- Materials are also available for in-person pickup from 9am-1pm at the main entrance of the school if you or your child do not have easy access to a computer.
Technology
Please note that while the Remote Learning Plan begins on Monday, April 13th, CPS has asked for schools to distribute tech by April 20th. Peirce administration will be working on a tech distribution plan over Spring Break and will communicate once we know the dates that families can pick up technology.
Free Wi-Fi
Free internet access is available through AT&T, Spectrum, and Comcast. ISBE has listed these opportunities at www.isbe.net/keeplearning.
What communications and guidance can my child and I expect?
- All families should have received a personal phone call by Friday, April 3rd to review the classroom level Remote Learning Plan - we are fortunate to have approximately 3 Peirce staff assigned to every classroom - this is a combination of Classroom Teacher, Sp.Ed. Teachers, Sp.Ed. Classroom Assistants, Teacher Assistants, Lunch/Recess Coaches, Members of the School Admin Team, Office Staff and Security Staff.
- We are calling the above mentioned staff members "Advisors" - they will be checking in on families on a weekly basis and with parent permission, can speak to your child if there is a particular need that they have. These advisors will help connect families to school or community resources as appropriate.
- If you have not heard from someone at Peirce, please reach out to your child's teacher - there were voicemails left for some families who were unable to be reached.
Grading
Food Distribution
CPS has reduced the number of food distribution sites over Spring Break (April 6th-9th). There will be no food distribution on Friday, April 10th. Peirce is not a distribution site over Spring Break.
A detailed list of spring break meal sites is available here. The closest schools to Peirce are:
Armstrong, Clinton, Jordan, Kilmer & New Field
Beginning Monday, April 13th food distribution will continue at Peirce Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm.
Playworks - Recess Resources
Play at Home Webpage: A library of videos and other resources featuring games and activities families can play at home. Each meeting the CDC requirements of social distancing and limited equipment. All available free on the Play at Home webpage
Play at Home Playbook: This game guide has a variety of games and activities families can do in their own home, with little to no equipment necessary.
Live Virtual Recess: A Playworks Coach leading a morning warm-up, a midday game, and an afternoon cooldown each day. Anyone can tune into Facebook Live Monday- Friday at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm CT and play along.
#peircestrong
Thank you for participating in virtual spirit week! Here are a few of the many ways that the Peirce community is participating! Keep your social media tags coming and stay tuned for more videos and pictures from Peirce Staff!
COVID 19 Information
For the most reliable information about COVID-19, please visit:
Chicago Department of Public Health: http://www.chicago.gov/coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
Chicago Public Schools: https://cps.edu/coronavirus
If you need help locating medical care, please reach out to the CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness at oshw@cps.edu or by calling the Healthy CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437).
Administrators On Site
During the school closures, at least one administrator will be on site daily to help with any issues that families may be experiencing. Please know that you can reach out to any one of us if you or someone you know is experiencing some type of need.
Lori Zaimi, Principal LZaimi@cps.edu
Sam Lee, Assistant Principal, swlee@cps.edu
Kristen Munoz, Assistant Principal, kmmunoz2@cps.edu
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies
Email: lzaimi@cps.edu
Website: peirce.cps.edu
Location: 1423 W Bryn Mawr Chicago, IL
Phone: 773-534-2440
Facebook: facebook.com/peircecps