Osprey Weekly
Welcome Back-Edition August 26, 2020
Welcome Back Messages from the LES Teachers and Staff
We know this school year is not beginning as we all wish. Our teachers and staff are preparing to make wonderful connections with all our students starting on Monday, August 31st.
Teacher Assignments
To view your child’s teacher assignment, you will need to log in to Home Access Center (HAC). You will need to have your username and password to access Home Access Center (HAC). The school office cannot provide you with your password. To reset your password, you will need to click on the “Forgot My Username/Password” link in HAC to reset your information. Please note, the email you have on file with the school is where the reset link will be sent. To access HAC, you may click here https://www.smcps.org/hac to be taken to the sign in portal.
Students will have a full schedule of classes, including English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health and Specials (Art, PE, Media and Music)
Virtual Open House
New Information
Instructional Materials and Technology
We will be distributing some instructional materials to ALL students next week August 31st. This will also include any available technology. You will receive an email confirmation if you are assigned to pick up technology.
Procedures for Picking Up Instructional Materials and Technology
Due to the current restrictions related to COVID 19, we will be distributing instructional materials and technology in a specific fashion. Please follow all instructions and times.
Admitted Pre-Kindergarten parents/students will be contacted when a device and instructional materials are ready for pick up.
Note: Unless you have received a confirmation email to pick up technology, there will not be a device available for you at this time. We are working to get more devices and will send you a confirmation once it is ready for pick up.
- You may pick up ONLY during the time frame in which your grade level has been assigned (unless you have contacted the school. See schedule below).
- Enter the bus loop. Please have your sign ready with your student(s) first and last name written large enough so the staff member can see it. If you are picking up for multiple students, please list the name of all your students.
- Please be patient as we may be busy, but please know that we will move as fast as we can to keep the line moving.
- The staff member will direct you to proceed forward toward the tables on the sidewalk (tables will be under the awning if it is raining). The runner will bring your students’ materials and place it on the table where you can then pick the device up and proceed back to your car.
- If you are walking up to pick up a device, please be sure to wear a mask, practice social distancing of 6 feet, and let a staff member know the grade, teacher name, and your student’s last name. Wait along the awning and a runner will retrieve your students’ materials and bring it to you.
Please do not hesitate to call 301-475-0250 Ext. 31101 or email cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org if you have questions!
Internet Update
The process for selecting which families will receive mobile hotspots will involve a review of broadband service availability by address, student and family need, and availability of hotspots across the school system. With the recent approval from the County Commissioners, the district will purchase the hotspots; however, there are no guarantees that hotspots will be available for every family. The link for the county webpage for availability is here. https://www.stmarysmd.com/it/Broadband/Default.aspx
A more detailed plan for prioritizing and distributing the hotspots is under development. In the meantime, if you do not have internet access at your home, students can access free wifi from the parking lot of any St. Mary's County Public School building as well as the county libraries. The county libraries also offer check-out of wifi hot spots.
Schoology Opens for Students on August 29th
Here are some helpful resources.
Visit the SMCPS Schoology page for students, parents, and guardians.
Make use of the Tech Help & these helpful videos.
Update Student Email Logins
Student email addresses are used to log in to Schoology and other SMCPS vetted resources.
Our students may require your support to log in as there has been a change from last year. Please review the [LINK to] Remote Learning Login Instructions to help you navigate this process.
All students will need to update their email address login information before they will be able to get into "Schoology" through the "Clever" button.
Info About Live Lessons
Each live session on Google Meets with a teacher will be recorded. The recording will then be shared on your student’s Schoology course so that students who missed the live session will be able to watch the recording and/or students can refer back to the recording as needed. If you do not wish for your student’s video or voice to be recorded then the following steps must be taken each time your student is in Google Meet.
To turn off the video of your student press the video camera button once to turn it off. It will appear red with a slash through it (see the image below). To turn off the microphone of your student press the microphone button once to turn it off. It will appear red with a slash through it (see the image below). If you want your student’s video turned back on or want to turn on the microphone for them to speak press the button once and it will turn it back on.
Web and Video Conferencing Guidelines
To ensure safeguards and appropriate use:
Parents/guardians should be mindful of what family activities would potentially be heard/seen during the students' use of video conferencing. This is a great tool to keep students connected, but please have your students use these tools somewhere near enough to you so that you can monitor, yet private enough to concentrate on their work.
Please have students dress appropriately when video conferencing and make sure that there are no distracting materials or backgrounds.
Teachers may record non-confidential video conferencing sessions and post them for students who cannot attend the live session. There may be some sessions a faculty member may want to record about specific instructional group activities. We want and need our faculty to be efficient and effective when covering material or providing reinforcement. Therefore, here are some guidelines about recordings:
These recordings will not be publicly available, only shared within the Schoology, a similar section of the same class, or within the SMCPS Google domain that requires a network account.
Faculty will announce their intention to record the session allowing students/parents/guardians to turn off their camera and/or microphone if privacy is of concern.
Students/parents/guardians should not take photos, screenshots, record any video, or audio, from these conference sessions. You do not have permission to do so, and it is a violation of our Acceptable Use Policy.
Rules of conduct and behavior will apply the same as if in the classroom. The SMCPS Code of Conduct and all existing Board of Education policies and SMCPS regulations continue to apply.
School Counselors may meet virtually one on one with a student without parental consent for minor day to day support that enables students to be academically successful (i.e., academic planning, peer conflict, problem-solving, single session support, etc. ). At the elementary level and when developmentally appropriate at the secondary level, counselors will coordinate with the parent to schedule a student session with their counselor. These services are the virtual equivalent to the support generally provided to all students when they are physically in the school building. All emergency-based services will be provided, as indicated in policy and regulations. Parental consent will be obtained for students needing ongoing intensive counseling support.
If you have questions or concerns about your student's use of online tools, please contact cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org.
Meal Services
Meal Services
Meal service begins on August 31, 2020, at all school sites! Pre-orders and same-day pickup are available. Please note that guardians need to know their student's ID number and wear a mask to pick up meals! Visit https://t.co/dOp40UPfwTfor menus and to pre-order meals! #SchoolLunch https://t.co/emFjDpR96t
(https://twitter.com/SMCPS_Food/status/1295359728239820802?s=03)
LES Office Open by Appointment Only
Please Take and Save Back to School Pictures
Information Worth Repeating
Learning at Home Tips
Below are some tips that you may find helpful or useful as you prepare your child for this year of learning. We recognize that all families are at a different place at this time in terms of school readiness, but for those of you who are curious as to ways you can support your child, we have compiled a beginning list for you.
- Provide a designated learning space for your child. This will help your child with understanding that school is important. If your child has their own area that is strictly for their schooling, they are less likely to be distracted and it will help your child get in the zone for learning. This can be a small table, a small tv tray, a corner table in a kitchen, etc. Please do whatever works best for you, however, we recommend that this area has a “permanent” spot in the house.
- Within the designated space, have organized items that your child will be able to find, put away and use. This will allow students to work in their area without needing to leave it to find needed materials.
- Schoolbox or bin for crayons, pencils, scissors, glue and markers.
- Headphones are helpful to avoid distractions to others AND they will block out distractions from the house.
- Small whiteboard or thick paper in sheet protectors and black expo markers. Often teacher will ask your child to hold up their work and paper can be hard to see in an online format.
Attendance and Grading
Absence Reporting
Important Upcoming Dates
- 27-28 'Virtual Welcome Back Orientation' with the Teacher via Google Meets (code to join will be sent by the teacher)
- 31 First Day of School
- 31 'Pre-K Virtual Orientation' with the Teacher via Google Meets 9:30 a.m. (Pre-K AM students only) AND 1:30 p.m. (Pre-K PM students only) (code to join will be sent by the teacher)
- 31- September 4 Grade Level Instructional Materials Distribution
September
- 7 No School-Labor Day
- 8-14 Grade Level Instructional Materials Distribution (if needed)
- 24 Early Dismissal Day
- 25 No School for Students
Leonardtown Elementary School
We're Here to Help You!
Greg LaCount, Assistant Principal
Shawnna White, Principal's Secretary
Marie Ventrone, Records Secretary
Email: cfquickmcqueen@smcps.org
Website: schools.smcps.org/les
Location: 22885 Duke Street, Leonardtown, MD, USA
Phone: 301-475-0250
Twitter: @les_smcps