Dear Parents and Guardians,
Dr. Dionisio shared a message Thursday evening explaining that our school district will be closed for students on Monday, March 16, 2020, and Tuesday, March 17, 2020, for professional development for our faculty to finalize their instructional plans for online teaching & learning. Remote learning via home instruction for students will begin on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
The school district will implement a “Remote Learning Schedule” for our elementary, middle and high school students and staff to provide consistency on a daily basis (see schedules below).
Remote Learning Schedule – Elementary
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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (inclusive of a one hour lunch/recess) |
Mathematics |
60 minutes daily |
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Language Arts (Reading, Writing, other literacy related assignments) |
80 minutes daily |
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Social Studies/ Science |
60 minutes weekly |
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PE |
30 minutes daily |
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World Language (Grades 1-4) |
30 minutes weekly |
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Library |
30 minutes weekly |
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Music |
30 minutes weekly |
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Art |
45 minutes weekly |
Some elementary classroom teachers will communicate with their students using Google Classroom while others will communicate using email, pre-distributed packets, and/or other classroom materials that will be distributed ahead of time. The elementary specialists may use a Google Classroom or compile activities and assignments via email. Our K-4 special education teachers will provide students with appropriate materials and means of parent contact via mail and/or email.
Remote Learning Schedule – HBW & VHS
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10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
Period 1: 10:00 – 10:30 |
30 minutes |
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Period 2: 10:30 – 11:00 |
30 minutes |
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Period 3: 11:00 – 11:30 |
30 minutes |
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Period 4: 11:30 – 12:00 |
30 minutes |
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12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
Lunch |
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1:00 – 3:00 p.m. |
Period 5: 1:00 – 1:30 |
30 minutes |
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Period 6: 1:30 – 2:00 |
30 minutes |
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Period 7: 2:00 – 2:30 |
30 minutes |
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Period 8: 2:30 – 3:00 |
30 minutes |
The HBW and VHS Teachers will communicate with their students using Google Classroom as well as district email. Our 5-12 special education teachers will provide students with appropriate materials and means of parent contact via mail and/or email.
During each 30 minute period, the students will be expected to work on an assignment posted by the teacher. The teacher will be available to answer student questions during this time. Listed below are several examples of the different types of delivery of instruction and in-class assignments:
- 5 minutes of a screencast plus 25 minutes of questions,
- 15 minutes of synchronous video meeting with accompanying assignment that takes 15 minutes to complete,
- 10 minutes of reading passage with 20 minutes of questions,
- 30 minute document-analysis activity,
- 8 minute topical YouTube Video followed by 22 minute assignment,
- Two 10 minute simulation activities followed by 10 minutes of synthesis.
Additional “Homework” Assignments that are beyond the expected minutes per day (10:00 to 3:00 p.m.) will be limited to 15 minutes of independent work time each day per class. All assignments will be posted by teachers in the Google Classrooms by 9:30 a.m. each day. Teachers will be flexible and reasonable on due dates for assignments. Communication with the student is essential for success during remote learning.
It is the district expectation that instruction and assessment should be closely linked. The initial recommendation for a brief school closure (10 days) is to focus on formative assessment – “checking for understanding.” If these formative assessments are formally graded, then they will not be worth the very large point total that is typically reserved for end-of-unit summative assessments.
In the case of an extended or indefinite school closure, summative assessments will certainly become necessary. The details of summative assessments will be established collaboratively with teachers and administration and will then be shared with students with adequate notice.
Students previously receiving Home Instruction will continue as scheduled. Students and home instruction teachers will access assignments via Google Classroom and/or email from the instructor. Home instructors will provide support to the student via video or phone. School Counselors will be conducting all previously scheduled parent conferences via phone. They will also be available for additional phone conferencing as needed. Please request these additional conferences via email.
Child Study Team members will be conducting all previously scheduled IEP meetings via phone. They will also be available for additional phone conferencing as needed. Please request these additional conferences via email. Therapists (i.e. OT, PT) will be sharing information via email and/or Google Classroom. They will also be available for additional phone conferencing as needed. You will be receiving specific directions via email from your child’s therapist.
Students who do not have access to a technology wireless device will have the opportunity to borrow a device (Chromebook) from the Verona Technology Department. The district will be providing hotspots to the families of students without WiFi access. If there is a tech issue, please email our Technology Department at [email protected].
If a parent or guardian has a question for a staff member, please email the individual and the staff member will respond to your question within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.
We thank you for your support and understanding during this unique time. Working together, we will provide a remote learning environment experience that will be successful while keeping everyone safe. Please be patient as more information will be forthcoming in the near future. If you have any other questions, please contact your building principal. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Charles R. Miller
Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
