Adams School

Reopening Guide

Phase One

September, 2020

Languaje: English

Learning Models

School will begin on Monday, September 21, 2020

Remote Learning for ALL students.

Phase One of Reopening

This is a fully remote phase where all students will be learning from home. Please see the Reopening Guide below. Please read it carefully and share this information with your children.

If you have any questions or need support, please contact your teacher via email, TalkingPoints, The Adams School WhatsApp, or text 857-204-7234.

Phase two will begin in October, based on State Health regulations and depending on the model chosen by your family. We will continue to keep you informed on this website with our plans for this phase.

Remote Learning Only

Starts September 21st.

Learning from Home - 5 days a week

Hybrid Model

Beginning in October, depending on the model parent chose, the student's hybrid cohort, grade-level, and CDC guide.

Classes at the Adams School 2 days a week

Learning from Home - 3 days

Initial Plans

SY 2020-2021

The Boston Public Schools will begin the school year for all students on September 21st with remote instruction for all grades.

The schools will phase in the Hybrid Model starting October 1, 2020.

Remote Learning

During the first weeks, we must all know how to access and use the educational platforms that Boston Public Schools chose.

Google Classroom, Nearpod, Seesaw, Zoom

And establish contact with teachers through communication apps

Talkingpoints

Each week students in all grades will receive:

Live direct teaching (via ZOOM)
Indirect teaching (on educational platforms)
Daily morning meetings
Independent practice
Small group sessions
Office Hours/one on one instruction
Homework/additional practice

Social-Emotional learning opportunities will be embedded in all aspects of instruction. All instruction will consider our school values and be developmentally appropriate.

Materials

The Adams School will assign days for families to pick up school supplies children will need for remote learning. These will be distributed using social distancing.

All students will have a Chromebook

Students who received Chromebooks this spring, will keep them for the upcoming school year.
If the Chromebook is damaged or student has an older version, they will be replaced by the school.
Students who did not receive a Chromebook will receive a Chromebook in September.

If your child is experiencing problems with a Chromebook or other digital learning resources, contact your classroom teacher or any of the school support staff for assistance.

Tech Surveys

If you received a computer in the spring, but it is broken or lost, please fill out this survey:

Adams School Broken/Lost Device Survey

English: https://forms.gle/87uDt5KtC9PbsB417

Español: https://forms.gle/ibVLqKVG3VKtuRyL6

Portuguese: https://forms.gle/RTQWUWd3uif1yHaY9

Arabic: https://forms.gle/b4e8zW6BSy12vVA19

If you did not receive a computer from the Adams School in the spring, or you are new to the Adams, please fill out the survey in the link below:

Adams School New Device Request

English: https://forms.gle/1HtE7MVfj6UrZfTZ9

Español: https://forms.gle/LyV5YBSHritiZ6Wx5

Portuguese: https://forms.gle/X8sdgSwLuFRoZ3Vx5

Arabic: https://forms.gle/pPwYSuD4SFhVjagVA

Back Pack kit supplies will be delivered

A Backpack
A box of Colored Pencils, 12 Assorted Colors.
A Medium Glue Stick
Construction paper
A box Crayola® Classic Color Crayons, 12 crayons
A Sketch Book, 9" x 9", 40 Sheets
A pair of Scissors - Blunt-Tip
One Write & Wipe Lapboard (9" x 12")
Dry Erase Marker, Fine/Bullet Tip, Black
Handheld Manual Pencil Sharpener
Sticky Note Pads, 3x3,
Jump Rope 7'
Spiral Notebook
Pencils - 6
Two-Pocket Portfolios, Dark Blue, 25/BX

They may receive additional items based on grade-level and individual needs.

Save the Date for Material Pick Up

Wednesday Sep 16th, 3:30 - 6:30
Thursday Sep 17th, 12 - 2
Friday 18th 10-12

What do we expect from Families?

We want to emphasize to all parents that we understand the challenges you face as we deal with these unprecedented times.

Your child’s education is a shared responsibility, and you are being asked to play a greater role than ever before.

Our goal is 100% student participation. We are here to lead, guide, and support learning efforts at home. You are encouraged to reach out to the teachers with any questions and or concerns you may have.

Communication

In addition to using TalkingPoints with teachers, families will receive information by email, phone calls, and Whatsapp.

Please contact Family Coordinators at 857 204 7234

Parent Training

Technology trainings and workshops with ways you can support your child with their learning will be offered throughout the fall.

You can find videos and tutorials for you in: Adams' Parent Education web site.

Internet Access

If you need support with this, please contact our Family Coordinators at 857 204 7234

The City of Boston is working with Comcast to provide Internet to families for $ 10.00 a month.

Comcast will provide FREE internet to BPS families.
- SSN NOT required. Click here to see Acceptable forms of ID.
- Call/apply online and receive a self-install kit
- https://www.internetessentials.com/apply
- No installer fee if assistance is requested after the kit is sent.
- No form of payment is collected during registration
1-Million-Project hotspots are available if a family can not receive Comcast
Verizon Jetpacks usage has been extended. You can keep using your Verizon hotspot.

Today more than ever, your child's education is a shared responsibility

Our goal is 100% student participation.

Create a Schedule

Get your child involved in setting the schedule, expectations, and goals. Ask them what they have been assigned or what they would like to learn.

Include breaks, time outdoors, meals, and social time. Everyone, including children, need unstructured times.

Review our Remote Learning Plan

Be Realistic

This is a stressful time for all of us; it is more important to have peace of mind than getting anxious over not completing a task.

Support your Child

Sometimes, it takes a little bit of time to get used to learning online. Support your child the best you can when getting started. Then step back and let them learn!

Distraction-free environment

If possible, have your child to work at a desk or table with a chair.

Have an age-appropriate Bed Time

In order to be focused, on time, and ready to work in the morning at 7:30 am.

Expectations for Using ZOOM

All teachers will be using ZOOM for Live Learning.

Please follow the expectations provided below.

1. Show up on time and be prepared for learn.

Log into Zoom on their Chromebook at the start of each block on their schedule.
Be prepared with any needed materials and ready to learn according to their at-home checklists.
Teachers will take attendance.

2. Mute your microphone immediately.

As soon as you log into the platform, mute your microphone. This will prevent any excess background noise.
Your microphone should only be unmuted to speak after your teacher calls on you (just like raising your hand to talk in class) or when they open the class up for open discussion.

3. Everyone is visible in a ZOOM Class.

Students don’t have to wear uniforms, but all participants should wear appropriate clothing, including a shirt and shorts/pants.
You should have your laptop in a quiet space of your home with no distractions (all background noises such as adult conversations, television, and radio can be heard on zoom) but not in a bathroom or other inappropriate setting.
Video remains on at all times.
You may use virtual backgrounds if you do not want to show your house or other family members in the background.

4. Focus and engage.

It is easy to get distracted on your computer or your cell phone. Remember that this is class. You are responsible for the material presented in class.
Keep your video on and do not navigate to other tabs or web pages unless directed by your teacher.
Make sure that the teacher is your main screen. If needed, you can pin the teacher to be the main focal point to ensure that you do not get distracted by your peers.

5. Respect yourself and others.

Do not take screenshots, pictures, etc of your teacher or fellow students.
Do not make any audio or video recordings.
These behaviors violate our Boston Public Schools’ Technology, Internet Safety, and Social Media Acceptable Use Policy and will result in disciplinary action.

6. Support one another and respect the virtual classroom.

Students should not interfere with their teacher’s instruction and/or their classmates’ learning.
This means that during the class, you do not use the chat to communicate unless you have a question about the class material, or use annotate tools unless your teacher has asked you to do so.
The Zoom classroom is just like your in-person classroom, and we must act the same way.

Don't forget these rules!

Sample Schedule for Remote Learning

Parents' Questions during the Family Huddle

Cohorts

I would like to know if for example we have two children. Are they going to be in the same group (A) or (B) even if they are from two different grades?

Yes, Students will be in the same cohort.

For cohort assignments - will you arrange these days with siblings? -

If siblings are linked in the system, the district is trying to make this happen.

Health and Safety

Are the children going to receive any training at school for social distancing and the use of disinfectants?

Yes, teachers will be trained on this next week.

Technology

To make sure the Chromebook is updated, how can we tell if it is new or old?

Check for updates

Turn on your Chromebook.
Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi.
At the bottom right, select the time.
Select Settings .
At the bottom of the left panel, select “About Chrome OS”.
Under "Google Chrome OS," you'll find which version of the Chrome operating system your Chromebook uses.
Select Check for updates.
If your Chromebook finds a software update, it will start to download automatically.

Check out the link for more info: https://bit.ly/2RgHF2N

How do I get a Chromebook?

If you are a new BPS student, please wait for the BPS email for the pickup appointment at one of the neighborhood locations.

If you have a broken/lost device, please fill out the Adams Broken/Lost Device Survey:

English: https://forms.gle/87uDt5KtC9PbsB417

Español: https://forms.gle/ibVLqKVG3VKtuRyL6

Portuguese: https://forms.gle/RTQWUWd3uif1yHaY9

Arabic: https://forms.gle/b4e8zW6BSy12vVA19

If you need a chromebook and didn't receive one in the spring, please fill out the Adams School New Device Request:

English: https://forms.gle/1HtE7MVfj6UrZfTZ9

Español: https://forms.gle/LyV5YBSHritiZ6Wx5

Portuguese: https://forms.gle/X8sdgSwLuFRoZ3Vx5

Arabic: https://forms.gle/pPwYSuD4SFhVjagVA

* If you wish to receive surveys in other language or have other questions, please contact the Adams Tech Coordinator at pyu@bostonpublicschool.org

If we have one of those old device models, do we still need to complete the form for broken or stolen devices?

No, the district will communicate. However, you may expedite getting a new one if you fill out a form.

If our student has to transfer out of the district because of family relocation, can we return the Chromebook to the office at Adams or is there a designated drop off spot?

You can return it to Adams. Please call ahead.

School Instruction

When and how can we get in contact with the teacher ?

Class lists were sent out on Wednesday via email. The teacher name and email information was included. You can email the teacher. The teacher will also be reaching out to you in the next week.

Will the students still get to see their teacher live in September or do they have to wait till November?

This will depend on the numbers and social distancing guidelines.

Do children have to wear uniforms?

When students come to school, they should wear a uniform. Please visit STARS Apparel to order a uniform.

Regarding simultaneous learning: Can you give us a preview of what a session is supposed to look like?

Here are a couple of videos that demonstrate what it looks like.

What is the plan for keeping the at home student engaged during the simultaneous sessions?

In teacher training we have been discussing the value of small groups. Data shows that the shorter lessons and more small groups keep children more engaged. We have also purchased Nearpod and Seesaw to support engagement.

Just to confirm the remote learning will be via live classroom?

Yes, unless the City of Boston goes above 4% in positive rates and we will all be back home.

Will the office be open during Online only learning or not until hybrid learning starts and kids are back in classrooms?

Office is open. We may be closed on the heavy cleaning days, (Wednesday). This will be communicated.

Special Education

How is going to be the inclusion for kids with autism in the classroom?

We are working with ABA specialists to ensure that we have supports for our students in inclusion classroom. Teachers are working on Social Stories and supports to engage.

Will students who present sensory issues and refuse to wear masks lose their iep mandated services?

No. IEP services are mandated.

If not too much to ask, there are many specific questions regarding special education. Could we have a separate zoom meeting for these families?

We will have a SPED meeting on Thursday, September 17th at 5:00 pm.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://k12-bostonpublicschools.zoom.us/j/89124471560?pwd=OUNLa0tiOGo1OGd0NVQrYkZObS9Ndz09

Meeting ID: 891 2447 1560

Passcode: 706195

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