As of now, DCSD does not anticipate the need for remote learning, synchronous classes. However, if plans change, we will update HERE with links, a schedule, and expectations. This would include any schedule changes for online learning, a document that houses all of the teacher's schedules and livestream links, and any office hours opportunities.
Friday Remote Learning Schedule
Friday Remote Learning LINKS to Google Meetings
Students should have daily work for each class on each remote day (M-Th). Teenagers are most successful when there is a set plan for a day of working at home. Consider the following:
Establish a time to start work (by 9am, for example)
Think about using the planner or a chart of some kind to track daily tasks and completion. Students should read email and check Google Classroom.
Set reasonable expectations for taking breaks during learning. After 30-45 minutes of work, have a snack, walk the dogs, shoot hoops, etc.)
Have a set, public work space (the kitchen table or counter work great for this)
Encourage a morning routine: get up, eat breakfast, shower
On FRIDAYS, attendance is mandatory and students will follow the schedule linked above. Students should "sign in" to each class on time for further instructions. 12:30pm to 1:30pm are "Open Office Hours" for students to seek help from any team teacher.
Friday Remote Learning Schedule
Friday Remote Learning LINKS to Google Meetings
Students should have daily work for each class on each remote day (M-Th). Teenagers are most successful when there is a set plan for a day of working at home. Consider the following:
Establish a time to start work (by 9am, for example)
Think about using the planner or a chart of some kind to track daily tasks and completion. Students should read email and check Google Classroom.
Set reasonable expectations for taking breaks during learning. After 30-45 minutes of work, have a snack, walk the dogs, shoot hoops, etc.)
Have a set, public work space (the kitchen table or counter work great for this)
Encourage a morning routine: get up, eat breakfast, shower
On FRIDAYS, attendance is mandatory and students will follow the schedule linked above. Students should "sign in" to each class on time for further instructions. 12:30pm to 1:30pm are "Open Office Hours" for students to seek help from any team teacher.
Below are links to each teacher's pages and resources for online learning. Before that, here are a few tips (gathered from online resources as well as our own experiences) regarding “home school” or “Remote Learning”
1. Your student’s attention span is NOT as long as yours. Allow them a break, even for just a minute, every 30 minutes.
2. Sticking to your morning routine is your best friend. Get up. Get dressed. Get moving. It doesn’t have to be at 7am, in fact, this is a great time for kids to allow the teenage “body clock” to take over, but have a set time to sit down and begin working.
3. Any sort of schedule is going to benefit your student, family, and overall sanity. A dedicated 3-4 hours can accomplish much more work than a distracted 8am-3pm work day. Encourage students to plan what subjects they will tackle each day, in what order, and how long they will commit. Learning time is flexible, but a plan will create stability, accountability, and sanity! Due to limited resources in many homes, we will NOT be holding class and online sessions at set hours, your schedule is yours to make. Ms. Sprigg will hold “office” hours at varying times each day to address questions and concerns for students. Check her page for those times.
4. Alternate times when your students are sitting and times when they are moving. Switch between learning, chores, personal breaks, and a healthy movement activity.
5. Remember that most of you teachers, students, and parents have no training in virtual training which means this could be rough. Give lots of grace and prepare to be patient. Ask questions, share polite feedback and give us a chance to refine/modify.
6. Give lots of positive encouragement. If you feel frustrated, stop and ask yourself if there is a positive way to say it. Ex. "Why can't you just get the work DONE???" vs. "Look how much you've already finished. Awesome. Let's finish up." Making this shift makes ALL the difference.
7. This process is going to take time to adjust to. Because of the situation, you have been given days to sort out plans. It is a TOUGH situation and so, we ask you to please give yourself and your children credit for EVERY win.
8. Fights happen. Love your kids by making up with them in a firm and appropriate manner. Remember that you are not expected to be “all knowing” and can refer kids back to their teachers for help and support. We WILL be here for you and the students throughout this process.
9. Additionally, if "school" is taking only a few hours a day, feel free to encourage exploration, such as doing the free museum tours, watching the Met Opera, or any other self-guided learning.
10. There is a great video of a Colorado teacher living in China who has been in quarantine for 8 weeks, and he says, "Pick something you've always wanted to learn, and do it. Now's the time."
11. Most importantly, LEAD through this. Be a role model. Be consistent. Walk your talk. Show them how to learn while doing something new by learning while you do this new thing.
Last but not least, we know that in many families, parents are still working, having to report to daily jobs and are not home to supervise. Like any day your child is at school while you are working, talk to them about their day, their work, and their assignments when you get home. 8th graders need support, but do not need minute-to-minute supervision. This is a great time to “trust but verify” when it comes to independent work.
As we transition to online learning after spring break, please be on the lookout for specific directions on how to access science content through our weekly team email. Mrs. LaTourette has created a Google Classroom for each class period. Please join the correct class using the codes below:
Period 1: cak3xuq
Period 4: 6wjzw44
Period 5: pzpe5ko
Period 6: o4g7s7b
Period 7: 4kuwk3b
Period 8: qxxcfka
Please have your students access my updated/supplementary Google Classroom site, which I will be using in addition to my standard Google site in order to assign and collect materials for our week of remote learning. Students will be responsible for checking our site on the days that we would normally have class. Below are the access codes for each class period:
Login to your Google Classroom account for assignments.
The codes below are for the remote learning google classroom.
Core 1: ddwhakz
Core 2: zq4osb2
Core 4: axflk73
Core 5: jyjjlea
Core 6: 2gx3chj
Core 7: 5izejft5izejft