EHS
Note: In order to provide consistent types of information from every ECPS school, each principal responded to a series of questions related to the Continuity of Learning Plan for his/her school. These are the responses from Mr. Hopkins.
Communication
Weekly communication during the extended closure has been recommended by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). How will the following types of communication occur?
Administrators to teachers?
The EHS administrative team will continue to utilize the following communication practices: virtual faculty meetings (bi-monthly), departmental meetings (bi-monthly), email correspondences, and Google Classroom.
Administrators to families?
The EHS administrative team will continue to utilize the following communication practices: robo-calling, email correspondence, phone correspondence, and mailing materials when necessary.
Teachers to students?
The EHS instructional staff will continue to use the following communication practices: email correspondence and phone correspondence. Also, Google Classroom for instructional requirements will continue to be used daily along with other technology learning tools.
Teachers to families?
The EHS instructional staff will continue to communicate with families through sending emails and updating email addresses when needed. Also, they will call families to check on them, and will send communications through the mail. In addition, Google Classroom will be used as a means of communication to families.
What are the office hours for your school?
EHS provides office hours from 10 AM to 3 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays for families to pick up packets of materials for students. In addition, our phone is accessible Monday through Sunday 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with all calls being forwarded to the building administration.
Instruction and Instructional Materials
How are the electives teachers continuing instruction for their students?
Students enrolled in elective and expanded core courses will continue to receive instruction online through Google Classroom. Classroom lesson packets are available at EHS for students who do not have internet access at home via drive-thru delivery on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Instructional materials are updated every two weeks. Many EHS assignments are prepared for at least two weeks of lessons. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are also being done weekly through virtual meetings with administration.
How are provisions for social and emotional concerns being incorporated in your materials, activities, and communication?
The instructional staff will continue to plan differentiated lessons and activities to meet the needs of all learners. EHS counselors are communicating with students and families to address any social and emotional concerns. The EHS nurse has been involved with the distribution of medications at the close of school and is available if needed.
How are teachers ensuring that materials/instructional models being used are equitable to all, including students with disabilities, English learners, gifted students, children lacking access to high-speed Internet or devices to access, and students who are economically disadvantaged?
The EHS instructional staff will continue to plan differentiated lessons and activities to meet the needs of all learners. EHS gifted students are being challenged through rigorous lessons provided by the teachers as well as through the continued course requirements of NNTC, dual enrollment requirements, and the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School.
How are you distributing materials? How will the materials be returned to the teachers?
EHS issued Chromebooks to students who have access to internet services at home. Also, paper packets of the assignments are available for students who do not have internet access at home to provide equitable access for all; EHS has established pick-up times on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. for the packets. Mail services are available for individuals who are unable to pick up resources. The students are directed to return the work virtually to maintain social distancing and to limit contamination.
How will student work be evaluated?
If any EHS student chooses to stop and do no more work for a class:
1) We need an email/letter from parents/guardians informing us that the student would like to stop. We will maintain these emails/letters in a folder for documentation.
2) The student's grade for Quarter 3 will be their grade for Quarter 4. This will be the grade for the second semester. Grades will then be averaged as usual for the final, yearly grade.
If a student chooses to move forward in a class:
1) All grades and work now being done will still go into Quarter 3.
2) If a student is choosing to bring their grade up and only does some of the work, he/she will not receive zeros for work not completed. Students are only receiving grades for work attempted.
3) This process will be the same as above: The student's grade for Quarter 3 will be their grade for Quarter 4. This will be the grade for the second semester. Grades will then be averaged as usual for the final, yearly grade. The Quarter 3 grade will be higher than it was on the report card due to this process
How often will feedback be provided to students? How will feedback be provided to students? Instructional staff will continue to provide timely and consistent feedback to the students. The teachers will continue to update PowerSchool on a consistent basis. The teachers will continue to provide feedback about students’ progress through Google Classroom, with final grades posted in PowerSchool. In addition, email correspondence and phone correspondence will continue weekly for consistent and timely feedback.
How will students currently in accelerated courses OR those going into accelerated courses next year being prepared for the next course? EHS instructional staff will continue to provide rigorous lessons that incorporate new essential skills in order to prepare students for the next school year. They will use Google Classroom and other virtual educational resources to do this.
Recommended daily schedule for the students at EHS:
The students are encouraged to spend a minimum of 30 minutes a day per class, not to exceed two and a half hours per week per class, as recommended by the Virginia Department of Education.
Self-selected reading time should be encouraged daily and outside of the recommended learning time.
EHS Contact Information
Mr. Damean Barfield, Principal: dbarfield@essex.k12.va.us
Mr. Mahdi Dublin, Associate Principal: mdublin@essex.k12.va.us
Mrs. Tiffani Nash, School Counselor: tnash@essex.k12.va.us
Mrs. Raynell Vesselles, School Counselor: rvesselles@essex.k12.va.us
Main Office: 804-443-4301