Embedded Files
3/27/20
RE: Beginning Remote Learning at FHS
Dear Trojan Students and Families,
We continue to miss our students, and are just aching as reports come in from people who are really struggling right now. Keep hanging there, better days are ahead. Our district priorities to this point have been to set up our food delivery and the child care programs. The district then set a priority on seniors, a letter was sent to seniors and their families on 3/23 updating them. We will send more information specific to seniors as decisions are made on the state level.
The main purpose of the letter is to follow up on Mr. Alfano’s communication yesterday. The State has indicated that remote learning must begin next week. We will begin on Wednesday 4/1. The purpose of this letter is to outline what this will look like at FHS. I have broken this down in terms of “phases,” hopefully this will make it easier to navigate:
Phase 1: Get connected
Phase 1: Get connected
Date: 3/28-3/30
Later today each student’s “Family Class teacher” will be emailing students and parents. Students will be asked to reply to their “Family Class” teacher’s email sometime before Monday 3/30 at 8AM. Students will answer a few simple questions. This will help us assess students accessibility on-line and ensure that students are aware that remote learning is starting soon.
Phase 2: Remote learning launched- review material
Phase 2: Remote learning launched- review material
Date: 4/1-4/3 (off for spring break), then 4/13-4/17
Phase 2 purpose: The focus of Phase 2 remote learning will be on enrichment and reteaching. If students have makeup work or assignments that can still be done, this is a great time to work on those as well. During this phase students are not going to receive grades nor will they be penalized for not completing newly assigned work. That said, teachers will be providing feedback to students. In Phase 2 teachers will be sharing with students review learning opportunities via the teachers “Google Classrooms” or in an email to the students. This will focus on review material, meaning students have already been given instruction on this content prior to the shutdown. Teachers are creating these assignments being cognisant to balance workload with “life circumstances” that so many of us are dealing with.
Is it required? Yes, but this phase is not graded. Assignments will go into the gradebook but will not count for or against the students current grade. It is important that students are making an effort to get their assignments completed.
Following spring break every teacher will have virtual “office hours.” Teachers will share with students when they will be available for quick response and feedback. This will allow students to ask any questions they might have as well as engage with the teacher. This is optional for the student, especially if they do not have any questions about the material assigned to them.
During Phase 2 teachers will also be available as usual via email which they will respond to as soon as possible.
Phase 3: Ongoing remote learning until the shutdown ends (new material)
Phase 3: Ongoing remote learning until the shutdown ends (new material)
Date: 4/20-end of shutdown (hopefully we return on 5/4 as currently determined by the Governor)
This phase will introduce a more structured schedule. New material will also be introduced. Here is the overview of the weekly schedule:
The “lessons” that take place will be delivered in Google Hangout Meets. Students access this by pressing a link provided to them on their class Google Calendars shared with them by their teacher. Students will have 1 class period a week for each class, as well as an additional opportunity to connect with the teacher during “office hours” day. Students will have an assignment for the class each week. Teachers will be communicating their office hours with students, we will also be sharing that out at the school level. Teachers will also be responding to emails throughout the week as quickly as they can.
Is it required? Yes. Students should be participating as directed by the teacher.
How will this affect my grades and credits? The state school board is making final decisions on the requirements to earn credits and grades on April 8th. For now the guidance to us is that in order for students to earn credit they must meet standard. More on this to come.
Class periods and Office hours: Students will be shared the link to each respective class period by their teacher in “Google Hangouts Meets.” Class periods are recorded so students can access them at other times. For “office hours” teachers will share with students when they will be available for quick response and feedback. This will allow students to ask any questions they might have as well as engage with the teacher. This is optional for the student, especially if they do not have any questions about the material assigned to them.
One big question that will come up, “what if I don’t have the internet?” We are assessing who needs internet access support, once we know you don’t have internet we will work with you to solve this problem. If you don’t have internet but have somehow received this letter, here is a resource for you: https://internetessentials.com/
Second big question, “what about my grades and credits?” There are a lot of unknowns right now on this topic that the state education authorities are working on right now. We will follow their direction once that is determined. They are not wanting this crisis to set back any students toward graduation or negatively impact a students GPA.
Third big question, senior related, “what about my credits I need for graduation?” We again are working with the state on this question, they will provide us a good route to make sure this does not further impede someone who was on track to graduate. The state has said that seniors right now need to “show a good faith effort” engaging in any remote learning opportunities that are provided by the school.
Fourth big question, what about my AP and Central Washington University classes? There still is testing for AP, but it has been modified. We are working with Central right now as well on the implications for our college credit classes. Assignments and grades for CWU and AP will potentially be required in order to receive credit. The workload expectation will also be a little more for AP and these college classes. More information regarding this will come from the teacher of these respective courses.
Fifth big question, what about Running Start classes? Going to your respective college website for information is the best way to get status updates. It appears all colleges are moving forward with an on-line platform as well.
Thanks for your patience during this difficult time, we will continue to communicate, update, and improve as we create remote learning at FHS.
Get ‘Em,
Brandon Bakke
Principal
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