Dear Third Grade Parents,
I want to take this opportunity to explain how school is going to look over the coming weeks. Some parts will feel very different and others similar to a “normal” school day. While students will not have daily face-to-face contact with your teachers and peers, students and parents will still have access to teachers and other resources for help. Students will have regular assignments due over the course of the day that will need to be electronically submitted to the teacher.
Below you will find a great deal of information about what this will look like starting on Monday, the 23rd.
Tomorrow (Friday the 20th) we would like students and families to do a trial run for their class time. Please review the Class Time section below and use the information to have your child attend class tomorrow and see their friends and teachers.
The St. Andrew’s Community
This week many of you - parents, students, and faculty - have expressed sadness about missing time with our very special SA community. The community remains strong, even if virtual for now, and all of the resources and supports you need remain in place. We will even continue to have Big Chapel every Friday! Please continue to depend on the school, our community and our talented faculty; we remain available and eager to support and assist all families during this challenging time.
Daily Schedule
The teachers for your grade level have created a recommended daily schedule for you while your student is at home. This is just recommended but will give you an understanding of some developmentally appropriate ways to keep your student active, engaged, and well during this time period.
Class Time
Your child will have a designated class time on Monday and Wednesday mornings. These will be times that they need to join the class via the Google Hangout link provided for each teacher, below. Your child’s class time is: 10:30 a.m. on Monday and Wednesday. To access the class online, please click the following link:
Students are encouraged to join on a device (tablet, cell phone, laptop, desktop, etc.). In the event that your child cannot join on a device, please reach out to your child’s teacher to get the call-in information. All class times will be recorded and posted on MySA for students to review in the event of an absence.
Student Work
Every Monday by 8 a.m., your teacher will have the student work posted on the Grade Level MySA page. For your grade level, this will also link directly to your child’s Google Classroom. Your student will have due dates listed as well and all assignments should be “turned in” via Google Classroom.
Google Classroom
In your child’s materials bag you received information on your child’s school Google account. This information will be important as we move into distance learning. As a parent, you may not be aware of how this platform works and how you can help support your student. To help with this, we have put together a parent tutorial. Students will be expected to upload their assignments to Google Classroom when they are due.
Co-Curriculars
All of your child's favorite co-curricular activities will still be available during this time! Simply check out the Co-Curricular Resource Board on MySA for some fun and engaging activities for you and your student. These are not required but will be a nice outlet for you all. Co-Curricular teachers will also have office hours.
Attendance
Attendance will be taken weekly through a variety of ways including participation in virtual meetings, submitting assignments, individual check-in’s with teachers, and replies to class discussions. Please let your teacher know beforehand if you are unable to attend a scheduled virtual class.
Tech Support
As we begin to work in a virtual world, it is possible that you may run into some tech glitches or needs along the way. Our IT department is ready and willing to help! Parents and Students are able to receive technical services through the following means:
URGENT REQUESTS - An “urgent request” is an issue that prevents your child from participating in a virtual class through Google Meet with a teacher.
Call the Support Hotline at (601) 853-6047. If no answer, please leave a message.
GENERAL REQUESTS - General requests are basic “how-to” questions or “where do I find information” questions. Email the support team at helpdesk@gosaints.org.
SUPPORT HOURS - The Technical Services Team is available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. to support you. Should you need assistance after-hours, please call the support hotline and leave a message or email helpdesk@gosaints.org. A member of our team will respond within 24 hours.
Student Support
During this time, our teachers and student support personnel will remain available to help students. Our learning facilitator, Dr. Selman, and reading specialist, Ms. Woodward, will reach out to individual parents directly to share the plan on how they will continue services remotely. Chelsea Freeman, our counselor, and Rev. Annie are also ready to assist students and families during this stressful time.
Office Hours
Your child's teacher will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30-11:30 via the Hangout link above. In the afternoon your teachers will not be available on Hangouts but will respond to emails received before 4 p.m. during the work week.
School administration will have office hours each afternoon. Links for individual teachers and administrators are available here.
Honor Code
During this time, parents are encouraged to allow their student to reach out directly to their teacher during office hours each day. Please do not do your child's work for them during this time. This is their opportunity to shine and show what they know, receiving individualized support from the teacher for things they may struggle with. Allow this learning process to work its magic during this time and feel free to reach out to the teacher if you have questions as well.
Caregivers
Parents, please share this document with any of the caregivers who may be working with your child so they can assist.
I understand that this is a lot of new information to process. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
We are all in this together!
Best,
Dawn