Families
Guidance Document for Virtual Learning
Provide support for your children by:
Establish routines and expectations
Define the physical space for your child’s study
Monitor communications from your children’s teachers
Begin and end each day with a check-in
Take an active role in helping your children process their learning
Establish times for quiet and reflection
Encourage physical activity and/or exercise (HIDOE Wellness Guidelines)
Remain mindful of your child’s stress or worry
Monitor how much time your child is spending online
Keep your children social, but set rules around their social media interactions
Encourage healthy, balanced use of technology (Digital Wellbeing)
Create a Support Network for Unique Circumstances
When HIDOE students are asked to engage in online learning due to circumstances that require school buildings to close, the State recognizes that this can pose a hardship on many families. Although students may be restricted from going to school, there is no guarantee that parents and caregivers are able to work virtually from home and therefore be able to supervise their children. In the event a school building must close and we must shift our learning from the classroom to online learning, HIDOE parents and caregivers are encouraged to think about ways they can support one another. Everyone is encouraged to ask themselves:
Who in the neighborhood might be able to look after several family's children?
How can a neighborhood or friendship group use a rotation schedule to provide supervision for students?
Who in the neighborhood is really "tech savvy" and willing to help teach others how to use the online tools that are available to HIDOE students?
How might older siblings and students be able to support the learning of younger children?
In what ways can neighbors and friendship groups share technology tools?
Create a Learning Schedule and Space
Sustained periods of virtual education are successful when students have a routine to follow and a space in which to work and learn. As you consider how to support your child's online learning, be clear about the time of day any online video sessions will be held as well as the extent of the assignments your child will be asked to complete. If you're not sure, ask your child's teacher(s). Once you have an idea about daily time commitments, plan a schedule for your child to follow. Stick to as predictable a daily routine as possible. Don't forget to include times for breaks and lunch. In addition developing a daily learning schedule, it is important to identify an at-home learning space. Ideally, this space should have:
A computer, iPad, Chromebook or other device
Good lighting
Ready access to learning materials and tools
A dedicated learning space for virtual learning should ideally be located in a shared area of your home such as at the kitchen table, a large kitchen counter, or a desk in a living room or family room. When your child's learning space is separate from their bedroom and distanced from the television, it sets the expectation and tone that the space is for work and not play. Additionally, an online learning space in a shared area allows parents and caregivers to readily support learning while also monitoring online activity.
Provide Learning Materials and Tools
Nothing disrupts a person's ability to do planned tasks than having to stop and find the materials and tools that are needed for the task. Virtual learning experiences don't just require a device. Students who are learning virtually should also have the following materials and tools available to them:
Paper, pencils, and pens
Calculator, ruler, compass, counters (e.g., dry beans), or other items to support math
Textbooks, notebooks, and other necessary curriculum resources provided by your student's teacher
Phone, iPad, or computer with camera for taking pictures of work and/or recording videos of learning demonstrations
Share Learning with Teachers
If your child is provided with a school-issue Google account, they should check this account every day for messages from their teacher(s) about the daily learning expectations. Elementary aged students may need help checking their Gmail account for messages. Educators will also communicate with students about how to share their learning. Students may be asked to:
Complete a Google Quiz;
Submit a document to their personal Google folder;
Take a picture of their work and upload it into a Google folder or email it to their teacher;
Record a video that shows how they are able to do something; email a message summarizing their learning;
Engage in an online classroom management system;
Engage in a Chat session; or
Engage in an online video "Office Hour".
There are are many possibilities for how teachers might invite students to share their learning. Parents and caregivers should be sure they know what their children's teacher(s) expect and then support their student as needed.
Check Progress
Meaningful learning engagement online will not require a big shift in the ways teachers share student progress or in the ways parents and caregivers can check on their child's progress. Email, information shared via a course management system, assignments and grades posted in Infinite Campus, or other practices already used by teachers and parents will remain available.
Important Technology Responsible Use Guidelines
HIDOE wants to support the best use of technology to support teaching and learning. We value the partnership of parents and caregivers when learning occurs outside of the school building. As an important reminder, all students and adults using HIDOE technology platforms must adhere to the expectations set forth in the Technology Responsible Use Guidelines. In general, students and adults should be sure to:
Use respectful behavior and language.
Stick to appropriate topic discussions.
Send only appropriate video transmissions.
Use only appropriate icon, emoji, and avatar submissions.
Wear school appropriate clothing if attending meetings via video.
Be honest and use academic integrity by not plagiarizing or copying others’ work
Not falsify information about oneself or impersonate others online.
Immediately report cyberbullying instances to your child's teacher, counselor, administrator, or https://www.speaknowhidoe.com/.
When everyone remembers to act kindly, show consideration for others, and treat one another online as they wish to be treated in person, students and adults alike will be able to focus on learning.
Reference: Northshore Learning District - Northshore Learns Student Support Page: https://www.nsd.org/northshorelearns/parents
Parent and Caregiver Responsibility for Meaningful Engagement
Parents and caregivers have the responsibility to support their student's meaningful and regular engagement in learning through virtual means. The tips and tools offered here identify specific actions that can be taken to support your children in their continuous learning.
Parents and caregivers understand and support regular attendance. The Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 302A-1132, states that "unless excluded from school or excepted from attendance, all children who will have arrived at the age of at least six years, and who will not have arrived at the age of eighteen, by January 1st of any school year, shall attend either a public or private school for, and during, the school year and any parent, guardian, or other person having the responsibility for, or care of, a child whose attendance at school is obligatory shall send the child to either a public or private school.”
Please take some time to take a look at this checklist to see if your child is ready to move to full online distance learning.
Please take some time to take a look at this checklist to see if you are ready for your child to move to full online distance learning.
Following "Netiquette"
First off, let's just be clear: when anyone engages online, it's essential that everyone behaves appropriately. HIDOE students must follow the Technology Responsible Use Guidelines and Chapter 19 Guidelines.
As a quick reminder, when you're online, be sure to:
Use respectful behavior and language.
Stick to appropriate topic discussions.
Send only appropriate video transmissions.
Use only appropriate icon, emoji, and avatar submissions.
Be honest and do not plagiarizing or copying others’ work. Use academic integrity.
Do not falsify information about yourself or impersonate others online.
Immediately report cyberbullying instances to your teacher, counselor, administrator, or https://www.speaknowhidoe.com/. (This is currently only available for Secondary students.)
When everyone remembers to act kindly, show consideration for others, and treat one another online as you wish to be treated in person, we'll all be able to focus on learning.
Keeping Students Informed with Email
Depending on your school, HIDOE students may have school-issued G-Suite accounts. These accounts are managed and monitored by the HIDOE.
When you learn online, if you have a school-issued Gmail account, you will need to check your account every day for information from your teachers and other adults about coursework, lessons, and/or content.
All elementary-aged students, with support from a parent or guardian, should check their Gmail account every day.
All middle school and high school students should check their Gmail account every day.
Gmail is going to be an important tool for getting the information you need to successfully learn online. And if you need help using Gmail, your school can support you.
As a reminder, here's how you can access your Gmail account:
Use any browser to access Gmail. You can go to Chrome and type in gmail.com.
Click on Gmail and log in using your school-issued username and password.