Walton Distance Learning

Walton Staff Shout Out Video to Students

Students, Parents, and Other Caring Adults,

Welcome to the WMS Distance Learning Materials Website. We wanted to provide you with a one stop shop for distance learning during this difficult time. In order to streamline things, all teachers at Walton are using the same platforms. This means that we will continue to use Schoology, as it is one learning tool that students and parents are familiar with and one that the county will continue to use in the future. In addition, materials will be presented here through this Google site. For each course/set of courses there is a Google folder with plans and resources. Our Gifted Resource Teacher has also added extension activities for those who work fast, have high interest, or are seeking a challenge! For those who require a different kind of differentiation, we will have modified work as well. Each teacher has also created a sub-folder labeled "offline" for downloadable work so that those can be used for easy offline work! But, that's not all. We understand that at this time there are other needs, and we are here to help. Please click on the student and parent pages for resources to help and be helpful during this trying time.

WMS At-Home Learning Overview

Learning Options and Access

On April 6 Debbie Collins, Deputy Superintendent, sent out a memo to families outlining the learning options for the remainder of the year: ACPS Learning Options. It is our hope that most families will choose to engage in Virtual Learning, but we recognize that this may not suit all families. If you are concerned about internet access please see the information below that will address how to get a jump drive and/or paper copies of learning resources.

Students will primarily access what they need for at-home learning by visiting their regular course sites within Schoology. Teachers have uploaded learning resources to Schoology and to a WMS Distance Learning landing page that we hope will make things a bit easier for families to navigate, but please note that Schoology will in general be the most robust way for students to access learning resources and assignments. Also, note that the WMS Distance Learning page may have some kinks that we are still working out, but should have sorted by Monday, April 13.

Teachers will be reaching out to students via email about at-home learning by Monday if they have not already.

Office Hours

Teachers will not be teaching live classes, but they will be hosting office hours to offer assistance and answer questions. Teachers will primarily be using the application Zoom, which allows for both internet/computer access and phone access. Zoom has been in the news lately for some security breaches that have resulted in inappropriate behavior by “Zoom Bombers,” but they have put some security features in place and our teachers are receiving ACPS domain accounts, which should prevent these kinds of unfortunate events. Teachers will also be available by email to answer questions and offer assistance.

Access to At-Home Learning for Those Lacking Internet Access

Please note that broadband, high speed internet is available in all ACPS school parking lots, the Yancey Community Center, and Simpson park. Families may access the internet at these locations at any time. Additionally, working outside of the school building is allowed, though we ask that families practice proper social distancing.

If you are unable to get internet at home or via ACPS sites and would like a USB drive with assignments and in some cases paper copies please email Mr. Walton. We hope to be able to fulfill any of these requests by mid-week this week. These items can be mailed to you via USPS or they can be picked up during lunch pickup (11:00 a.m.-12:30 every weekday at WMS).

Grading for At-Home Learning

On April 10, Jay Thomas, Director of Secondary Education, sent a memo to all families regarding Grading Procedures for the 2019-2020 school year. Middle School classes will receive grades of Pass/Fail or Incomplete for the year based on student performance from prior to closing and including at-home learning from April 13-May 22. Families and students may see student progress on at-home learning activities through Powerschool Parent and Student Portals and the View Additional Learning Activities & Progress.

Courses for high school credit will either receive pass/fail or A-F grades depending on student choice. You can read more in the Continuity of Learning Handbook, but the applicable information is below:

Final Grades for Year-Long High School Credit Courses

The default grade for all year-long courses shall be Pass/Fail/Incomplete. Pass/Fail/Incomplete will be determined by the student’s first semester grade. A grade of 60 or higher shall be passing; a grade of 59 or lower will be failing. Pass/Fail/Incomplete grades shall not be calculated in a student’s GPA.

All students will be provided the choice to receive a letter grade instead of the default Pass/Fail/Incomplete. If a student chooses to receive a letter grade, the letter grade shall be determined by the student’s first semester grade in PowerSchool as of March 13, 2020.

A student may raise their first semester grade by one letter. A student who satisfactorily completes all assignments based on teacher expectations during the closure shall be assigned a letter grade that is one letter higher than the first semester grade.

If a student fails to satisfactorily complete the work assigned during school closure based on teacher expectations, a grade of “Incomplete” shall be entered until the work has been satisfactorily completed. Students shall be given opportunities in the summer and in the fall of the following school year to satisfactorily complete assignments and have a grade assigned in accordance with the above criteria. Grades of “Incomplete” shall not convey course credit.

Student Email Checks

Please have your child check their school email daily for messages from teachers. If you do not have internet access at this time please email Mr. Walton, so that he can make that report to the Department of Technology.

Technology Troubleshooting

The Department of Technology has created a Basic Troubleshooting Guide to support families with technology during our closure. The guide, in both English and Spanish, will also be available to families on the division-level website. Please share the guide with families as you see fit:

• Basic Troubleshooting Guide (English)

• Basic Troubleshooting Guide (Spanish/en español)

If students need a charger or are having difficulty that the above guide cannot address then they or a family member may contact the Technology Service Desk: Phone: 434-975-9444 or email: servicedesk@k12albemarle.org

Remember that we are here for you, and always enjoy partnering with you.

Best,

Josh Walton - Principal

Sherica Jones-Lewis - Assistant Principal