April 10, 2020 - QMS Remote Learning Plan- Effective April 13, 2020

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians:

Starting Monday, April 13th, we will be expanding our remote learning plan further to: (1) slowly advance the curriculum, (2) provide some optional synchronous activities, (3) incorporate a participation and engagement rubric, and (4) begin collecting some student work and providing feedback.

Students at the Qualters Middle School will continue to interact with at least three subject areas each day. One core content area will be addressed each day with each special being addressed throughout the week. At 8:30 am each morning students can expect an email outlining the material and resources needed that day. Students are expected to check their email by 9:30 am. We will continue with the following schedule:

• • Monday: Social Studies

  • Tuesday: Mathematics

  • Wednesday: ELA

  • Thursday: Science

  • Friday: World Language (7&8) /Literacy (6) /Study Skills (for those enrolled).

  • Additionally, each week there will be on-going material for specials (trimester 3) emailed each Monday. Students in ensembles will also receive work from Ms. Erban or Ms. Pepicelli

Students are expected to email teachers if they have questions along the way or if for some reason they do not receive the expected email. Students should anticipate approximately two hours of work to be assigned each day in the assigned core content area. (example: on Monday students would receive two hours of Social Studies work). The expected student agenda is now following:

• Sustained Silent Reading (Book of Choice) 30+ Minutes

• Daily Content Area Work 120 minutes

• Special One 15 minutes

• Physical Activity (See examples in the Q & A below) 15 minutes

• Review (Topics provided by content area teachers as needed) 30 minutes

• Special Two 15 minutes

• Instrument/ Vocal Practice (for those in Orchestra, Chorus, or Band)

Sustained silent reading is a core learning activity that is crucial for middle level learners. At the end of this letter are some links to free online resources for reading material. Review material will be identified by teachers in their weekly communications. Review is not expected for every subject area.

Optional Synchronous Activities

We understand that many families require flexible schedules during these unprecedented times which is why we will continue with the majority of our school work being asynchronous (students can do it at times that work for them). We also understand that students benefit greatly from more direct interaction with the teachers. Teachers may schedule synchronous opportunities. These opportunities will be identified in each teacher's weekly email and our faculty is working together to prevent internal conflicts. These opportunities will all begin sometime after 9:45 am; therefore, students must check their email by 9:30 am to not miss these opportunities. These opportunities will look different from class to class. Examples may include, but are not limited to: Google Chats, Discussion in Google Classroom, Google Meets, etc.

Participation and Engagement Rubric

Starting April 13th, students will be scored on a rubric monitoring participation and effort for work completed in each course during this period of remote learning. Our plan is to report this progress using report card comments for trimester three. Students will get an overall rating in each of their courses. Upon our return to school, normal grading practices will resume. Below is that rubric:

In addition to this rubric, teachers will be providing feedback on assignments submitted. Students should email their teachers if they have questions about that feedback.

As we move forward, it is expected that students are engaged with remote learning. If internet access or lack of a device is preventing a student from accessing their learning, please email your child’s Assistant Principal. For students on the Orange, Blue, Gold, Silver, and White teams that is Mr. Hoffman (kevin.hoffman@mansfieldschools.com). For students on the Yellow, Purple, Aqua, or Green teams that is Ms. Cotillo (mary.cotillo@mansfieldschools.com). We look forward to welcoming our students back to QMS as soon as it is safe to do so!

Best regards,

David McGovern - Principal

Click here for extension activities for those seeking additional educaitonal materials!