Introduction

March 23 - March 31 will be an extended spring break for students. During this time, PCSS faculty and staff will be working to prepare for continuity of services should the closure be extended beyond March 31. A link to the full PCSS Communicable Disease Plan has been shared with all district and school administrators. This folder was built to sustain our conversations surrounding COVID19 discussions as we work through our district plan and is coordinated with state and local agencies.

The shared teacher expectations folder shared with schools in Google Drive will be used to prepare our schools for student remote learning from home IF we are out past March 31, 2020. The idea behind this plan is to support students' supplemental learning from home in the event of extended closure. This folder provides insight to our thought process and will be a resource for student remote learning expectations for our schools.

The primary platform for our home learning experience will be Google Classroom. The resources we use will be in SUPPORT of our standards and in review of prior learning, at least until we get a little experience with leading student remote learning from home. Resources that are already being prominently used in our schools are the main resources we want to push out for student use at home. Student remote learning is meant to be supplemental to our classroom standards expectation.

Teachers will also be expected to provide opportunities for student/teacher communication (office hours) daily to support student questions during the home learning days and are outlined in the TEACHER folder.

Again, the goal is to supplement student learning at home using the resources that we have available in Putnam County.

The main folder to review for Monday (which will be shared with teachers) is the Learning from Home Folder that has been shared with our principals & assistant principals.

The Instructional Continuity Plan (ICP) has three components: Content Delivery, Mobile Devices, and Internet Access. Content Delivery explains which resources students will use to enhance core instruction. Mobile Devices provides the steps the district is taking to ensure that any student who needs a mobile device to access the instructional resources will be provided with one, upon request, for the duration of the school closure. Internet Access poses the greatest challenge to ensuring that PCSS students can continue their studies while at home. Principals will be working with their school staff to identify students who have no connection to the internet at home. These students will be provided a learning packet to work on at home and return that to the teacher at the suggested times.

This website contains a planning checklist that schools should review in preparation for and in the event of schools closing. The RLI Planning Checklist details the steps administrators should implement immediately and upon receiving notification of school closures.

A document for FAQ's can be found HERE and will be updated as we work through this transition.

Preparing School Sites for Distance Teaching and Learning

Instructional Plan Overview

CONTENT DELIVERY

  • Students will have access to digital materials and instructional activities to remain engaged in learning during the time schools may remain closed.

  • Digital resources will be designated as "Supplemental Materials." Supplemental Materials will be available for enhancement and enrichment activities.

  • On March 24, teachers will work with building principals to transition to our remote learning plan for students. These meetings will be available via ZOOM conferencing. Building admins will be contacting teachers with details on Monday.

MOBILE DEVICES

  • Principals and teachers will work to determine if students have a mobile device and internet connection at home to access instructional activities.

  • Schools will check out mobile devices to those students or parents who have indicated they need a mobile device for use at home AND have an internet connection.

  • Principals will work with teachers to determine what skills and training is needed for the use of Google Classroom and suggested programs.

  • Schools will use their current inventory of mobile devices, including devices in carts, to check out to students, when needed.

  • Mobile devices must be checked out using a signed checkout document. If you are in need of this document, the Technology Department can provide it.

INTERNET ACCESS

  • Spectrum has offered to provide internet connection to K-12 families in Putnam County that reside in their service area. This service will be provided for FREE for 60 days. Interested parents can call 1-844-488-8395.

Content Delivery

Digital Resources for Core Subject Areas

Extra Resources:

Mobile Devices: Distribution

Mobile device plan distribution is being formulated and will be shared with principals and district staff at the Monday, March 23 meeting.


Internet Access

Spectrum Free install of internet for 60 days in Putnam County Phone: 1-844-488-8395

550 Hotspots available for students as a per need basis through PCSS technology department.


RLI Planning Checklist

Remote Learning Instructional Plan Checklist

  • Communication from Interim Director of Schools will be provided to parents concerning plans for Remote Learning.

  • Principals will work with teachers beginning Tuesday, March 24 to determine home internet access for students and possible device needs.

  • Individual schools will work on a plan for students who don't have internet access (possible instruction packet).

  • Schools will survey teachers to determine any teacher needs for the use of Google Classroom and related apps/ extensions for remote learning.

  • ZOOM will be used to deliver professional learning for teachers in need. A schedule will be determined based on need and shared at the building level with teachers.

Student Video Help Links

Video help links will help with content delivery and instruction for remote instruction.


Faculty Video Help Links

The most relevant remote learning video links will be added here.