Elementary Students

In an effort to ensure students continue to engage in learning, I want to share with you the Emergency Remote Learning Plan for our school district. This information is based on what we know to-date in regards to teaching and learning guidance from the state level. Please note that some plans may continue to change as the situation evolves. We fully anticipate further guidance from the NC Department of Public Instruction, the NC State Board of Education, and the NC General Assembly. I will continue to be transparent with you regarding any and all guidance we receive regarding remote learning in NC and in particular, decisions affecting us directly at the local level in Surry County.

Surry County Schools will continue with emergency remote learning to support continued student growth and well-being during this public health crisis. While we know this is not ideal for all learners, our goal is to reach all of our students and engage them in learning. Within our plan, we will continue to provide a variety of remote learning opportunities through video conference, telephone conference, print material, online material, and/or through PowerSchool Learning (Haiku) or Google; provide social and emotional learning strategies and supports to help respond to the needs of our students; and, focus more on engagement than evaluation during this unprecedented time in our lives.

Please review the attached summary document from the NC Department of Public Instruction and approved by the State Board of Education. Additional guidance will be provided by your school principal.

Grades PreK-5:

• Teachers will continue with emergency remote instruction and will continue to engage students in learning. Teachers will provide feedback to students on their progress. Our focus is on feedback rather than assigning grades.

• Your student will receive printed material, Kids Learn, mailed directly to your home for instruction to begin the week of April 27. (In the meantime, continue with the weekly lessons available through the elementary choice boards.)

• Students and parents will be kept abreast of student progress toward grade-level priority standards and promotion standards.

• Regarding promotion, consideration will be given to each student’s progress from the first three quarters of the year and continued progress toward grade-level standards since March 6 (our last day of face-to-face instruction).

• Students with an IEP and/or an EL plan will continue to receive differentiated support within this remote learning plan.

Teachers will provide Emergency Remote Learning Progress Checks to your students in efforts to give feedback on their progress toward grade-level and/or course-level standards. You will receive these by April 30, 2020.

Digital Divide:

K-5 students who have internet connectivity and do not have a computer should contact their school principal to receive a laptop.