Meade USD 226

Dear Meade Public School Family,

• During this unprecedented time in education, we want to connect with our parents and students to share the vision for learning in our community. Vital to the success of parents and students staying informed of planned activities by our teachers, it is imperative to have available: the internet, the school app, the ability to check email, and the SeeSaw app (PK-4) installed on a device. If you are unable to connect to these tools, contact building principals for assistance.

• Our mission is for the students to continue learning through activities that give them choice in the tasks they complete and also allow flexibility so that families can manage daily tasks while continuing a routine, reinforcing life skills at home, work, play, and school. Teachers will be available throughout the week to provide support academically, as well as to assist students with individual needs. Through this process, we want to work together to provide meaningful activities where students can experience success and thrive in this digital learning environment.

• Please continue to monitor Meade USD 226 social media sites and website for updated information as we all work through this historic event together. In the future, the district will have a Google Form link available to get feedback from parents regarding this continuous learning process. Please make sure to communicate with your teachers first and then the building principal for issues which may arise. Our staff is learning along with you as we implement our learning plan. We all need to have patience, flexibility, and grace.

• If changes to this plan are required, parents will be notified. If new state guidelines require shelter in place orders, the district expects to continue providing the continuous learning plan until the end of the school year.

• On May 20th a check in of textbooks, Chromebooks, or other school items will be scheduled similar to when student belongings were distributed on March 26th.

What You Can Expect

• Beginning Thursday March 26th, you can expect elementary classroom teachers, junior high homeroom teachers, and high school seminar teachers to begin reaching out to their students and parents. The purpose of this communication will be to follow up on the parent survey that was circulated and to communicate details about the continuous learning plan.

• All teachers will complete instruction virtually at this time; there will NOT be any small group face to face meetings. Some teachers may provide packets of work from time to time that will be either mailed, delivered, or access will be made at the school.

• Information to parents and students will be delivered electronically with the SeeSaw app for Pre-K through 4th grade, and Google Classroom for 5th-12th. Some classes may use Zoom, Google Meet, or other apps to connect with students and parents. Students in grades 5-12 should look for Classroom invites to any classes not already set up, and their parents should be looking for guardian invitations using the email address that was provided via the parent survey.

• Teachers will communicate any recurring class meetings they plan to have, video conference availability, and how individual or small group virtual appointments will be conducted. Some classes may use Zoom, Google Meet, or other apps to connect with students and parents live.

• Class attendance for the final quarter will be assessed on student participation in the assigned classroom activities. Teachers will document with a checklist or similar tool whether students complete weekly expectations or not.

• Students will continue to have accountability for completing expected activities and teachers will continue to enter grades into the GoEdustar gradebook.

• The KSHSAA eligibility guideline for passing five semester classes this semester to participate in 2020 fall semester activities remains in effect. USD 226 still expects graduating Seniors to meet the credit requirements of 24. All 9-12 students need to complete the requirements to stay on track to graduate.

• The school will continue to operate according to the current school calendar except that all scheduled activities have been canceled. No decision has been made regarding graduation. It likely will not be in a traditional format unless social distancing requirements are removed.

ITV and College Classes

ITV classes will be recorded for students to participate in as necessary to meet the class requirement, but will be offered live with abbreviated segments during the current time schedule unless changed by the sending district. Student communication with the sending teacher will be important to determine classroom expectations. Students will be able to log on with a Chromebook to view live classes or watch recorded classes. Students should make every attempt to watch classes live unless they have been taking the class recorded.

Students enrolled in college classes will be expected to meet standards set by Seward County Community College, (or other colleges) including participating in final examinations as required.