Orientation Days: September 10th or 11th. First Remote Student Day: September 14th!
What will Remote Learning look like?
Grade level teams will be working closely to create a cohesive learning platform across grade spans. Our goal is to create a routine in K, 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, that will help families streamline their learning experience. While there will be commonality team wide, personalization through individual competencies will happen within small groups and 1:1 sessions. We will work to create quality learning experiences to engage our students in authentic opportunities and provide a sense of routine and socialization.
What materials will my child be given to support remote instruction?
We will prepare materials your child will need for their daily lessons and routines and work to balance digital resources with hard copy resources. Books, manipulatives and any materials your child may need to engage in remote learning will also be provided, and updated regularly.
Technology (Chrome Book/IPads) will be provided to families. A survey will be sent to provide a sense of technology or equipment needs.
Technology support will be offered to families daily from 8:15-9:00 am.
What is the schedule like for remote learning?
Keeping in mind developmental guidelines for screen time K-5, days are planned accordingly to provide a variety of learning opportunities. Just like we personalize learning for our students within our classroom, we are eager to do the same for our families remotely. In order to do this effectively, we need families to be partners with us, connecting and communicating their needs so that the program can be tailored to each individual. Student voices are vital as well!
Students will start each day with a virtual Morning Meeting and end the day with a closing meeting.
Lunch/Recess will be at a common time across the schedule.
Virtual Learning Lessons will be on a consistent schedule as much as possible.
Schedules will include consistency as much as possible within grade level/span teams to foster collaboration and creative opportunities.
How will I know and keep up with the assignments?
We will be using common platforms to deliver instruction. At times, instruction will be live on virtual platforms, small group, 1:1, or through teacher created or other videos for student viewing. Many assignments that are taught live will be followed up and explained by postings on Seesaw/Google Classroom. In trying to meet the range of expectations of families, we are trying to keep a daily routine while also understanding that families have different needs. Schedules are to provide structure but activities are designed to be more self-paced as well.
Teachers will also be communicating if challenges arise or if assignments are not being completed. Ongoing feedback loops to students & families will be important to monitoring goals and learning outcomes.
What learning platforms will be used?
The district has purchased a subscription to Zoom for enhanced security. Zoom offers many educational friendly features such as full screen view of students, break out rooms, annotations for students to collaborate and a more consistent platform in terms of connectivity issues. Digital competency & safety will be taught and embedded in our learning.
Seesaw will be utilized K-5 and training will be provided for both students and families to become more comfortable with this platform. Seesaw becomes a portfolio of learning and reflection through your child’s K-5 career at EKES. Students also have the opportunity to access assignments with voice-over or video components from their teacher making learning more accessible for all. New features such as “folders” for activities and a list of “unfinished assignments” provide more organization within the platform. It is also a communication tool for teachers & families as assignments and updates can be shared directly to email.
3-5 will also utilize Google Classroom, which integrates with Seesaw.
A landing page is currently being developed to provide quick links for families and students, following all FERPA guidelines.
Will there be an orientation for students, teachers and parents?
On September 10th & 11th families will have the opportunity to connect with members of our EKES faculty and staff. Families will receive a sign up schedule with 30 minute blocks with the classroom teacher and/or other members of the EKES school community.