Hello to all,
While this email may be long, it contains important and exciting information. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read.
Calendar updates
Week of 9th-13th will be a fire drill week for in-person students
Wednesday, November 11th: School is closed for Veterans Day. We thank all of our veterans for their service and sacrifice.
Friday, November 13th: End of Cycle 1
Monday, November 16th: The first day of Cycle 2. From Monday, November 16th through Tuesday, November 24th most in-person teachers will be working virtually. They will be teaching their classes from home while working on their cycle 1 narrative evaluations. In-person students may still report to school on their cohort days if needed. However, please know that they will not be receiving in-person instruction but simply in-person supervision while they are engaging in on-line coursework.
Wednesday, November 18th: Projects are cancelled.
Wednesday, November 25th-Friday, November 27th: School closed for the holiday break.
It is evaluation time!
Over the next 2 weeks, students will start to wrap up Cycle 1, which means that students will be writing self-reflections and staff will use your student's self-reflection to write their narrative evaluation. Self-reflections are one of the most critical aspects of the LACS educational experience--a chance for the student to center themself in their work and to honestly reflect on their experiences.
Cycle 1 evaluations are intended to capture a few important things:
1. A teacher's response to the student's self-reflection.
2. A reflection on participation, habits, and work completion, as they relate to course expectations.
3. Identifying accomplishments and hurdles, related to portfolio outcomes.
4. Identifying areas to grow (feedback that helps the student "learn how to learn").
Students will complete their self-reflections the week of November 9th-13th, and all teacher evaluations will be ready for you to read the week of Monday, November 23rd.
If your child is not meeting expectations and/or is behind on pieces for their portfolio, please know that the staff will work with them and you to find ways to move forward as we begin the second cycle. It is a complicated year and yet it is important that teachers offer clear information so we can all support students as they push on.
We recognize that reading all of your student's evaluations can take some time, and we sincerely hope that you will set aside this time to review these evaluations with your student. As we continue to navigate this school year, taking time to evaluate and reflect on learning is essential to our ongoing work as a learning community.
New Evaluation Platform
We are excited to announce our new platform for student evaluations! (created and programmed by our amazing Natty!) To access the site, visit lacs.school (that is the complete address). Once Cycle 1 evaluations are entered later this month, they will be viewable to you there (this replaces OxPort). The site is optimized for Google Chrome.
A few notes about logging in:
1) You will use the e-mail address that is listed in SchoolTool in order to login. If more than one caregiver is signed up for e-mails in SchoolTool, each has their own access with their own e-mail address. (All of your students will be linked to each account.)
2A) If your listed e-mail is a Gmail account (or another Google account, e.g. from Cornell or ICSD), choose the "Google" button at the bottom right, rather than entering a name and password, to log in with your Google account (no information other than your e-mail address, name, and avatar is shared with us).
2B) Otherwise, enter your e-mail address as the username, and use the first-time password "changeme" to be prompted to enter a new password. (You may also choose the "forgot password" option -- if you receive an e-mail stating you are using "another site to log in", follow the instructions above for logging in with Google instead.)
If you have any issues (logging in or otherwise), please contact: nathaniel.simson@icsd.k12.ny.us
Cycle 2 period schedule update
To accommodate our facility's need for cleaning as well as the need for all students (in-person and virtual) to get a much needed stretch and breathe break between classes, we are adjusting our period schedule by 5 minutes. Here is the new schedule.
9:05 - 10:30 (85 minutes) Block 1
10:40 - 12:05 (85 minutes) Block 2
12:05 - 12:45 Lunch
12:45 - 1:05 Office Hours
1:05 - 1:45 FG/ Committee/ Spokes
1:55 - 3:20 (85 minutes) Block 3
3:20 - 3:25 end of day/dismissal
My Messages will have a new look next week
I have been working with several caregivers and staff members to create new and improved ways to communicate. Next week Friday my message will have a new "at a glance" look that will help you access just the information that you need. The messages will also be posted each week on our Facebook page and webpage https://sites.google.com/view/lacs-info .
Peace,
Deb
Hello to all,
As we enter into a momentous week I urge us all to make our voices heard, exercise grace and remember that we are strongest when we are united in peace and justice.
Calendar updates
Wednesday, November 11th, no school due to Veterans Day
Friday, November 13th, last day of Cycle 1
Monday, November 16th, first day of Cycle 2
Wednesday-Friday, November 25-27, Holiday Break
Friday, November 27th, Native American Heritage Day
Evaluations got a 21st century update!
We are excited to launch our new narrative evaluation platform! We are bringing the Oxport platform to a close and trust that you will appreciate our new platforms accessibility, transparency and ease of use. By the end of the first semester narrative evaluations, as well as student portfolios will be housed within the new learning management system-Canvas. More information regarding orientation to this new system is just around the corner. But for now, stay tuned for information regarding how to access the narrative evaluations for each course for Cycle 1.
In-person daily screener
Things are still a bit rough with the transition to Frontline. I apologize for the stress that this has caused. Until further notice, Barbara and I will continue to greet students each morning in the gym for a brief health and wellness screening. I have to say, it is a joy to say hello to every student!
Caregiver Website
Please remember to access our caregiver website for "in the moment" updates. https://sites.google.com/view/lacs-info
A big thank you goes out to the caregivers and staff who continue to provide this valuable resource to our school community.
Peace,
Deb
Hi Caregivers!
Friendly reminder - we have our first ASM tomorrow at 1:10! Students received a separate email today with links for their Family Group to follow. Here is a glimpse of the agenda!
7SM, Wednesday (10/21) at 1:10!
AGENDA
Welcome & Umbrella Guidelines
Overview of the Plan!
Where do students have decision making power at LACS?
New digital proposal and dilemma forms, how to fill them out and where to find them!
Questions & answers--if we don’t know the answers, we’ll catch them in the notes.
Next week, the whole school votes on what we discuss first (very democratic!)
We’ll send the first proposal to FG to discuss, each FG will decide on their first spoke, and then we’ll have our first spokescouncil!
Lisa Gervais
School Secretary
Lehman Alternative Community School
607-274-2183
(she/hers) pronouns--Why?)
Hello to all,
This week we were in "full swing"- classes, projects, family group and committee! Democracy in action is on the way so stay tuned.
Here are a few things to note:
Open House update from the Counseling staff
Save The Date! Open House will take place online on Thursday, October 29th, from 6-8pm. More details to come.
In-person student screener
Thanks to all of you who are filling out the daily student screener. If you don't have access via email please let us know! The screener platform will be changing soon. We will get you the information that you need.
The end of the first cycle is just around the corner...
The last day of the first cycle (the first quarter for those of you who are new to LACS) is Friday, November 13th. Each teacher has determined course outcomes for successful portfolio completion. During the next few weeks we will be providing you with updated information about expectations for success as well as our narrative self reflection process (again, if you are new to LACS this process replaces grades).
Calendar updates
The calendar that we published includes picture day TBD in October...no picture day at this time.
In November we still have no school on Wednesday, November 11th (Veterans Day). There will be no projects or services provided during this day.
Our Thanksgiving break is Wednesday, November 25th to Friday, November 27th. Please note that if you or your child travels to a restricted state your child will not have access to in-person instruction for 14 days upon your return to your home in Ithaca. They will be able to access learning virtually.
Peace,
Deb
Hello to all,
As we approach the end of our first week for many of us returning to the building I am filled with joy and tremendous appreciation. Students have been conscientious, caring and so very patient. Staff have been rock stars! This hybrid model of teaching in-person and virtual students at the same time is mind blowing.
The plans that seemed to be solid one day change the next. The need to be flexible and responsive has taken on new meaning. Change is hard under the best of circumstances. Please know how much we appreciate your grace, patience and understanding.
Welcome to our new Library Clerk Sally Tuszynski. Please note that the library is closed for browsing for books. Books can be checked out on-line until further notice. Book return bins will be available soon.
Some reminders:
Water bottles are important (we no longer have cups available);
Earbuds or headphones really help during classroom instruction. If you need a pair to keep just ask Deb;
Please remember to complete your health screener in the morning. If you are not receiving the morning screener let us know; and
There is no off campus access during lunch at this time.
Our schedule for next week:
There is no school on Monday as it is Indigenous Peoples' day. While other secondary schools are changing their daily cohort schedule and running classes on Wednesday, we are not. We will stick with our regular schedule. We need some consistency! Here is a summary from the Counseling Team:
Schedule for the week of October 12:
Monday: No School (Indigenous People's Day)
Tuesday: Periods 2, 4, and 8 as normal; Family Group 1:10-1:50
Wednesday: Projects at 10:40-12:10, and nothing else--More info about ASM (All School Meeting) will be coming soon!
Thursday: Periods 1,3, and 7 as normal; Committee 1:10-1:50
Friday: Periods 2, 4, and 8 as normal; Family Group 1:10-1:50
If you would like to see the period times here is the link:
I hope you all have a beautiful weekend. I encourage you to take some time as a family and check out the link below:
How To Be An Ally To Indigenous Peoples
Peace,
Deb
Hello to all,
I trust that this email finds you all well. I want to thank you for your flexibility and understanding with our ever changing schedule this week. I know that having asynchronous learning for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday created a burden for many of you. We appreciate your support!
What does next week hold?
Family Group and Committees
Family Group assignment information will go out this weekend. The first Family Group meeting will be Tuesday.
We still need approximately 100 students to pick their Committee choice. This will happen during Family Group on Tuesday. Committee will launch on Thursday.
Our Weekly Schedule
The only change to the weekly period schedule will take place on Monday and Thursday. These will be the first days of in-person instruction for some students. We will take time to orient in -person students to health and safety protocols! Here is the schedule for Monday and Thursday:
9:05-9:45 No instruction for virtual students. In-person orientation (students should report to their 1st period classroom location)
9:50-11:20 Period 1 classes for all students
11:25-12:55 Period 3 classes for all students
12:55-1:45 Lunch
1:55-3:25 Period 7 classes for all students
There will be a continuation of virtual learning for most of you. And, a shift to in-person learning for some.
In-person instruction
By now you all should have received information regarding transportation to and from school. If you have questions please contact them directly at 607-274-2128. Food delivery to virtual families will remain the same. I will be there on Monday morning to greet everyone. Our doors open at 8:40 a.m.
It is critical that all of you view this slideshow prior to arriving at school on Monday. We will also be going over this in detail on Monday morning during our orientation period with students.
Please note that there are a number of staff who will be working virtually. While your child might be in the building, these teachers will be streaming in virtually to the classroom: Dara; Jon; Natty; Sarah B.; Sarah T. , Shane and Shira. A long term substitute teacher will be in the room with your child providing support and supervision. Please welcome the following people to our LACS family: Michael Margolin; Simone Green; Joseph Valez, Pamela Markham and Dave Megivern.
Also know that the following staff will also be working virtually and will not be in the building: Alex (Librarian) and Meredith (Social Worker). They will be serving our school virtually.
I wish you all a safe and restful weekend.
Peace,
Deb
Greetings students and families,
I hope your first two weeks of virtual school have been going well, all things considered. The goal of this email is to provide you clear information about and establish your points of contact for all questions/concerns re: Family Group, Committee, and Projects moving forward.
Family Group
Family Group is a student's main connection to the LACS community outside of the classroom. As such, it's important to have all the pieces in place before finalizing these groups. The important points:
The first Family Group meeting of this school year will be next Tuesday, October 6th from 1:10pm - 1:50pm and all Tuesdays and Fridays 1:10-1:50 going forward.
Students will be contacted by their Family Group Leader with a link to the Google Classroom or Meeting. This will happen between Friday afternoon and Monday end of day. If your FGL doesn't reach out to you by Monday 3pm, please email or text me.
Students attending in-person will know their Family Group Meeting room when they arrive on Tuesday or Friday.
Committee
Committee is a place for students to work in service of the school community and to practice leadership and peer collaboration. It's also one of the many ways we give students choice and agency in their selection of a Committee that matches their interests.
The first Committee meeting of the year will be next Thursday, October 8th from 1:10pm - 1:50pm and all Mondays and Thursdays 1:10-1:50 going forward.
Students will be contacted by their Committee leader between Monday and Wednesday next week. If your Committee leader doesn't reach out to you by Wednesday at 3pm, please email or text me.
Similar to FG, students attending in-person will know their meeting room when they arrive on Thursday.
Caregivers, please check in with your students and ensure that they have made a Committee selection. Please use this form: Committee Selection Form
Projects
Projects are single-cycle experiences that allow students to pursue some various interest with a staff or student leader. They are entirely chosen by students and include on- and off-line options.
Projects met for the first time this past Wednesday. If you were unable to attend, please reach out to your project leader. Please login and check your SchoolTool schedule to confirm what project you're enrolled in. I'm also happy to provide that information as needed.
All projects (with the exception of Senior Seminar) will meet from 10:40am - 12:10pm. There are no scheduled school activities on Wednesdays from 9:00-10:40.
If you need a Google Meet link to your project, reach out to your project leader or counselor.
Thank you for bearing with us through these challenging and confusing times! After Tuesday, please know that your Family Group will be a place to gain clarity or support with any and all questions. Of course, Alan and I will also continue being your points of contact.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, clarifications, wonderings, etc. I am happy to take your "call" : )
--
Matt Riehlmann
School Counselor
Lehman Alternative Community School
matthew.riehlmann@icsd.k12.ny.us
607-882-4254
Dear Caregivers,
We will be holding a follow-up open forum conversation on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th, 7-8pm. If you have any questions/feedback you would like us to put on the agenda please complete this Google form: Questions/Feedback for Caregiver Check-in Meeting by 5pm Wednesday.
Below are some resources that were shared at our first meeting:
Blank Schedule Template for your child to copy and enter their specific schedules.
LACS Caregiver/Student Resource Website (See this website designed by LACS caregivers, with great resources about events, school, contact information, community resources, etc.).
Caregiver Facebook Discussion Group (Current caregiver only facebook group).
Organizational Resources for Distance Learning and Google created by LACS social worker Meredith DePol
Please reach out with any questions,
LACS caregiver/staff communication team
Hello to all,
It was so wonderful to see all of our students this past week. Here is a brief update regarding next week. The first message is from our AC/DC family communication breakout group.
Dear Caregivers,
Thank you to those of you who were able to attend the evening caregiver/family check in recently. We will be holding a follow-up open forum conversation on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th, 7-8pm. If you have any questions/feedback you would like us to put on the agenda please complete this Google form: Questions/Feedback for Caregiver Check-in Meeting by 5pm Wednesday.
Below are some resources that were shared at our first meeting:
Blank Schedule Template for your child to copy and enter their specific schedules.
LACS Caregiver/Student Resource Website (See this website designed by LACS caregivers, with great resources about events, school, contact information, community resources, etc.).
Caregiver Facebook Discussion Group (Current caregiver only facebook group).
Organizational Resources for Distance Learning and Google created by LACS social worker Meredith DePol
Please reach out with any questions,
LACS caregiver/staff communication team
A message from the District
Monday is Yom Kippur, one of the Jewish High Holidays. It is painful and confusing for many of you to have to choose between observing the holiday with family and community or miss critical instruction and learning at school. Given this, please know that lessons and expectations for those students who are unable to attend will be adjusted. We will not be requiring students to make up lost work or class time who are observing Yom Kippur.
Launch of in-person instruction
Stay tuned...more to come next week regarding the opening of school for those families who chose to attend virtually per our Choice Forward cohort model. We have received numerous emails from families asking to move from virtual to in-person instruction, and/or change their days of in person instruction. We have to launch with our initial plan with no adjustments. We appreciate your patience and will open up new choice options when we are able.
Family Group and Committee to launch soon
If your child has not already filled out their survey regarding their choice for Family Group or Committee the window is closing! We will be placing all students who have not responded by the end of the day on Monday. Students will find out early next week which Family Group and Committee they will be a part of.
Have a wonderful and restful weekend.
Peace,
Deb
Reopen ICSD Update (9/16/2020) - Hybrid Learning Beginning Oct. 5 - more details at this link.
If you have questions or concerns about this plan, please contact school district administrators and Board of Education Members.
REMINDER TO LACS CAREGIVERS and STUDENTS
You are invited to an LACS Family Orientation TONIGHT, Wednesday 9/16/20, from 6-8pm. This evening will be an open forum for you to ask questions about LACS. Click here to check out the Facebook event. Tonight, you can click on this Google Meet link to join the event.
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
6-6:30 - New Family Orientation - We welcome you to attend if you are a family new to LACS this year. This will be an open time for you to ask questions and hear from other caregivers and staff.
6:30-7:30 - All Family Orientation - Overview of LACS resources- Facebook page, website, Who to contact for questions, and time to ask questions of other caregivers and staff.
7:30-8 - Organization Support - Supporting your student with organization during virtual times
We welcome you to log on and off to this meeting during any time.
We have missed you all so much!
The start of the 2020-21 academic year is finally upon us. The anticipation of being together as a whole school community is filling our hearts and minds with joy. The “new normal” that we find ourselves preparing for can seem overwhelming. Our lives will continue to be impacted by the pandemic. And, we as a school community will continue to lean forward into the movement for social justice and equity. We will begin our year adjusting to the time that we are in, standing strong as a community and embracing the pillars of our alternative and democratic approach to education.
The first few days of school will focus on building community, establishing routines for self care, practicing routines for robust virtual engagement and exploring the ways in which we will engage in the democratic process while in the virtual learning world.
Great appreciation goes out to the students, caregivers and staff who met together all summer to create our LACS plan for reopening. We have appreciated your patience with us as we navigated this process. I hope that the information provided below is helpful to you.
Peace,
Deb
Message from ICSD:
Change to Start of Academic Year - Letter to the Community
Reopening FAQs linked here, updated frequently: Ithaca City School District
LACS Weekly Schedule
All students will attend classes 4 days a week and engage in projects and service experiences each Wednesday. Students will engage in synchronous (with a teacher and classmates) learning for 90 minutes a week and work asynchronously (self directed) for 90 minutes a week for each course. What this looks like for each course will be explored during the first week of instruction. Students will be choosing a Committee, Family Group and Projects once school opens.
LACS is opening the school year with this weekly schedule: LACS Weekly Schedule
Student Schedules Update
Student schedules will go out by Friday, September 11th via direct student email. (Great reminder to charge your Chromebooks!) That communication will also include more details around what our first week will look like (Orientation, classes, links, etc!). Please reach out to Lisa if your student needs help accessing their email.
Orientation and what to expect on the first week of school
We look forward to continuing the LACS Orientation tradition of welcoming new students only on the first day (Monday, 9/14) followed by an All School Orientation Tuesday and Wednesday (9/15, 9/16). The first day of Cycle 1 classes will be Thursday, 9/17. Stay tuned for more information next week!
Supplies & Books
There are 2 ways to receive supplies. Staff will be putting materials together over the next few days to either send home via bus or they can be picked up at LACS starting Thursday afternoon. Please fill out the sign-up link for what works best for your family:
Pick up at LACS. Thursday (9/10) 4pm,-5pm, or Friday (9/11) 4-pm-5-pm
Delivery via school bus starting Thursday, 9/10
Staff are also populating this document as we meet over the next week. Once you have the schedule, you can check this for both what is being sent home and what are some suggested supplies for specific classes. We do not want you to stress or make an extra trip out for materials you might see suggested, so please reach out to Lisa for any help, anytime. Material list by class (in progress)
Chromebooks!
Your Student’s Chromebook: Please make sure your school issued chromebook is charged and works, prior to September 14th. If you have a chromebook issue please complete this form and someone from the ICSD Technology department will contact you. If you do NOT have a chromebook, please complete the same form.
Meals
Free Grab-and-Go School Meals
September 14 - October 2
From Monday, September 14 through Friday, October 2, we will be offering free grab-and-go meals (breakfast and lunch) for any child. The meals will be available for pickup between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Monday through Friday at each school building. Families can place their school meal orders using our online form (see below for more information). Masks will be required during meal pickup.
Menu Options
For lunch, students have the choice between a daily main menu item (view here) and a homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PBJ). Breakfasts will be pre-packaged meals.
How to Order
To order school meals for pickup, complete the form below (or click here). You will only need to complete the form ONCE for all three weeks (September 14 - October 2) for all children in your household. If you need assistance completing the form, call the Child Nutrition Office at 607-274-2302. Please place your orders by September 10.
--
Deborah Ptak, Principal
Lehman Alternative Community School
111 Chestnut Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-351-6963