Watertown Public Schools
Distance Learning Parent Guide
What is Distance Learning? Why are we doing it?
Distance learning is an educational option that allows students to continue learning any time, anywhere. Now that our schools will be closed longer than we first thought, we want to make sure students are still able to learn from their teachers.
On March 12, 2020, the Governor announced that he was waiving the 180-day school year requirement for all school districts amid growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Because of the 180-day waiver and the implementation of distance learning, we will not be required to make up the days missed during this COVID-19 closure. Watertown Public Schools will end the school year on June 17, 2020 as originally planned.
In order to continue education for all learners to the greatest extent possible during this long-term closure, Watertown Public Schools will use an Asynchronous Distance Learning Model. This site will provide guidelines and directions for families in a “Question and Answer” format to help navigate this new model. Additionally, you will find live links to tips, tricks and tutorials, UNDERLINED.
Distance learning officially began on Monday, March 30th.
What is Asynchronous Distance Learning?
In a Distance Learning Model, teachers prepare lessons that students complete when away from the physical school building in lieu of face-to-face learning and tasks that would ordinarily take place at school. Distance Learning is different from supplemental learning in that the completion of distance learning activities is required.
Asynchronous means that teachers post instruction and learning materials online. Students engage with class materials and complete assignments at their own pace within a given timeframe, versus in live-time. Given the variability of internet access, bandwidth and student availability, teachers cannot generally provide live-stream learning.
Parent's/Guardian's Role
Parents are encouraged to:
Provide a space and time that will be dedicated to completing each day’s learning activities
Ensure students can access the school provided resources
Remember to incorporate time to move! It is common for students to get up and move around, wiggle, or even chat with friends multiple times throughout the day
Check in throughout the day to see if their student is doing the work or is having any difficulties
Ensure students are being safe and responsible in their technology use
Communicate questions, ideas and concerns with the school
Student's Role
Students are expected to:
Check Google Classrooms for each teacher, each day, for lessons and assignments
Take responsibility for their learning, and complete work to the best of their ability
Reach out to the teacher and ask for help if they are confused or if they are having trouble keeping up
Take good care of the device they are using, regardless of whether it is a home device or school issued
Demonstrate appropriate language and good manners when communicating using technology
Wear appropriate attire in alignment with school dress code when using video features
Only utilize the email option in their school Google account to communicate with teachers.
Questions & Answers
What will distance learning look like for teachers and students?
Teachers will post instruction and directions for learning tasks with due dates in Google Classroom. (Check out the Google tutorials in the Tips, Tricks & Tools section below). Students will have the opportunity to participate and complete assignments at their own pace, but within a given time frame prior to the due date the teacher has provided.
What if my student cannot find a Google Classroom for one or more of their teachers?
Watertown High School has a School-Wide Google Classroom that provides access to all teachers’ Google Classrooms. This can be accessed by clicking HERE. (Class code for WHS School-Wide Google Classroom = 42wxcms).
Directories of teacher classroom codes for the rest of Watertown Public Schools can be found on the on the Watertown Public Schools Website Covid-19 Page or by clicking on your child’s school below:
What is Google Classroom?
Google Classroom is a free web service that can be accessed from anywhere at any time. It aims to simplify creating, distributing, and grading assignments in a paperless way. The primary purpose of Google Classroom is to streamline the process of sharing files between teachers and students. Click HERE for a parent's guide to Google Classroom.
How can I see what my student is being required to do?
The easiest option is to log into your student’s Google Account. Ask your student for his/her credentials and sign in as them to see what is expected. A tutorial for signing in is included in the tutorial section below, but can also be found by clicking HERE.
Will there be any small group work? How might this work?
In some instances, a teacher may want to hold individual or small group instruction in "live time". Prior to providing a student or students with this option, the teacher should consider some of the challenges of live time (synchronous) learning (e.g. limited access to a device, bandwidth, student availability, etc.).
If a teacher decides to move forward with a live (synchronous) learning opportunity, the teacher will reach out to the parent/guardian to determine interest, and to try to find a mutually agreed upon time. If a parent/guardian is not comfortable with this for any reason, they can inform the teacher and elect not to participate. Teachers should also provide an asynchronous option when possible.
What about specials, unified arts and electives?
All teachers are expected to use Google Classroom to post instructions and tasks, including teachers of more specialized classes. In grades K-5, special area teachers will post one lesson per grade level per week. Unified Arts and Elective Teachers will post lessons in alignment with their typical schedules.
How will my student communicate with his/her teacher(s)? How can my student ask a question or for help/support?
Teachers will be available to offer support and answer questions digitally between the hours of 11:00-3:00. Please note that responses may not necessarily be immediate, or in live time, but you can expect a response somewhere within this time frame.
Teachers will share their most preferred method of communication directly with families, which may include, but is not limited to email exchanges right through Google, private or public comments through the Stream option in Google Classroom, a live chat, such as through Google Hangout or messages sent through various popular platforms such as Remind, Bloomz or Dojo.
What if my student is having difficulty?
If your student is having difficulty understanding the work or is having trouble keeping up, he/she should communicate with the teacher about this during the 11:00-3:00 time frame. In addition, parents/guardians should reach out to the teacher to request help or support.
What about attendance?
Attendance will be tracked through work completion. Therefore, parents/guardians are not expected to “call students in sick.” The purpose of tracking participation is to gauge the well-being of students and to ensure students are continuously engaged and learning.
If a student is not completing his/her assignments in a timely fashion, the teacher will reach out to families first. If concerns continue or additional resources are needed, teachers will work with their building administrator to determine next steps.
What will happen with state testing, i.e. SBAC. NGSS, SAT?
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has indicated that there will be no end-of-year testing (SBAC, NGSS, CT SAT, CTAA and CTAS) and no Next Generation Accountability for the 2019-20 school year.
The CSDE is aware that many students use the "no cost" CT SAT for college placement. The CSDE is working closely with the College Board to offer interested grade 11 students the opportunity to take the SAT on a weekend administration at no cost. More details will be shared with schools as soon as they are available.
How can I provide more structure for my student?
As already indicated, learning is asynchronous, meaning that there is flexibility in when students must log on and complete assignments. However, some families may want to provide more structure around learning time in the home. Suggested structures for at home learning days are below:
NOTE: The schedules above are not required; they are suggested structures for at home learning days.
Technical Support
The teacher is always a good place to start. If problems persist, please contact Jeff Turner, Director of Technology by emailing turnerje@watertownps.org.
If you have any COVID-19 or Distance Learning Questions, please send a message to questions@watertownps.org.
#WatertownCares
Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen countless acts of care across our community. As a district, we are grateful for the ways community members have stepped up to support our students and staff. From Story-Time on Twitter Live to creating a drive-by library to teachers calling to check in on their students, we are reminded that Watertown Cares!
To date, Watertown Public Schools have served over 1,900 meals to students and will continue the Grab and Go Lunch Program while the schools are closed. To support the shift to distance learning, the district has distributed over 400 chromebooks to students across our community!
Please share examples of how our community continues to cares for each other via social media using #WatertownCares!