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Hello West Potomac Families!
I hope that you have had an opportunity to read the Distance Learning Plan information (fcps.edu) sent out by Dr. Brabrand yesterday.
Beginning this Monday, March 30,teachers will participate in a week long professional development plan. West Potomac faculty and staff will be preparing for synchronous (virtual teacher directed) and asynchronous (subject area office hours-student directed) instruction, which will begin after spring break on Tuesday, April 14th. Also, will begin working with students to update their grades/work for 3rd quarter (up to 3/13).The goal is to continue to give students and teachers time to finalize 3rd quarter grades. This opportunity will be available to the students through April 24th. Many teachers have already begun this process with students via Google Classroom.
Beginning Tuesday April 14th after spring break, new daily instruction will begin. On Monday, March 30th we will post the virtual bell schedule for West Potomac. As stated in Dr. Brabrand’s letter, the goal of the distance learning plan is not to recreate the normal school day but it is to establish daily routines and expectations while supporting the continuation of learning.
West Potomac has been closely following the guidance and expectations outlined by Dr. Brabrand and VDOE regarding instruction since the beginning of our closure. New instruction was not authorized during that time. Only, as I have stated in all my communications, make up work from 3rd quarter (3/13) and prior was authorized.
Some of you may have seen that other schools were reaching out to students virtually using unauthorized applications like Zoom and Google Meets. This was not sanctioned by FCPS. We will be using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra to have our virtual classes because it is the student information secured site that FCPS IT sanctions. Teachers will continue to use Google Classroom as the primary classroom online environment while maintaining their Blackboard sites to provide parents with and overview of weekly learning, deadlines, and overall expectations.
As always, please continue to stay safe and healthy as the world navigates this pandemic.
Ms. Millard
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