Message from Dr. Cipperly
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Dear Parents & Guardians,
This certainly has been an unsettled time in our lives. We miss our students and are preparing for a continuation of the learning albeit in a different format! Teachers virtually reported back to work this week. They are using the week to collaborate and plan for distance learning. Please note that this is a complete shift in the way we work as educators and the way your students work as learners. We want to ensure that we are thoughtful in our planning so that your student's online learning experience is clear and accessible. It is also critically important that we remain flexible in our thinking. Just as many of you are learning how to work from home while your children are at home, the same is true for our teachers. Below are some questions with answers to help guide you in the following weeks.
What should my child be doing this week?
Work on any 3rd quarter work that was assigned before March 13th that your student may have been missing. The quarter is closed; however, your student has until April 24th to turn in missing assignments. Please work with teachers for all situations related to third quarter.
- Use the resources in the Continuity of Learning section on Blackboard
- Complete the packet you received this week in the mail. It is an introduction and preparation to online learning from home, in addition to a review of grade-level content. You will receive a packet like this (developed by FCPS Instructional Services) each week through the end of the school year. Our teachers may refer to these packets with students in their Weekly Assignment Sheet.
- Read! Go to the Thoreau library website to find online resources for books.
When will online learning begin with teachers and what will it look like?
Online (or distance) learning classes will begin with teachers on April 14th. The schedule for middle school is pictured below.
 Students will use an online videoconference service called Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, and their teachers will send a link for them to connect to the videoconference of the classes. Students should be checking their FCPS Gmail account (that ends in @fcpsschools.net) and their grade-level Google classrooms regularly. Teachers will post the Weekly Student Assignment for students and parents to see under the Announcements tab on Blackboard. If teachers are using Google classroom, there will be a link for students from their Blackboard sites to Google classroom. Teachers will also hold office hours for students during the week, and they will publish those office hours.
How should parents communicate with their child’s teacher?
- Parents may email their child’s teacher through their Outlook account (ending in @fcps.edu). Expect an answer within 48 hours.
- Please note: You will see “office hours” on the middle school schedule. These are instructional hours and are for student use only.
What about my student's grades?
- Learning activities will be assigned to students for 4th quarter, and teachers will provide students with feedback on this work. All students will receive a "No Mark" for 4th quarter, due to the unique nature of these circumstances.
I know that all of this is a lot to process, and I also know our teachers and students are excited to begin! Our building may be closed, but we are still here for you!
Sincerely,
Catherine M. Cipperly, Ed.D.
Interim Principal
Thoreau Middle School
 How to Stay In-Touch:
Please stay in touch with us throughout the remainder of the year by:
- Email teachers through their FCPS Outlook email address (@fcps.edu). Teachers will answer within 48 hours.
- Keep your contact information (home address and email address) up to date throughout the remainder of the year
- Visit the Thoreau website
- Join the Thoreau PTA
A Simple Thank You Goes a Long Way
Some 8th grade English students at Thoreau have been asked to write a Thank You note to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in our community who are working around the clock to help save lives. These notes will be delivered to community hospitals. If any students, parents or staff at Thoreau would like to create and share Thank You notes for hospital staff, they can email the notes to Thoreau teacher Robyne Davis at: rdavis@fcpsschools.net.
The letter below was written by an 8th grade student, and can be used as both an inspiration and an example for future Thank You notes. Writing these notes can be an excellent way for students to feel connected to the larger community, to express themselves during this time of uncertainty, and to feel empowered because their voice makes a difference. Please consider sharing your voice to show your gratitude. Thank you, take care and stay safe!
Dear Nurse,
I am so thankful to you for caring for sick people during this time of crisis. You are so brave and selfless and risk your own life and health to help people who got sick and rely on you to survive. I am so thankful that people like you exist because without you, the situation would be so much worse, and many people would suffer more. I hope you will have strength and perseverance to continue your self-sacrificing work and not to get sick yourself because your family, your friends, your patients and all of us need you.
Yours,
Nikita
8th Grade Student at Thoreau Middle School
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