From the Principal
Family,
The South County Pyramid Principals wanted to send a unified message that would provide you information about grading and the schedule for distance learning that will begin on April 14. We understand that families have children who are in more than one school in our pyramid and we wanted to put out one piece of information to make things a little bit easier for you to handle.
GRADING
Elementary Students:
No fourth quarter grades will be assigned to elementary students due to equity issues of access to technology and limited student ability to submit work during distance learning. Elementary students will engage in teacher-led and independent learning. Learning packets will be distributed by mail to all PK-6 students beginning the week of March 30 and ending the week June 8. Literacy and math content will also be made available on FCPS Cable Channel 21.
Middle/High School Students:
The School Board was briefed that no student work assigned after March 13 will be graded, at the recommendation of VDOE; however, work assigned prior to March 13 will still be accepted up until April 24 in order to be applied in the calculation of students’ third quarter grades. Additionally, it is the intention of FCPS to use maximum flexibility in assessing and evaluating student learning for the remainder of the school year. To that end, middle school and high school students will be assigned a “no mark” for the fourth quarter, with assignments submitted being allowed to positively influence the student’s overall grade for the year based on mastery of learning concepts, in accordance with FCPS grading policy. Only final grades will be shown on transcripts; a “no mark” will not show on a student’s final transcript.
SCHEDULE
Elementary School Students:
Teachers will provide an hour of virtual instruction and be available for one hour of “office” time to provide individual and small group support Monday through Thursday. More detailed schedules will be sent by each elementary school.
Learning Activities
- Students will have access to weekly print activities through centrally created and distributed learning packets.
- Students will engage with the teacher in virtual chat as detailed in the school schedule.
- Video lessons available on cable Channel 21 and through Channel 21 web streaming.
- Teachers created activities will be posted in FCPS 24-7 Blackboard to ensure caregiver access.
- G Suite and Google Classroom may be used for students to complete activities.
- Students should have both off and on-screen learning activities.
Students are encouraged to:
- Complete the weekly packets from FCPS
- Use MyON and DreamBox daily
- Spend time reading and discussing what they are reading
- Participate in class meetings and lessons
- Check and complete assignments posted in FCPS 24-7/Blackboard
Please see Blackboard 24-7 for more information from your child’s teacher and to obtain the link for virtual classroom meetings/lessons via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Teachers will continue to be available via email or phone and will answer parent communication within 24-48 hours.
Middle and High School Students:
Distance learning for students begins on April 14. Students should check their Blackboard accounts for messages and updates from their teachers. Each teacher will provide the following information prior to April 14.
- Blackboard Collaborate Ultra link
- At the start of each class, students just need to click on the link
- This link will automatically connect them to the classroom
- Office hours times and days
|
|
As we transition to this Distance Learning model of instruction, we are also focused on supporting the social and emotional needs of our students. Our Student Services and Mental Health team will be collaborating with our teachers during this transition, but please do not hesitate to reach out to a counselor if you need any assistance.
We are looking forward to beginning this new learning experience with you and to “get back to school.” If you have questions, concerns, or just want to say hello please reach out to us directly. #OnePyramid
Be Well and Best Regards,
Janice Dalton, Principal, Laurel Hill Elementary School
Melaney Mackin, Principal, Silverbrook Elementary School
Kerry Peerman, Principal, Halley Elementary School
Angela Thompson, Principal, Newington Forest Elementary School
Peter Kownacki, Principal, South County Middle School
Gary Morris, Principal, South County High School
Yearbook
YEARBOOK STAFF NEEDS YOUR HELP
The first task we need help with is we want to do a page on 2019-2020 trends, but we need pictures. These can be hair trends, jewelry trends, shoe trends, technology trends, food trends, stickers, computers, backpacks, make up, etc, etc, etc. Whatever things you think have helped define the look of this school year. If you have an idea, snap a picture of it and email it to jldelinski@fcps.edu. Include your name and what the trend is that you are representing.
The second task is we are looking for senior athletes. We are doing a story about how the Spring 2020 season got canceled and what that means for the athletes who spent the year preparing—especially those athletes who were preparing for their last high school season. What do you want to share with the school? What do you want to remember? What do you want to pass on?
If you have any quotes to share, please email your thoughts to jldelinski@fcps.edu. Include your name and what sport you play.:
Yearbook Online Sales extended
Students are working hard to make sure a yearbook is produced to reflect the year as a whole. Due to the cancellation of on-site schooling, online sales are being extended. Information about yearbook distribution will be sent out at a later date. Get your yearbook online today. www.yearbookforever.com ”
On the Line
Weekly Updates for Stallions:
VHSL One Act State Champs
VHSL 6A Boys Basketball State Champs
Largest DECA Chapter in VA
Regional Science Fair Winners:
1st Place Environmental Engineering- Catherine Resta
2nd Place Plant Sciences- Laila Leak & Gracyn Redding
3rd Place Chemistry- Jayden Blackmon, Asma Abdi
& Lydia Addisalem
3rd Place Physics and Astronomy- Brandon Dawson & Elliot Evans
Honorable Mention- Material Science- Mand Jasmin
Microbiology- Jordan Tran & Annie Tran
Animal Sciences- Phoebe Ngo
Chemistry- Ronit Reddy, Taylor Le
& Mugi Murugavel
Join us for quaran-STREAM: Answers for COVID-19
- ask your questions
- raise your concerns
- bring your ideas
We are a community and we will get through this together.
Thursdays and Sundays @ 7pm on Facebook and Instagram Live
bit.ly/QuaranSTREAM
This Thursday, information will be provided in English, Spanish, Arabic and Korean.
Mental Health Resources | 24/7 Emergency Numbers
If you are in crisis, text NEEDHELP to 85511, call 1-800-273-TALK, or dial 911; TTY dial 711
CrisisLink Regional Hotline: 703-527-4077 (CrisisLink is a hotline for individuals in crisis or family/friends seeking guidance for how to help a loved one)
Dominion Hospital Assessment and Referral Line: 703-536-2000
Inova Emergency Services: 703-289-7560
Mobile Crisis Unit: 1-844-627-4747
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE
HB/JC/MB/DB
|
