A Message from the Principals
We are very excited to welcome you back to our “virtual halls” on April 14, 2020. We have missed you and look forward to engaging with you, laughing with you, working with you and reconnecting as a Gunston family. The next part of our year may look different, but we have been working hard to create the best possible experience for all our eagles. The strength of our community will keep us moving on our journey forward.
As we embark on our Distance Learning Plan, we recognize it can present different opportunities and challenges for families and students. While our number one goal is to continue high-quality instruction, we recognized and considered the challenges and obstacles our students and families may face in the upcoming weeks as we created our new master schedule. Our teachers have been working on their Blackboard FCPS 24-7 sites, learning how to facilitate lessons online in the Blackboard Collaborate Ultra platform (the FCPS-approved virtual meeting platform), reviewing learning packets provided by FCPS Instructional Services, and planning for their first week of virtual instruction. Students and families can access this platform from various devices through links on their teacher’s “classroom” via FCPS 24-7 Learning pages. I am proud of the hard work and creativity our outstanding Gunston teachers continue to demonstrate on behalf of our students and families! We all appreciate your patience and understanding as our teachers and staff learn how to navigate this new way of learning for the remainder of the school year!
We hope you enjoy your Spring Break and do something to make you smile! We can’t wait to see your faces in our virtual classrooms!
Included in this Gazette, we have provided a visual of what the virtual learning week will look like, links to individual grade level schedules, tips on how to be successful and a kickoff to our learning with a virtual Back to School Event on April 13th.
Fondly,
Kristen Rucinski and Courtney White
Gunston Instructional Schedule
We have created a schedule staggering as many learning blocks possible in order to support families who share devices. In addition, we provided a variety of choice synchronous learning opportunities from our specialists at different times to best accommodate the need to be flexible. Please note that the choice opportunities on specific grade level schedules are voluntary, creating an opportunity for students to choose which content they may want to connect with in a live virtual setting. In addition, our specialists will continue to post asynchronous activities on their Blackboard page for students to access at their leisure.
Master Schedule
Individual Grade Level Schedules
located here
The grade level schedules will also posted on grade level Blackboard sites starting April 13th.
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Virtual Teacher Directed Instruction: Teachers will provide one-hour of teacher directed instruction daily Monday through Thursday. We invite Gunston Eagles for live virtual lessons at the scheduled time. You also have the option to have your student watch the recorded lessons at a time that works best for your family. For the first week of instruction, our focus will be to rebuild relationships and community with our students and to help students learn the routines and tools of virtual learning as we review previous content.
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Virtual Office Hours: Teachers will be “live” and available for individual or small group student support for one hour each day Monday through Thursday. Teachers have been asked to respond to any email messages outside of their office hours within one business day. Friday’s are reserved for Professional Development, teacher planning and meetings with grade level teams, administrators, and staff. On these days, students may engage in independent activities as referenced in the schedule.
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FCPS Learning Packets: For the first two weeks, learning packets provide review for essential standards for each grade level. The subsequent packets will provide both new content and review of previously taught concepts. Packets have been mailed to students, and we are aware that the first set of packets arrived late. The packets are also available electronically in FCPS 24/7 Learning (Blackboard) and can be printed at home. Please use this opt out link to stop receiving the printed instructional packets in the mail. You will need your student’s ID number and your e-mail address to access the opt out system.
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Independent Learning: Students should engage in independent learning each day, using the FCPS learning packets, activities or projects provided by teachers, lessons provided by specialists, Channel 21, and health and fitness activities as directed by the family. There is flexibility in the daily schedule for families to create their own routines that best meet their needs.
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FCPS cable channels - Instructional programming has been provided throughout the day and may be accessed through a cable television network for Fairfax County residents or via a live web streaming service. Channel 21 provides elementary school content, Channel 25 offers middle school content, and Channel 99 offers high school content. New elementary learning videos have been developed and will continue to be rolled out on Channel 21 specifically to support distance learning, with a special focus on literacy and mathematics.
Virtual Back to School Event Schedule
Monday, April 13th
Teachers will provide Blackboard Collaborate Ultra links by email or on google classroom. Teachers will share expectations around the schedule and how they will be available during distance learning. All sessions will be recorded and posted on the grade level Blackboard 24/7 site in case you cannot attend.
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Time
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Grade Level
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12:00pm – 12:30pm
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Pre-K & Kindergarten
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12:45pm – 1:15pm
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Grades 1 & 2
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1:30pm – 2:00pm
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Grades 3 & 4
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2:15pm – 2:45pm
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Grades 5 & 6
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Digital Learning 101
What is synchronous versus asynchronous learning?
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Synchronous Learning
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Asynchronous Learning
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· Direct interaction between teachers and students in real time
· Students learn at the same time, often at a scheduled class time
· Requires students and teachers to be online at a specific time
· Allows for instant feedback and clarification
· Checking in, Q & A, discussions and presentations occur at specific times in an online setting
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· Communication is not live in real-time
· Teachers provide materials (videos, assignments, activities, links) that students can access at different times
· Students learn at different times throughout the week
· Flexible and allows students to work at their own pace
· Feedback is provided to the student through collaborative tools and email
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What resource will my student be working on?
- FCPS 24-7 Learning/Blackboard
Where will they complete the assignment?
FCPS 24-7 Learning/Blackboard, Google Classroom, or an alternative application
How will I know what grade they earned?
- No grades will be assigned to work completed after 3/13/2020. Teachers will provide feedback on the work being completed moving forward.
Essential Tips for Working and Learning from Home
Here are a few tips to help students find success in this new environment:
- Take a deep breath
- Continue to maintain family norms and be supportive
- Know that you are doing the best you can
- Celebrate your accomplishments and progress
FCPS Resources:
FCPS 24-7 Learning/Blackboard
https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/fcps-24-7-learning
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