|
Dear Franklin Students and Families,
Good morning! I hope that all of you had a relaxing and enjoyable Spring Break. We have lots of learning planned and we can’t wait for you to see our faces and for us to see you this week!
Distance Learning Meeting for Parents Today at 1:00
This is a quick reminder that we will be offering an All About Distance Learning video-conference for parents on today at 1:00 PM. The link for the video-conference can be found here. If you are unable to attend the session, it will be recorded and shared with all of you. Please share your questions regarding Distance Learning here. This form is designed for general questions to be answered during the meeting. If you have a question specific to your student or family please email me directly: dpwright@fcps.edu
Parent Session Video-Conference Link
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/d89df03bd1dd46f6b2286b7ecd26e2e9
Parent Session Dial-In Option: Call in using your phone. Attendees using this PIN appear as anonymous callers in the session.
Dial-In Number: +1-571-392-7650
PIN: 471 820 8786
For your convenience, I have included some information below that was sent out before Spring Break. We are all excited to begin this new learning experience together with you and to “get back to school.” I look forward to hearing about your first week back. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to say hello, please email me at dpwright@fcps.edu.
Sincerely,
Dustin Wright
Principal
What is Distance Learning?
During the remainder of the school year, each of us will be engaged in distance learning. Distance learning is a learning experience in which teachers and students are separated by place. They communicate synchronously (through live face-to-face classes using virtual meeting technology), as well as asynchronously (through print or electronic media).
Face-to-face virtual meetings will be held primarily on a tool called Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Classes will be recorded and posted to your teacher’s Blackboard site for your reference. All class materials will be posted in FCPS 24/7 Learning(Blackboard) for distance learning. This may be a bit different than the regular school year. Teachers can still use Google Docs/Google Classroom to communicate with students and collect work, but it will not be the primary communication tool for parents.
Learning Packets
Each week students will be mailed a distance learning packet (the first packet should be at your house later this week),will have access to materials in FCPS 24/7 Learning (Blackboard) and will be expected to participate in synchronous online classes on Wednesday and Friday to review concepts, review the packet, and learn and practice new concepts as instructed by your classroom teachers. Your classroom teachers will be in contact with you with their schedule and expectations this week.
FMS Schedule for Distance Learning
Below is the Distance Learning schedule that Franklin MS will implement. It includes a schedule for Wednesdays and Fridays when each class period will meet in an online synchronous session. Currently at the middle school level, synchronous sessions will occur once a week in student’s Math, English, Science, History, ESOL, Academic Support electives, and HS credit World Language classes. Electives and PE classes will provide activities for students to complete in the asynchronous (non face-to-face) environment. Our elective and PE teachers will be reaching out to their students with additional details. Students are expected to attend the live class times on Wednesday and Friday and are expected to complete teacher-directed learning activities on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
In addition, your teachers will have office hours on Tuesday and Thursday. These office hours will be communicated with you by each teacher soon. Office hours are a time when you can sign on to Blackboard Collaborate or email with your teachers to consult with them regarding your assignments, questions, and concerns.
FMS School Schedule (begins April 13, 2020).
Classes begin April 15, 2020.
Monday: Students complete independent or collaborative work and learning packets.
Tuesday: Students complete independent or collaborative work and learning packets.
Wednesday: Bell Schedule by Period
|
1st Period
|
9:15-10:00
|
|
3rd Period
|
10:30-11:15
|
|
Lunch Break
|
|
|
5th Period
|
12:15-1:00
|
|
7th Period
|
1:30-2:15
|
Thursday: Students complete independent or collaborative work and learning packets.
Friday: Bell Schedule by Period
|
2nd Period
|
9:15-10:00
|
|
4th Period
|
10:30-11:15
|
|
Lunch Break
|
|
|
6th Period
|
12:15-1:00
|
Expectations for Distance Learning
Your student’s Math, English, Science, History, ESOL, Academic Support electives, and HS credit World Language class will have 45-minute synchronous, face-to-face online sessions every Wednesday or Friday. Outside of the scheduled class times for 45 minutes/week, students will be expected to work independently on assignments, activities, and coursework. The work assigned may be independent or collaborative and it may include watching pre-recorded video lessons, reading for a purpose, participating in an online discussion, and completing assignments posted on Blackboard or Google Classroom.
Distance Learning Attendance
All students are expected to participate in the virtual face to face classes. Teachers and our counselors will follow up with families of those students who do not attend class each week. Attendance is important for students to maintain a continuity of learning, to acquire new content from the 4th quarter, to develop ongoing connections between teachers and peers, and to establish a sense of normalcy and routine during a stressful time. Please feel free to reach out to a member of the FMS staff at any time if you have any questions or concerns about your student’s ability to engage with this distance learning model.
Grading
The third quarter has been extended to April 24. New assignments for the 3rd Quarter closed on March 13. No student work that was due after March 13 will be graded and 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. Students will have the opportunity to turn in missing work and for reassessment to demonstrate mastery. 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 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. I will continue to communicate grading updates to students and families as we receive them.
Student Supports for ESOL and Special Education
The FMS staff is working hard to prepare distance learning materials to ensure that all students have access to educational materials and activities, including our English learners and students with Individualized Education Programs and 504 Plans. Numerous supports, modifications, and services may be effectively provided online and our team will be contacting students and families with additional details and resources.
Counselors and Student Services
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 team will be collaborating with our teachers during this transition. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s counselor if you need any assistance.
What To Do Between Now and April 13
Before we get started the week of April 13th, there are a few things you will need:
- Your computer
- Access to the internet
- A place where you can listen and learn
- If you have a headset or earphones, that would be helpful
If you need help with your computer or internet access, please contact Mr. Gibbs (ragibbs@fcps.edu) as soon as possible.
This is also a good time to familiarize yourself with Blackboard and to have your student show you the Google Classrooms that they have been working with this year. Before the end of this week, all of your student’s teachers should be sending a message or doing a class activity to which each student needs to respond. If your student hasn’t heard from their teachers, please feel free to contact them.
|
