Two Hour Delay Kent Gardens Update

Two Hour Delay - Update to our School Day

Dear Parents,

 

It was wonderful to kick off day one of Distance Learning yesterday.  Teachers, students and parents communicated the excitement to see each other (albeit virtually) and begin instruction once again.  As you have seen in your FCPS correspondence, a message was sent late last night indicating that there will be a two hour delay. There were some breeches in security with the guest link accounts amongst our secondary schools that caused the immediate need to tighten security. 

 

Our staff met at 9 a.m. to review the updated secure access to the Blackboard Collaborate Ultra course.  We will no longer be accessing through an emailed nor posted guest link.  Students will access directly through the teacher Blackboard 24/7 course. It will be the student who is responsible for logging into the session through his/her student login. The login is connected to his/her SIS account. 

 

Watch this informational video created by Nishi Langhorne, SBTS at McLean on the new revised way for  students to access to Blackboard Collaborate Ultra courses.  There will be minor variances if there is a shared grade level Blackboard 24/7 course. 

 

Teachers will post an update to class times on their Blackboard 24/7 course under announcements for students as soon as their times are readjusted for the day.  We hope this will help balance the need for students to receive information while parents are working.

 

As we work to foster a safe environment, please do note the following tips for a successful virtual learning environment:

  • Use Google Chrome as your internet browser
  • Note that when the video is on and volume is on during ‘share’ time – all participants can see and hear those in the background. We recommend being mindful of the setting during the learning sessions.
  • Keep microphones on ‘mute’ to alleviate background noise and unmute to speak.

Students may work on their learning packets and other teacher generated learning materials.  These resources remain available on Blackboard 24/7 Learning.  Let your teachers know if you need additional support and we will work to help troubleshoot.

Thanks again for your patience and support.  We will continue to monitor security and also the scheduling of the virtual classroom sessions. #kgpride #strongertogether #inspire

 

Holly McGuigan               Pier McGrath                                  Tia Hawkins

Principal                           Assistant Principal                         Assistant Principal