Return to Virtual Instruction on Monday

Virtual Instruction to Resume Monday, April 27

This week, FCPS paused virtual learning in order to balance user load on platforms while maintaining a secure environment for our students.  We are pleased to share that virtual instruction is scheduled to resume at Forestdale on Monday, April 27.  We appreciate our Forestdale families’ patience, flexibility, and understanding as the county worked to find a safe, secure, and accessible solution for students and staff.  We know students have been working hard on their asynchronous work this week, and we are excited to “see” them again virtually on Monday.

What is the same?

  • Teachers’ virtual learning and office hours schedules have not changed.
  • We will continue to use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU) as the face-to-face virtual platform for students, just as before.
  • Calling in by telephone is still an option.
  • Asynchronous learning tasks will continue to be available to ALL students via FCPS mailed packets, Elementary Resources on the FCPS Distance Learning Blackboard 24-7 course, Channel 21 programming, and through the Forestdale Blackboard 24-7 course.

What will be different now?

  • There will no longer be “open” links to the BBCU virtual classrooms.
  • Forestdale teachers have created individualized secure links to BBCU that have been sent directly to students via their FCPS Google Apps email. 
  • To initially access the link, students will have to log into the FCPS G-Suite (FCPS Google Apps) account to access the link sent to their Google Apps email.  Step-by-step directions for accessing the link in student email can be found in this video.  The username/password used for logging in to their Google Apps account is the same information used to access the FCPS Blackboard 24-7 page – your child’s 7-digit ID number and secret password.
  • Each student has a unique link specifically for them; their link cannot be used by anyone else while they are accessing the virtual classroom.
  • The link does not require additional log-on steps or access to the Blackboard 24-7 portal. Once the student clicks on his link, he will enter the secure classroom.
  • Students and families should save the link; the same link can be used for both virtual instruction and office hours for the rest of the year.
    • Students needing to call in to the class via phone will need to access their virtual link for a one-time initial setup and then will receive a user-specific PIN for the telephone line.  Teachers can support families in accessing that information if needed.

Teachers have been communicating directly with families regarding access to their newly created courses.  Should you and your child not be able to locate their individualized login link, please let your child’s teacher know prior to virtual instruction on Monday. 

The process has been successfully piloted by teachers the past two days.  By every indication, the revamped login process will yield success for our students and staff.

Our Forestdale teachers and staff deserve our utmost gratitude for their continued efforts, flexibility, and for staying focused on what’s most important- our children and their learning.  We know they are eager to reconnect with their students and that they will continue to support students and families with the new login process next week.  Thank you for your ongoing patience and support during these new and unprecedented times; we are beyond grateful to you, our partners in your child’s education. 


Updated Third Quarter Grading Timeline

Due to the recent pause in teacher-led “live” instruction, the third quarter has been extended until Friday, May 1, 2020.  Grades will be available in ParentVUE/StudentVUE on Saturday, May 9.  Report card mailings to all parents/guardians who have not opted into electronic delivery will begin on May 12, 2020.  


Screenshot of Forestdale Blackboard 24-7 Course

Additional Asynchronous Resources for All Students

In addition to grade-level core instructional materials, families are encouraged to check out supplemental resources for asynchronous learning, including resources for specials (art, music, physical education, library), social/emotional wellness, and Advanced Academics resources.

Specials

During distance learning at home, don’t forget to stretch, sing, dance, draw, read, and move!  Your child’s specials teachers (art, music, physical education, and library) are uploading new activities and lessons each week for all grades, so be sure to check them out!

 

Social/Emotional Wellness Resources

Throughout the day, children need movement brain breaks and resources to support them when they are frustrated, angry, tired, or even bored.  Additionally, we adults have also been presented with new challenges during this difficult and unprecedented time.  The Social/Emotional Wellness button houses videos, weblinks, activity sheets, information, and other resources for students as well as a wealth of resources for parents and guardians.  This button will continue to be updated with additional activities and resources.

Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Resources

Resources for all students can be accessed on the AAP tab such as monthly creative thinking puzzlers and weekly creative thinking boards.  These are great extension activities for students of all ages!


An Important Message from the Forestdale Staff

While we worked out the “kinks” to our distance learning, the Forestdale staff worked on this very important message for our students and families.  We miss and love you, Falcons, and we look forward to being back together again next week!

Falcons Video Image