|
Dear Parents and Guardians:
We hope this email finds you and your families well as we count down to the start of the 2020-2021 school year. The first day of the 2020-2021 school year is September 8, 2020.
Schoology - Learning Management System
Westfield HS,Stone MS and London Towne ES are piloting part of Schoology (pronounced /SKOO-luh-jee/) during the 2020-2021 school year, Schoology is FCPS’s new learning management system designed to engage with learning materials and our school community.
Schoology is a learning space that enhances face-to-face and distance learning through communication, collaboration, and personalized learning. With Schoology, students can submit homework assignments online, review teacher feedback, participate in interactive discussions, read announcements, take tests, and more. As a parent, you will be able to view:
- your student’s class,
- your student’s participation,
- teacher comments, and
- feedback in Schoology.
As a pilot school, we will be using Schoology for as many student assignments and communications as possible, including staff and classroom communication. Our teachers will be participating in professional development so they can create an engaging, student-centered environment for your student. In early September, you and your student will be given login directions and information about how to use Schoology.
We look forward to using Schoology in our classrooms this fall to enhance connectivity and communication across our school. If you have questions or feedback regarding Schoology, please visit: https://www.fcps.edu/schoology.
Textbook Collection (Reminder)
We had a successful first day of textbook collection on Friday, August 7. Monday, August 10 and Tuesday, August 11 are the next days for students to return their WHS-issued textbooks from the 2019-2020 school year. Please refer here for additional information. If you have questions about the textbook collection, please email Kyle Laspe or Laura Waterman.
Freshman Virtual Bootcamp (Class of 2024)
During the week of August 10, Westfield will host our Freshmen Virtual Bootcamp. Throughout the week, we will post informative videos on the Westfield High School main page. The goal of the Bootcamp is to acquaint students with staff, the building, Student Activities, and the Technology Team.
By the end of the week, a video with current Westfield students sharing their experiences and FAQs will be posted. We hope you find these videos helpful and informative. We recognize our freshmen will not have their school owned laptop when the bootcamp is made available; therefore, the presentation will be posted through at least the first quarter and will be accessible anytime. A school owned computer is not required to access the virtual bootcamp.
Later this month, our counselors will host live virtual information sessions for students to introduce themselves and answer any additional questions.
It is important to check the Westfield High School website and your FCPSschools email accounts to stay abreast of updates and information. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ephraim Hawkins or Cheryl Edwards.
Laptop Distribution for Rising Freshmen (Class of 2024) and New Students to Westfield
Freshmen and new students to Westfield in grades 10-12 will be assigned a school-owned laptop and charger for use during the school year as part of the FCPSOn program.
In order to adhere to social distancing requirements, students will be assigned appointments and these appointments will be emailed to their fcpsschools.net email. Students who cannot attend laptop distribution during their scheduled time must follow the instructions in the email they receive to schedule a make-up appointment. To maintain social distancing requirements, we will limit access to the building to those students with appointments. We respectfully request parents wait for their students outside the building.
Students will enter the school at door 6 (near the tennis courts), reset their passwords if needed, and log in the computer before exiting the building. We estimate this process will take 15 minutes. Students must wear a mask and practice social distancing while in the building.
The dates, times, and students’ alpha block for laptop distribution are below. Additional information and a map will be posted on the Westfield web page in next week's newsletter.
|
Date & Time
|
Student Appointments
|
|
Thursday August 20; 1pm-5pm
|
New students in grades 10-12,
Freshman with last names San-Z during scheduled individual appointments
|
|
Friday August 21; 1pm-5pm
|
Freshman with last names Jad-Sam during scheduled individual appointments
|
|
Monday August 24; 3pm-7pm
|
Freshman with last names A-Jac during scheduled individual appointments
|
|
Tuesday August 25; 4pm-6pm
|
Make up date during scheduled individual appointments
|
|
Laptop Updates for Returning 10-12 Students
Many school owned laptops have not been on the school’s wifi since March and need updates. These updates ensure functionality and access to instruction at the start of the school year. Use the following instructions to remotely update the laptop. Your student does not need to come on campus to update the laptop.
- Plug your laptop in, turn it on and ensure it’s connected to your home internet for at least an hour
- Restart (not shut down or or sleep) your computer by clicking on the start button, then the power icon and restart. Your computer will automatically install updates before restarting.
School Supplies & Materials for Distance Learning
Teachers’ syllabi will inform students of the supplies they will need for their classes. We are offering the following general suggested items for you and your student to consider purchasing before the first class meeting.
- Loose Leaf paper
- Writing Utensils (Pens, Pencils)
- Binders (Consider organizing for “A” Day Classes and “B” Day Classes)
- Folders & Spiral Notebooks
- Headphones or earbuds with a microphone (bluetooth, USB or single 3.5mm jack to connect to the school issued laptop)
Dates, Events, and Points of Contact
Below is our updated dates and events calendar. In next week’s communication, we will provide more details on our laptop distribution for freshmen and new students and other textbook/materials distribution.
Continue to refer to the FCPS website and Westfield High School website for updated Return to School information.
Stay healthy; be safe; GO BULLDOGS!
Anthony E. Copeland, PhD
Principal
|
