Back to School 2020-2021
SIGSBEE SCOOP
WELCOME TO SIGSBEE's HOME LEARNING RODEO
respect, responsibility, resilience
ZOOM Meeting with the Principal- Parent/Student/Teacher
Look in your email for a video from Mrs. Jannes
Thursday, August 13th:
Virtual Meet the Teacher 6:00-6:30 PM (slideshow presentations will be sent out prior to the live meetings)
Kindergarten Parent Orientation (will be pre-recorded so you can view at your leisure)
Virtual Meet the Teacher 6:00-6:30 PM (slideshow presentations will be sent out prior to the live meetings)
Kindergarten Parent Orientation (will be pre-recorded so you can view at your leisure)
Friday, August 14th:
Supply & Electronic Device Pick Up (front circle)
7:40-9:00 AM, 11:30 AM- 12:45 PM, 3:00-4:00 PM
Monday, August 17th
First Day of School- soft start
Morning Meetings and 10 minute live check-ins with students
Tuesday, August 18th
First Day of School- soft start
Morning Meetings and 10 minute live check-ins with students
Wednesday, August 19th
Full schedule of classes begin
GEARING UP FOR LAUNCH
While we are busily preparing to launch the school year in an unexpected manner, we are still extremely excited to see the students on August 17th. This week's calendar includes a number of opportunities for students and parents to get informed and connected. Wednesday evening's Zoom meeting will focus on Parent/Student/Teacher expectations for virtual learning.
On Thursday afternoon, you will receive an email from your children's teachers, welcoming them to a new year. The teacher will send a a Meet-the-Teacher slideshow (including video) for you to review. That evening, teachers will be available via Zoom so that students can say hello.
On Friday, staff members will be stationed outside on the front circle to help families pick up school devices (K-2 iPads and 3-8 Chromebooks) and school supplies. Teachers wish for students to use the school devices as they are loaded with apps and software that allows the teacher to introduce several necessary tools.
If you have not returned your student's device for updates, please drop it off on the table outside the library during the school day on Monday or Tuesday (7:40-4:00). Remember, visitors are not allowed on campus so please pull up, drop off the device, and exit.
Monday (8/17) and Tuesday (8/18) will be "soft starts" to the new year. Teachers will bring students into Team Huddle and spend the day touching base with students 1:1 in 10 minute check-ins. This will allow students to talk with a teacher without being thrown into a full Zoom class. Teachers will send out the link to sign up for an appointment on Thursday, when they welcome students into their classes.
DEVICE PICKUP PROTOCOLS
Please stay in your car and remain masked.Stations will be set up as follows:
- Device pick up
- Yearbook pick up (for those who ordered last year)
- School supplies
- Lost-N-Found
- School supply returns (leave anything you don't need)
Parent Survey & Open Letter
We want to hear from you! Please select one of the following options to tell us about your child: a survey with pre-determined questions or an open letter to the teacher about your child . This will help our teachers get to know your child quickly and provide the support they need.Please locate your child’s grade level and click the link. Fill out a form for each child enrolled at Sigsbee.
Primary:
Elementary:
Middle School:
TERMS TO KNOW
Synchronous Lessons- These are lessons that occur live, onscreen, with a Sigsbee teacher. Attendance will be taken and all students are expected to be on time and ready to learn.Asynchronous Work- In order to decrease time on screen, teachers will be assigning asynchronous work that can be completed when it is most convenient for the student and family. Assignments will be posted in SeeSaw (K-2) and Google Classroom (grades 3-8).
Team Huddle- A morning meeting with the homeroom class, focused on building community and connecting students. This is the time when our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) takes place.
Whole Class Lessons- Direct instruction in core classes- Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. Students will be assessed in all of these courses.
Small Groups- Smaller cohorts of students working with a teacher so that the teacher can assess and instruct through differentiation. Groupings are likely to change as the year progresses, depending on student need.
Specials/Electives (optional)- Daily lessons in the Arts. While these classes are optional for those who may need some time off screen, we highly recommend that you encourage your child to participate. We are thrilled to be able to offer Spanish as well!
FAQ FROM PARENT ZOOM MEETING ON 8/5
When will school start?
School will have a "soft start" on Monday, August 17th. The first two days will be used to make sure that all students can access the Zoom meetings and for parents to have an opportunity to connect each child with a teacher for a short meeting. Attendance is required starting on August 17th. Full academics will start on Wednesday, August 19th.
School will have a "soft start" on Monday, August 17th. The first two days will be used to make sure that all students can access the Zoom meetings and for parents to have an opportunity to connect each child with a teacher for a short meeting. Attendance is required starting on August 17th. Full academics will start on Wednesday, August 19th.
How do I get a device? Can I use my own computer?
Teachers want all students to use school devices, which are equipped with all of the software and apps they need. Devices can be picked up on Friday (see above) during assigned times.
When will students be allowed to attend school on campus?
The Department of Health (DOH) and Monroe County School District (MCSD) will revisit the decision to keep school virtual during the week of September 7-11. The return to school will depend on the percentage of positive cases in our community. SCS, and all MCSD schools, will continue to follow the advice of the DOH.
What about volunteer hours?
Parents/guardians may use these guidelines as a way to ensure that they are doing their part to contributing to their children's success. We will revisit volunteer hours when we return to campus.
How can I tell my child's teacher about my child?
Use the template above to either fill out a survey of questions about your child or submit an open letter to your child's teacher. Teachers will be using this information to get to know your child and learn about how they are feeling regarding the return to school. In addition, you will have an opportunity to connect your child to his/her teacher 1:1 in the first two days of school.
What will be different this year?
We've spent the summer studying best practices in virtual education. This year's home learning program will focus on higher engagement, different groupings of students and a reorganization of curriculum. In addition, accountability will be higher since we are beginning a new year and a new curriculum.
What is my child's schedule?
Schedules will be shared during Meet The Teacher. We attempted to keep all classes live between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM, congregating blocks of live lessons in the morning and afternoon so that students have ample time for breaks and lunch. The school schedule will include full instruction, Monday-Friday. There is a daily Team Huddle to bring all students together, shorter live instructional blocks to deliver whole class instruction and much more time devoted to small groups.
How can I support my child so he/she is successful?
This Wednesday, the Parent Zoom Meeting will focus on ways parents/guardians can support their children in order to be successful.
What if I don't like my child's schedule?
The schedules were developed with the understanding that we are not waiting for things to change; we are moving forward with a new version of school. Students are expected to fully participate in their classes and will be assessed based on grade level standards. If your child is unable to participate in this manner, MCSD has offered a Monroe Virtual Program that is fully virtual for the year. You would have to withdraw from Sigsbee in order to enroll in Monroe Virtual. However, it does allow for more flexibility with time.
Can we take a family vacation?
Though the Home Learning program can be accessed from any location, there are two things to consider before traveling:
1. We are working very hard to get students back on campus and need our community members to be part of the solution. Exposing your child or family to others, runs the risk of exposing them to the virus.
2. We are extremely concerned about students' learning loss. Students need to be present and engaged in all of their live lessons on a daily basis. They will also have follow-up work to do asynchronously so that we can ensure they are receiving quality instruction. School is a fulltime job. Plan accordingly.
 We are getting creative with socially distanced PE ideas. |
This chart is linked above for parent/student/teacher reference:
