Parent Letter from Ms. Johnson about Remote Teaching

                                   PS 246

2641 Grand Concourse

Bronx, New York 10468

                 Telephone: (718) 584-6764 Fax: (718) 584-7005

   Andrea A. Johnson                                                                                       Daisy Joy-Rodrigo                              

               Principal                                                                                      Assistant Principal                                                                                                                                                                   

Good afternoon P.S. 246 Families and Guardians:

As you are aware, New York City Public Schools are closed from now through April 20^th due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   However, please rest assure that our P.S. 246 staff members are ready to provide you and your students with ongoing academic instruction and support in an effort to ensure that they continue to meet grade level standards. Beginning on Monday, March 23^rd all NYCDOE students will be engaged in remote instruction.

Remote instruction

Remote learning provides an opportunity our students and our teachers to remain connected and engaged with instruction while working from locations outside of the physical school environment for a designated period of time due to an unforeseen situation. This example of remote learning is necessary in response to the emergency situation posed by COVID-19. Transitioning to remote learning can keep students on track so that when they return to physical school environments, they will be ready for the next phase in their learning Our shared goal in this moment where the landscape is constantly shifting, is to ensure continuity of learning, student engagement and the prevention of learning loss.

During this time, teachers will instruct your students through Google classroom an online platform that provides your students with access to varied types of instructional activities.   Teachers will email students to join the Google Classroom through which they will provide assignments to their students, consistent with the subject content standards of their respective classes. Starting on Monday, March 23^rd the instructional day will begin at 9:10am and end at 2:40 pm each day.   Please refer to the daily schedule below.

DAILY INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE:

Student Instruction will include:

• Communicate expectations to students and families about the instructional plan for the week, including learning objectives, required activities, assignments, links to resources, and assessments, along with any associated due dates.
• During the designated time, to the extent possible, interact with students in real-time to deliver lessons, facilitate discussion, and lead other instructional activities.
• Archive lessons and other instructional activities for students to access later.
• Utilize agreed-upon communication plan determined by the school daily (Monday thru Friday during the contractual workday) to interact with groups of students and families, account for attendance, and respond to messages from students and families in a timely fashion.
• For any student that is not engaging, follow up with the school protocol to engage the Student Support Team.
• Monitor student participation in activities, grade assignments and assessments, and provide timely feedback on work submitted by students. Communicate with families about student progress.
• For students who need additional support or enrichment, identify appropriate activities and assignments to the greatest extent possible.
• Conduct all annual reviews timely for students with disabilities, to the greatest extent possible.
• Ensure that ESL students receive language support as they learn new content through remote learning.

STUDENT AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Students should complete instructional activities assigned by teachers within the expected timelines.
• Students should participate in check-ins, discussions, and other communication mechanisms as expected by the teacher.
• Students should review teacher feedback and complete any follow-up activities as assigned by the teacher.
• Students and families should proactively notify their teacher or a school administrator school with any concerns about progress or additional support needed.
• Families should support students in being successful by establishing routines and habits that support their success in remote learning.
• Families should ensure that students are adhering to their school’s contract for appropriate behavior on web-enabled devices.

Equipment/Instructional Material Distribution

Tomorrow, Thursday, March 19^th we will begin the distribution of paper based instructional resources for all our students K - 5. I-pads will also be distributed to families with students in grades 3 – 5 who do not own a tablet or a laptop. Unfortunately, at this time our school only has 164 I-pads, which will be used to support our students in the testing grades. All families that are provided an I-pad must sign a user agreement  which states that they are responsible for the care and maintenance of the equipment and that the equipment will be returned back to the school in the same condition in which it was given. Please do note, however, that Apple and T-Mobile is working with the DOE to ensure that in the upcoming weeks 300,000 New York City public school students who do not currently have an internet-connected device will have one for their schoolwork during remote learning.   Please follow the distribution schedule below for Thursday, March 19^th.

The DOE is asking families to complete an on-line survey where you can share your best contact information over the next few weeks as well as whether you have access to a smartphone, a laptop/tablet/computer, the internet, or none of the above. The NYCDOE will use this information to prioritize device distribution and inform families of pickup location.   The survey can be found on the P.S. 246 website under the “Parent Portal” and is entitled “Remote Learning Devices”.   Please ensure you complete this survey by Friday, March 20^th.

1)  Parents please continue to sign up for I-pads through the DOE link referenced her.    We will also post on Class Dojo:   https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices

2) For those families who do not have I-pads or laptops, Google Classroom can be accessed through their X-box.  This will also be shared with families on Class Dojo.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8CX5oDbLno

MyNycschool account:

In order to access the Google Classroom that our school will be using for remote learning it is important that you set up a student account for your child through the

Find Your Student Account ID and Password

To retrieve your account ID and password:

1. Go to Student Account Self Service(Open external link)
2. Enter your 9-digit Student ID number. (You can find your Student ID number on a report card, your student ID card, or in your NYCSA account.)
3. Enter your birthday.
4. Click Continue.
5. If the information you enter matches your student record, your username will be displayed. 
6. Your student ID is your username followed by @nycstudents.net. For example, if your username is JaneD, your student account ID is [email protected]
7. If you haven't already set up a password, you will be asked to set one up.
8. Pick a password that only you will know.
9. Re-enter your password.
10. Click Update Password.

Access the Remote Learning Portal

In order to support students with remote learning, the DOE has made available a remote learning portal for all DOE students. The remote learning portal provides quick links to online learning tools they will need, including Google Classroom and Microsoft Office. For students at schools that use Clever, a link to Clever will appear in the portal.

• Sign into the Remote Learning Portal

How can I help my child learn when I don't know the subject matter?

It’s okay to not know the subject. This is a great time to be a role model for being curious and how to learn. You might say, “I don’t know all the answers myself, let’s find out the ways to learn this material.” In Khan Academy, you can use our search bar to type in the specific topic you’re seeking to learn, e.g. “congruent angles”. 

If you or your child are struggling a bit, remember that’s natural! Learning is a process of “productive struggle.”

How do I manage children learning at home while I’m working at home?

Set aside designated times when you know you’ll have dedicated 1x1 time with your child. This can be time to read together, breaks during the day and a clear lunch time. Knowing you have designated “together time” can help you keep boundaries at other times (if possible). 

But they’re kids, right? As parents ourselves, we know that having kids means getting interrupted. Be explicit on the best way to be interrupted. Ideas can be as simple as requesting a knock on the door, or prearranged signals like “hold my hand and count to twenty when I’m on the phone”.

Have we mentioned that we’re fans of checklists? Older children can be more self-directed with checklists. When a child comes to you with “I’m bored, I don’t know what to do,” redirect them to the list so they can take charge of their time.

Speaking as parents again, it’s predictable that tensions will arise. It’s easy to snap and lose your cool. We’ve all done it. In these times, you can think of this as another teaching moment: role-modeling how to apologize. One suggestion: “Hey, I’m sorry that I yelled. I was feeling stressed, and I realized I should have gone for a quick walk instead. Can we both hit the reset button?”

Lastly, be kind to yourself. There’s no way to be a perfect parent, and there are a thousand ways to be a good parent. 

PS 246

2641 Grand Concourse

Bronx, New York 10468

                 Telephone: (718) 584-6764 Fax: (718) 584-7005

   Andrea A. Johnson                                                                                       Daisy Joy-Rodrigo                              

               Principal                                                                  Assistant Principal    

Buenas tardes P.S. 246 Familias y Tutores:

Como saben, las Escuelas Públicas de la Ciudad de Nueva York están cerradas desde ahora hasta el 20 de abril debido a la pandemia COVID-19. Sin embargo, puede estar seguro de que nuestro miembros del personal de PS 246 están listos para brindarle a usted y a sus alumnos instrucción y apoyo académico continuo en un esfuerzo por garantizar que continúen cumpliendo con los estándares de nivel de grado. A partir del lunes 23 de marzo, todos los estudiantes de NYCDOE participarán en la instrucción remota.

Instrucción remote

El aprendizaje remoto brinda una oportunidad para que nuestros estudiantes y nuestros maestros permanezcan conectados y comprometidos con la instrucción mientras trabajan desde ubicaciones fuera del entorno escolar físico durante un período de tiempo designado debido a una situación imprevista. Este ejemplo de aprendizaje remoto es necesario en respuesta a la situación de emergencia planteada por COVID-19. La transición al aprendizaje remoto puede mantener a los estudiantes en el camino adecuado para que cuando regresen a los entornos escolares físicos, estén listos para la próxima fase de su aprendizaje. Nuestro objetivo compartido en este momento donde el panorama cambia constantemente es garantizar la continuidad del aprendizaje, Compromiso estudiantil y prevención de la pérdida de aprendizaje.

Durante este tiempo, los maestros instruirán a sus alumnos a través del aula de Google, una plataforma en línea que les brinda acceso a diversos tipos de actividades educativas. Los maestros enviarán un correo electrónico a los estudiantes para unirse al Aula de Google a través del cual proporcionarán tareas a sus estudiantes, de acuerdo con los estándares de contenido de sus respectivas clases. A partir del lunes 23 de marzo, el día de instrucción comenzará a las 9:10 a.m. y finalizará a las 2:40 p.m. cada día. Consulte el horario diario a continuación.

HORARIO DE INSTRUCCIONES DIARIAS:

La instrucción del estudiante incluirá:

• Comunique las expectativas a los estudiantes y las familias sobre el plan de instrucción para la semana, incluidos los objetivos de aprendizaje, actividades requeridas, tareas, enlaces a recursos y evaluaciones, junto con las fechas de vencimiento asociadas.
• Durante el tiempo designado, en la medida de lo posible, interactúe con los estudiantes en tiempo real para impartir lecciones, facilitar la discusión y dirigir otras actividades de instrucción.
• Archivar lecciones y otras actividades educativas para que los estudiantes puedan acceder más tarde.
• Utilice un plan de comunicación acordado determinado por la escuela diariamente (de lunes a viernes durante la jornada laboral contractual) para interactuar con grupos de estudiantes y familias, dar cuenta de la asistencia y responder a los mensajes de estudiantes y familias de manera oportuna.
• Para cualquier estudiante que no sea atractivo, siga el protocolo de la escuela para involucrar al Equipo de Apoyo Estudiantil.
• Monitorear la participación de los estudiantes en actividades, tareas de grado y evaluaciones, y proporcionar comentarios oportunos sobre el trabajo presentado por los estudiantes. Comunicarse con las familias sobre el progreso de los estudiantes.
• Para los estudiantes que necesitan apoyo o enriquecimiento adicional, identifique las actividades y tareas apropiadas en la mayor medida posible.
• Lleve a cabo todas las revisiones anuales a tiempo para estudiantes con discapacidades, en la mayor medida posible.
• Asegúrese de que los estudiantes de ESL reciban soporte de idiomas a medida que aprenden contenido nuevo a través del aprendizaje remoto.

RESPONSABILIDADES DE ESTUDIANTES Y FAMILIAS

• Los estudiantes deben completar las actividades de instrucción asignadas por los maestros dentro de los plazos previstos.
• Los estudiantes deben participar en los registros, debates y otros mecanismos de comunicación como lo espera el maestro.
• Los estudiantes deben revisar los comentarios de los maestros y completar cualquier actividad de seguimiento asignada por el maestro.
• Los estudiantes y las familias deben notificar de manera proactiva a su maestro o al administrador de la escuela con cualquier inquietud sobre el progreso o el apoyo adicional necesario.
• Las familias deben apoyar a los estudiantes para que tengan éxito estableciendo rutinas y hábitos que respalden su éxito en el aprendizaje remoto.
• Las familias deben asegurarse de que los estudiantes cumplan con el contrato de su escuela para el comportamiento apropiado en dispositivos habilitados para la web.

Distribución de equipo / material de instrucción

Mañana, jueves 19 de marzo, comenzaremos la distribución de recursos didácticos en papel para todos nuestros estudiantes K - 5. También se distribuirán I-pads a familias con estudiantes en los grados 3 - 5 que no poseen una tableta o una computadora portátil. Desafortunadamente, en este momento nuestra escuela solo tiene 164 I-pads, que se utilizarán para apoyar a nuestros estudiantes en los grados de prueba. Todas las familias que reciben un I-pad deben firmar un acuerdo de usuario que establece que son responsables del cuidado y mantenimiento del equipo y que el equipo será retirado Regresara a la escuela en la misma condición en que se le dio. Sin embargo, tenga en cuenta que Apple y T-Mobile están trabajando con el DOE para garantizar que en las próximas semanas 300,000 estudiantes de escuelas públicas de la ciudad de Nueva York que actualmente no tienen un dispositivo conectado a Internet tengan uno para su trabajo escolar durante el aprendizaje remoto . Siga el cronograma de distribución a continuación para el jueves 19 de marzo.