Knights,
As we continue to settle into new routines and expectations, I want to communicate a few things that are changing in terms of school work and teacher interaction. Please know that we are aware families are in a variety of stages - from thriving in virtual learning and waiting for more to still trying to figure how to organize the day and access any form of learning. All of those places are okay, each family has their unique challenges and needs and there is no one-size fits the majority of people. Please, connect with your teachers, counselor, or administrator if you have any needs.
Our goal was to start taking grades the week of April 13; now that we are here I suspect this may add some anxiety but I want to put your mind at ease. We haven't communicated details yet because the proposal goes to the Board this Thursday evening, and then we will have details to share. I have instructed teachers that they can be keeping grades in Google Classroom or other paper-based systems but no grades will be official and entered in Skyward until we have clarification. Please know that the district leadership has placed an emphasis on balancing the need to educate our students and provide feedback on that learning (grades or otherwise) with the desire to not penalize students that have different levels of access to learning.
I have asked all teachers to verify the status of their students weekly from this point forward. If a teacher does not have interaction with your student throughout the week (regardless of how they are learning), I have asked them to contact parents/students. My primary reason for asking teachers to continually check in with students and families is to maintain a connection with school and help problem solve issues as they arise. As the weeks go by, family situations change and we can't assume that things are the same when we first checked. If you using the paper-based learning, you can help by emailing those teachers and letting them know you picked up the packet (if possible). Students can be emailing their teachers with questions or engaging in class work other ways. I share this information so you are not alarmed if you get phone calls/emails from teachers - it's not a sign your student is failing, we are just checking on their progress.
The technology department is still working through the technology requests and distributing equipment. If you have questions, use the new Let's Talk application and submit your question directly to technology.
We sincerely appreciate everyone's efforts and patience. Please continue to communicate with us about your needs or situation. There is a webpage for each teacher in the Academics section of the KLMS website; on each site there is a link to Clever and Google Classroom if the teacher is using those platforms. Additionally, their virtual office hours and email are listed on the page. If the teacher has a Google Voice number, that number is listed there as well.
Finally, please make sure you are giving yourself grace in this situation. As some things become easier and more familiar to your family routine, some things become more complicated by the social-emotional needs of each family member. I am looking forward to the day that we all get to be together again in one building, but until then I hope every stays healthy and safe.
Regards,
Dina Schaefer