I hope you all had a wonderful week! You are rocking it and the administrative team appreciates everything you do every day!!! This Tuesday. 11AM to 2PM, is the Teacher Appreciation Drive Through at the front of the school through the circle. The admin team is excited to see as many of you as possible. Please remember this is optional. We will be taking attendance ONLY for the purpose of making sure those who could not driver through get their tokens of appreciation!
The Staff Fitness Challenge can be found on the SW Canvas Page under the Distance Learning Module. Again, we encourage you all to participate.
Report Cards were distributed by mail using a mailing service. Student Information Office provided all reports cards to the mailing service this past Monday, May 4, 2020. Any conversation about updating grades can be directed to Mrs. Cline as we continue to move forward.
Thank you to Stephanie Powell for turning the GCS grading gudiance into a very eays to reag guide...many compliments form parents already, and I'm seeing and hearing about a big increase in engagement. Great job!
Here is the link for the PowerPoint Presentation on Grading.
Here is another copy of my connect ed I shared with all families in grades 9-11 on Friday:
"Good afternoon, this is Mr. Hettenbach with a brief clarification
message regarding the final grading policy for GCS. To simplify the language of
this policy, I want to help you out.... every student in grades 9-11 has an
opportunity to increase their 3rd quarter grade by 12.5 points. I am unsure why
any student would not take advantage of this as this will ultimately affect
your GPA in a positive way. Even if a student has a 95/A for example, they
should strive to gain those last 5 points, as we have seen numerous times where
students with comparable GPAs, are then looked at by their numerical grades in
class so colleges can make a better decision on whether they accept one over
another. Additionally, when students are disengaged from their studies,
research shows the lengthy negative impact it can have on students. Please help
us out and check over your students to make sure they are engaged and taking
every advantage of gaining these extra points...."
I like how Desiree Wright made her own flyer to put in the background of canvas.... Very nice! Here are her examples. E-mail her if you need assistance!
You
can embed on your Canvas page as a background for all visitors to see!!
PNG
version: (use this as your background!)
Our 2nd Virtual Fire Drill is 11AM on Monday (OPTIONAL). You should sign in to the "Zoom meeting" to participate.
The Staff Fitness Challenge can be found on the SW Canvas Page under the Distance Learning Module. Again, we encourage you all to participate.
Rules:
- You must upload a
screenshot of what you completed that day or week onto the padlet.
- The screenshot will only
count if they have the following on them:
- The date
- The distance of how far
you walked or ran
*If you need to figure out how to screenshot your fitness
app results, just google it. I use GoogleFit and others may use MapMyRun or another
fitness tracking devices. If you use a fitness watch of some sort, the only
problem may be that the date will not show up so if you upload a picture of
your fitness results from your watch and it does not have the date on it- it
will not count. Again, going for accountability, your upload onto Padlet must
have the date and the distance… along with your name on it. 😊
Prizes:
- Google Mini- Each week,
after you upload a screenshot of you completing at least 3 miles during
the week (either walking or running), you will have your name put into the
drawing for it; which will be announced on June 8th.
- Tablet- automatically
given to the staff member that runs or walks the most from 5/11 till 6/5.
Again, you still have to upload a screenshot of what you completed each
week.
**If anyone is still lost after watching the how to videos
and wants a PLC on how to do this or what Padlet can do so you can use it in
your own class, just email Jen Black and she will help you.**
HAVE FUN WITH THIS & WE ALL CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE RESULTS! 😊
#WEARESOUTHWEST
Please help Jae Bratton and her Yearbook staff push the remaining yearbooks our for sale.
Despite the pandemic, the yearbook is finished and will be shipped to the school in mid-May. We still have some books left, especially for those seniors who want some resemblance of normalcy to their senior year. To maintain social distancing, buy your yearbook online at www.yearbookforever.com and get your hands on something that will remind you of this unprecedented school year (and keep you busy while in quarantine!).
Another gentle reminder that we as a school system are trying to be patient as we monitor the governor's decisions to assist us with preparing for the best form of graduation under the current circumstances. As the Principal of this school, I ask you to stick with me and be patient. This is a big event and I believe our seniors deserve the very best we can give them based on the Governor's orders at this time.I know this is hard as we want to see a concrete scheduled event, but please be patient. While we see other districts starting to plan, I believe their decisions are premature with the hopes that the governor's orders will hopefully fit within their plans.
Weekly Canvas Student Engagement Form
Teachers complete this form weekly, please only fill out for students that are inconsistent with engagement on Canvas.
Week of May 11th work verification link (Being e-mailed as well Monday morning)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSds6Gph0bfYUMW35bk6k00x6o7FNnK45gGNF7ot6NdCm1kJoA/viewform?usp=sf_link
As I shared on Friday via e-mail, we will not be able to to a pick-up, drop of on May 21st and May 22nd, as planned. We needed to wait until GCS authorizes us to do so. Thank you for understanding.
A gentle reminder that you should not be entering the school without my knowledge/permission. If you are needing something from your room, please let me know and I'll have thew custodians get those items and have them at one of the entrance doors, or I can deliver them to you. Custodians are required to re-clean/sanitize all areas that non-essential personnel come in touch with. We are working with a limited number of custodians and I'm sure those who are still working in the building would appreciate everyone working with them so they do not have to repeat any steps they have already taken. I or the custodians can even Facetime if necessary to navigate around your room to assist you. :) Thank you!
The College Board Advanced Placement exam schedule has been modified for a world wide synchronized administration schedule from May 11 – 22, 2020. The exams are now 2 hours long and only one course will be tested per time slot. There are three time slots per day; a noon – 2PM; a 2PM – 4PM; and a 4PM – 6PM administration time. Students outside of the EASTERN STANDARD TIME ZONE must adjust their testing time to coordinate with the EASTERN STANDARD TIME schedule. Make sure not to overlook this critical detail if your student has or will be relocating to another time zone. Also, be aware that students must check in to their exam a half hour BEFORE the exam start time, so students will need to be ready and set up before the start time. For example, students taking a 4:00 exam will need to start check-in at 3:30 pm.
Exam Window
Dates: May 11- 22, 2020 Make-ups: June 1-5. 2020*
The student exam date is based on the course. Visit here for specific exam dates.
*The make-up exam window should be used for emergency situations only.
Exam Features
- The exam will only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March.
- This year’s AP exams will be open book/open note. Get tips for taking open book/open note exams at Tips for AP Open Note Exams
- Most exams will have one or two free-response questions, and each question is timed separately. For example, some tests will have portfolio submissions, some will have one question to answer, some will have two questions to answer. Carefully review your course expectations.
- Students will need to write and submit their responses within the allotted time for each question.
- For most subjects, the exams will be 45 minutes long and include an additional 5 minutes for uploading. Students will need to access the online testing system 30 minutes before the exam start time to logon.
- Teachers will receive copies of student responses to questions to affirm the validity of the answer and to confirm that it is indeed the student’s actual work.
- Students will be able to take exams on any device—computer, tablet, or smartphone. They may type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cell phone. Students who do not have access to one of the devices mentioned above or do not have access to internet connectivity should notify their AP Coordinator or reach out to us directly to College Board and let them know.
Test Format and Additional Information
This link provides students with specific details about the format of their course exams.
Courses with Portfolio Submissions or Alternate Submission
The following courses will use portfolio submissions and will not have a separate online exam. All deadlines for these submissions have been extended to May 26, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET:
- 2-D Art and Design
- Computer Science Principles (note: this portfolio submission is best done on a laptop)
- Research
- Seminar
- Students taking AP world language and culture exams will complete two spoken tasks consistent with free-response questions three and four on the current AP Exam. Written responses will not be required. We will provide more details in the coming weeks to help students prepare.
Exam Timing and Tasks
- Each subject’s exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide.
- Students may take the exam at home or in school if schools reopen. If schools reopen, then they will communicate the logistics to the students.
- These are the ONLY DATES AND TIMES that a student can take these exams. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Taking the Exam
- In late April, the College Board will provide AP students and educators with information on how to access the testing system on test day, along with video demonstrations so that students can familiarize themselves with the system.
- Students will receive an access link to sign into the system to take their test via the email address they provided when they signed up for their online AP account.
- Students WILL have the opportunity to practice on the system prior to testing day. Information regarding that will be sent soon.
Exam Preparation (AP Live & Review) Full AP Exam Schedule
- Continue working toward college credit and placement with free, live AP review lessons, delivered by AP teachers from across the country.
- These mobile-friendly classes:
- Are optional and designed to be used alongside work that may be given by schools.
- Are available on-demand after the original presentation so teachers and students can access them any time.
- Are not dependent on current AP teachers continuing instruction. We know many AP teachers now face challenges that would make that impossible.
- Enable AP students to complete the few remaining topics of each AP class and then, throughout April, focus on reviewing the skills and concepts from the first 75% of the course.
- To access the live classes and recordings, visit the AP Live YouTube channel. College Board will be adding more courses soon.
Here are some other ways to get ready for your exam:
- Complete any assignments from your AP teachers in the AP Classroom. These may include Topic Questions, Personal Progress Checks, and free-response practice exam questions. Once you complete each assignment, you will see reports with feedback that can help you target additional practice.
- For more details about your exams, visit Taking AP Exams, and see our FAQ page for more questions.
Below is a reminder from Mrs. Cutler to assist you as we continue to learn how to navigate with e-learning. Any questions should be directed to Mrs. Cutler.
Zoom Security Reminders:
Virtual waiting rooms, the ability to admit students individually or all at once into your virtual classroom.
- Watch this quick video breaking down how to admit participants from your waiting room into the meeting. Watch Now
- Check out this blog post to learn how to secure your virtual classroom. Read More
Disable or modify the chat feature, so that those on the call can't send private messages to each other.
1) click on the chat icon at the bottom of the screen (the chat box should appear on the right)
2) click the 3 dots near the bottom of the chat. It will give you a choice of who participants can chat with.
IEP Read Alouds - reminder
Teachers should have individual student IEP’s at a glance at home.
Any teacher can give extended time to any student given our current situation. However, follow the iep accommodations as noted (study guides, multiple test sessions etc.) and contact EC case managers on modifications that you may be unclear as to how they can be provided.
Teachers should include on their Canvas page
Read aloud resources for classroom material are as follows:
Read aloud/Text to Speech plug in in Google Chrome
If they need read aloud for a word document they can go to this website and copy and past the text in the box and click the play button https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/
Teachers should include: If you would prefer an individualized read aloud, please contact Mrs. Ynoa Lantigua at . ynoalac@gcsnc.com
I love you all, and we got this! Why? Because we are..... SOUTHWEST!!!
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