Friday, May 15, 2020

Week of May 18

Staff,

I hope you all had a wonderful week! It was so nice seeing you many of you this past Tuesday! For those of you who could not make it, I have your goodie bag waiting for you when I see you next!



School "close down procedures" have been developed by the county. There will be a very specific plan outlined. While the district has provided me with the plan, I still need to tailor it to SWGHS. This plan will be in effect from May 26-June 10. Stay tuned!



Thank you to Stephanie Powell for turning the GCS grading guidance into a very easy to read guide...many compliments from parents as well as staff from other schools across the county. Great job!

Here is the link for the PowerPoint Presentation on Grading. Grading Guidance PowerPoint



We will be conducting a drive through for pick up and drop off of items, including the pick up of yearbooks purchased. Everyone must stay in their cars at all times and wear masks. The dates and times are as followed. There is a QR code within the document that connects with a form allowing students to communicate where personal items are so that we may get them to the students on these days. These multiple opportunities will allow us to get as many report cards, diplomas etc. out to all students who are up to date with their school responsibilities. Staff members who need to distribute/collect items should inform Stephanie Powell. 

Tuesday, May 26 - Noon to 2PM
Wednesday, May 27 - 6PM to 8PM
Monday, June 8 - 6PM to 8PM

Here are some key things to remember when collecting money:


  1. Only staff members can collect money (No students)
  2. Staff must write a receipt for $10 or more (if $9.99 or less a student list is needed)
  3. All funds must be turned in the day it is collected along with a collection report
  4. If you don’t have a receipt book please check one out
So, with that being said here is plan:

-Students (both Seniors and Underclassmen) will come during the times mentioned above to return materials and pick up materials. 

-Seniors will get cords and tassels (Gold Tassels for 4.0 GPA and higher) during this time. 

-Seniors will also be able to pay for Fees due to the school (Media Center, Athletics, Cafeteria,etc.) Connect eds will go out to these Seniors individually to let them know that they owe money. 

-Anything that you need back can be dropped off during this time. That includes textbooks, calculators, novels, etc.

-Each table will be labeled with a teachers name (teachers that fill out the form below). If you can work these days and times, you can mark off what student gives you what back when they come through.(We need to minimize this to one department rep. No more than one department rep at these events-plan this with your department chairs)   If you cannot work these days and times, it is your responsibility to let your students know how they should be returning your materials. For example: English 10 Students, please put your name either on a sticky note or on a piece of paper and place it inside of your novel and textbook when you return your materials during the drive through. 

-All materials will be placed in those teachers classroom at the end of each event. 

-Students/Parents/Guardians are NOT allowed to get out of the cars. I will make a poster for you to advertise this event.

-If you are working the event, you need to bring a mask to wear and we will have gloves. We still have to abide by the CDC guidelines while doing this. 


The Dates and Times:
-May 26th 12am-2pm
-May 27th 6pm-8pm
-June 8th 6pm-8pm 


We have created three dates, a day and two nights drive through so everyone can handle these responsibilities. Please tell the students to make adjustments now so they can handle their responsibility of dropping off or picking up items. 

Please fill out this form. It is UPDATED and different then the last one. 
If you filled out the last form, you still need to fill out this new one. This is the one that I am going to go off of. 


See you then!
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 on campus. They will be dsitbvuted on the dates mentioned above. 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!). 

Please know I have a very strong voice for the direction we are moving forward on with Graduation, as I do not wish to bank on hopes for face to face in July, December or next June. Face to face options would mean we would have to hope this pandemic does not have a 2nd or 3rd wave, hold our ceremony over 10 to 20 separate ceremonies just to stay within the order (which we could not even do that at this time). Our students, ALL students, need a celebration immediately, closure and something to remember. GCS is also looking into a late July traditional ceremony if the Governor's orders allow us to do such a thing I look forward to giving you more details once they unfold so we can all partake in this wonderful celebration! If you have ANY parents who are very upset, direct them to me. They are misrepresenting themselves, their students, and the community by sharing false information or ideas that are not viable under the Governor's orders. Please be careful not to be misled by the media regarding other events. If you are not sure and need to bring events within NC to my attention, please do your research first and then call me. You all rock!


Please remember to fill out the weekly engagement forms.

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 18th work verification link (Being e-mailed as well Monday morning)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsvu9IqV7hELt9Du1UZVFYMgI8XAixfEE3ibhpm0guo6X1MA/viewform?usp=sf_link


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 started and is ongoing through May 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!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment