COVID Update #3 March 19, 2020

Google Classrooms

If you are using Google Classroom with your students:

• Remember students can only access this using their BPS email. All students have BPS email this can be found in Aspen. They will need to know how to access email to accept invites to new classrooms
• Please add me as a co-teacher, The District has asked that I am aware of all assignments
• Please link your Google Classroom to the website. I have added the place for Marc's and Rose's so you can see where to do it. Consistency is important. If you need help linking your classroom to the webpage let me know. 

Other Online Platforms

If you are using other online platforms (ie Seesaw):

• Please add me as a co-teacher. The district would like me to be aware of all the assignments. 
• Please add a link to your platform as we are doing to Google Classroom. She the Grade 3 Page as to how to do this. 

Consistency is an important and key lever as we continue to manage this. 

The Webpage

I may seem a bit obsessive about this. I do NOT want to go to a central site controlled by academics to be the result of our closure. That is a possibility. I want to keep our site robust and healthy so that we can have the autonomy to have our own curriculum continue. I am seeing indications that we will have to earn this. Please continue to help me make this happen. You guys are amazing. 

Work Expectations

My conference call with the superintendent did not yield any new information. The expectations shared yesterday are baseline expectations. We can continue to operate as usual though virtually. There are meetings with all major unions today. I want to thank all of you for putting kids first ALWAYS. 

Special Education

Special shout out to Alyce: Thanks for keeping us so much in compliance. People want us to use this time to get into compliance. There is still no answer on kids whose testing was interrupted. I can expect written guidance today or tomorrow. We do need to hold a meeting for students whose testing has been completed and all unfinished IEPS must be completed by their deadline.  

ELs

No new information.

Equity and Technology

• The district is monitoring some data to look for equitable access. Yes, it is imperfect but you may find it interesting. At one point 17,000 students were online at the same time. This is about one-third of our student population.
• 19 Lee Academy families who did not receive Chomebooks from us signed up to request one. 
• I asked Mark to look into additional ways we can reach out to families. I have not heard back from him yet. 
• Here is a link to the form that families need to fill out. If you would like to reach out to families maybe you can assist them in filling out the form.  If you need help translating into Spanish Zoraida is available to help
• The current district plan is to deliver every laptop to a student's house. The technology department currently has about 100 volunteers to help with this task. 

Social Media

During today's call, we received a reminder that if you videotape or photograph students in a virtual classroom you cannot share those clips on social media. It is a violation of FERPA.

Access to the Building

Your key cards will not be deactivated. You will continue to have access to the building please let me know if you are going in. Bill works 6-3 each day. Please contact him before going in to be sure he is there and the alarm will not be turned on.