We are living in unprecedented times. With so much uncertainty in our daily lives, we are well aware of the importance of feeling connected to one another. In fact, we believe that a strong connection to your school community is vital to helping our children feel safe and reassured.
We encourage all members of the family to be involved in the learning process and understand that many families are rearranging their new normal to accommodate jobs and work schedules that have also shifted. During this transition to home learning, please connect with us if you or your child/ren are experiencing difficulties. You will continue to have access to counselors, support professionals, teachers, and administration.
Take Care of Yourself and Your Family
We know each family is unique and may be presented with difficult issues. Your teachers and principals have the latitude to make good decisions for your families well being.
Digital Learning - Week of March 30th
All students in PK-5th grade- Your child’s teachers will connect you during this week through Dojo/Remind. Google Classrooms have been set up for every classroom at Franklin.
Teachers miss having your child in their class and are eager to get started. Your child can share with the teacher/s what they’ve been learning by completing the activities. Teachers may continue to use the Home Learning Menus in future weeks.
Some students may not have access to technology at home and may need some additional assistance from the teachers. Please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Teachers will have assignments posted in their Google Classrooms in Reading, Writing, and Math.
Access Google Classroom as soon as possible to get your child started and to ensure that they have support from their teacher right away.
If you do not have access, please email the teacher right aways so this can be discussed.
Recommendations of Franklin School of Innovation on the amount of time our scholars should spend on each subject
PK: Plan for a 15-minute read-aloud of a book, 30 minutes total of structured learning activities that could include literacy and math activities, mighty minutes, learning songs, and social-emotional activities. In addition, the families will be encouraged to have at least 60 minutes/day of play (household play materials, extended home learning activity calendar) and 30 minutes of outdoor play."
K-1 : 15-30 min of Teacher/Parent directed learning plus 15 minutes of independent work (focused on fun & maintaining learning, not new content)
Math
Reading/Writing
2-3: 30 min of Teacher directed learning plus 30 min of independent work (focused on fun & maintaining learning, not new content)
Math
Reading
Writing
4-5: 30 min of Teacher directed learning plus 30 min of independent work (focused on fun & maintaining learning, not new content)
Math
Reading
Writing
How will my child communicate with his/her teacher?
We know your child misses seeing their teacher and their peers. Children will be given an opportunity each week for a whole class video or phone conference. They will have their daily office hour posted on their Google Classroom. Teachers will connect with you about the best way for them to connect with your family. It will either be through a telephone conference, Dojo/Remind, or Google Hangout.
Franklin remains committed to providing support to our students who receive assistance in the following areas: school counseling, special education, Gifted and Talented Academic Learning Plans, English Language Development and various intervention supports. These educators will also be a part of your child/ren’s home learning experience.
When will my child hear from his/her teacher?
Your child/ren’s teacher will reach out to you and your child during the week of March 30th and will communicate a general update at least once a week.
Teachers will use communication methods and learning tools that are familiar to students and families.
Remember that everyone is learning new ways of communicating and collaborating, including teachers. If you are not hearing from your teacher, please feel free to reach out to the principal, assistant principal, or counselor. .
Acknowledgement should be given to students on assignments, even if it is just a thumbs up or nice job! Voice and video feedback is extremely valuable to your students.
Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns?
As with traditional learning, you should start with your child's teacher. Then you can reach out to your principal if you need additional assistance.
What do I do if my child has limited or no access to digital devices?
Your child's teacher will monitor your family's ability to engage and reach out to you by email or phone call as needed. As always, you are welcome to contact your child's teacher.
If your child is not able to participate, they will NOT be penalized. We understand that families are adjusting and we know that families are all doing the best they can to make continued education a priority.
Social and Emotional Resources
IEP Services
Although IEP services will look different, they will be implemented and our staff is up to the task! I have asked our licensed special education staff to be in touch with you and your child by phone and/or email to collaboratively discuss your child’s learning priorities and how best to address them.
To protect yourselves and our staff, all IEP meetings will be held virtually through phone or Google Meet conferencing, which can be accessed by a home computer or phone with cellular service. Once the meeting is scheduled through Google, a hyperlink to that meeting will be embedded in the calendar invite. Once received, just click on the link as the meeting is about to start. We’ve found it to be stable and easy to use. In the event it is not feasible for you to use this technology, participation in meetings by ordinary telephone conferencing can be effective.
As much as possible, evaluations for Initial referrals and Reevaluations, as well as annual IEP meetings, will continue as scheduled. Although some assessments can be done by phone or virtually, like parent/teacher interviews, and screeners and checklists, others will require face-to-face time with students. In those circumstances, we may need to defer on those sections of assessments until school is reopened, but we are going to make every effort to complete evaluations as planned. We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and partnership on this.
