*Distance Learning*

Whether we start in August with a hybrid model, or 100% at-home, "distance learning" will be a part of the 2020-21 school year.

While this is not ideal, spring 2020 distance learning in Room 14 went very well. 5th grade is fun, exciting, and challenging -- and this will be a fantastic year, no matter what form it takes.

A few important notes:

At-home learning cannot succeed without cooperation between parents and teachers. It is vital that parents stay connected via both email and ClassDojo. I am good at pushing out information and keeping families informed, but the flow has to go both ways. Because the students will not be in the room with me, I will depend on you to communicate important information. (Confusion about a math concept, a student feeling overwhelmed, technical or family issues interfering with instruction, etc.) 

Make sure you fill out all parent contact forms for both the Main Office and Room 14 and, in addition, register on Fresh Schools and the LAUSD Parent Portal.

In the spring, because many families were not ready to support at-home student learning, students were not penalized for unfinished work. This school year, all assigned work counts towards report card grades.

For successful at-home learning, students will ideally have a quiet spot with reliable internet access to attend zoom meetings, consistent access to a work area, and an at-home toolkit.

Toolkit suggestions:

• pencils
• good quality pencil sharpener
• colored markers
• highlighters (several colors)
• colored pencils
• scissors
• glue stick
• erasers
• a ruler
• lined paper
• graph paper (a good option HERE)
• optional (for monthly book reports and art projects): gel pens, colored Sharpies, oil pastels
• optional: a printer -- If you don't have a printer in your home, consider trying to find an inexpensive or used one. We will have packet/supply pick up and drop off days, but it's impossible for me to predict every possible need for a 30 day stretch.

This toolkit is in addition to the notebooks and folders on the "in the classroom" school supply list. Students will still need a 3-subject spiral notebook for science, and folders to keep track of work, for example.

Also note: We will have monthly (?) drop off/pick up days for completed work and new packets and supplies.

Looking forward to a great year!

7/5/2020