Remote Learning in the Intermediate School
Dear Families of the Intermediate School,
First and foremost, I hope that this communication finds you and your loved ones healthy and well during these unprecedented times.
With the start of this upcoming school year looking so different, we wanted to provide you some information that may be beneficial to you as you make family decisions. While we are still working on transforming our program from in person learning to a remote model, I do want to publicly commit to you that we are determined to provide your child with the best education possible under these very unusual circumstances.
Remote Leaning for Fall of 2020
Unlike the Spring of 2020, the Fall of 2020 will be as interactive as possible. Classes will be taught using a synchronous (live) model with elements that are connected to an asynchronous (recorded) model. This means that students and teachers will have the ability to interact with each other. Students will be given assignments that they will be required to complete and submit back to their teacher. These assignments will be graded and feedback will be provided by the teachers.
In order to accommodate this model, a schedule will need to be followed at school and home. If it is not possible for students to adhere to the schedule listed below, recorded lessons can be accessed so instruction from classroom teachers is still possible. Students will still be required to complete assignments.
Students who receive Special Education services will receive the services, accommodations, and supports outlined in their IEP. Students who have 504 plans will receive the accommodations and supports outlined in their 504.
The Schedule
Classes will “meet” on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesdays will be dedicated to providing students opportunities to complete assignments independently and/or receive remediation or other services from teachers and specialists. Students will not “attend” regularly scheduled classes on Wednesdays.
On a 5-day work week, in the Intermediate School, Mondays and Thursdays will be A days while Tuesdays and Fridays will be B days. Every two days (one A day and one B day, your child will attend eight, 45 minute periods. Those periods will be:
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2 periods of ELA (both of these periods may be on the same day)
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2 periods of Mathematics (both of these periods may be on the same day)
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1 period of Social Studies
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1 period of Science
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1 period dedicated to accessing previously recorded Specials lessons (see below)
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1 period of our new class called “Support” (see below)
On a 4-day work week (such as the week of September 8th), Wednesdays will become either an A or B day to ensure a balanced instructional week. Notification to families will be sent via the school bulletin and other means prior to utilizing this altered schedule.
Your child’s schedule will be determined by his/her house team (ie 4 - Red, 5 - Orange, 6 - Yellow, etc). This schedule will be distributed to you at a later time. However, all students will follow the “bell” (in school we use a bell to indicate the changing of classes) schedule below.
NCIS Bell Schedule in a Remote Setting
A Days (Monday / Thursdays)
B Days (Tuesdays / Thursdays)
By clicking the link below you will find a SAMPLE schedule. With this visual we hope that you can see how subjects fall on the “bell” schedule. Again, your child’s schedule will be distributed at a later time. The attached schedule IS NOT your child’s schedule.
Specials Classes (PE, Music, Art, Spanish and Technology)
In the first semester, your child will be enrolled in three Specials classes. Your child’s schedule will dictate which three Specials he/she will have. Unfortunately, it is impossible for students to receive their Specials’ curriculum using a live instruction model. Each of your child’s three Special teachers will be providing two lessons per week. Within a week, your child will need to complete these six lessons independently. In addition to the daily 10:30 - 12:00 time period, two 45 minute periods will be dedicated to Special lesson completion. If your child struggles to complete the assignments, Special Teachers are available to assist during their Office Hours.
Support Class
One of the eight periods is dedicated to our new “Support” class. During this time period, your child will have the opportunity to complete assignments with the assistance of a teacher or receive remediation on concepts that are posing challenges for the class. In addition, activities designed to enhance the social and emotional learning of our students will take place during this time period. We recognize, and we will take steps to duplicate, the social interactions that take place during face to face learning. While this class will not be recorded, nor an academic grade assigned, we are committed to make this a valuable addition to our remote program.
More information to come…
Without question, with less than a month until the first day of school, we still have much to do. In the future, we will be providing you with information covering various other topics including but not limited to:
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The distribution of textbooks / materials / Chromebooks,
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Homework policies and procedures,
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How and when attendance will be taken,
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Student Code of Conduct while in a Remote Setting,
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Meet Your Teacher and Back to School Night Events,
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Extracurricular activities, and
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Much more…
We hope that this information helps form a picture of what remote learning will look like for your child this Fall and is beneficial for you to make preparations at home.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the NCIS administrative team.
Be well.
Jesse Wakeman
Principal
Newark Charter Intermediate School