I hope this message finds everyone safe, healthy and enjoying their summer. As a school leader, I am finding that I need to get really comfortable with being flexible and open to change, as our world is in a very unpredictable place. As you are aware, decisions continue to be updated and changed based on current information. Please note important changes in the return to school plan.
Please note that most of the information in this letter has already been shared, however, the information is important for all parents to know.
First day of school – August 24 and remote for all students:
DPS will begin the 2020-21 school year with remote learning, with a delayed first day of remote school on Aug. 24. All students will remain in remote/virtual learning through October 16. At that time, based on current information DPS will determine when and how to begin in-person learning.
Parent Town Hall Meetings
Sally Whitelock, Principal, and Benita Cervantes, Assistant Principal, will be hosting two virtual Town Hall meetings to share most up to date information regarding returning to school this Fall, as well as, answer questions from parents. Please join us if you would like to on:
** August 5 at 8:00 -9:00 AM -Link: meet.google.com/tfv-xivs-ypq
** August 6 at 5:00-6:00 PM -Link: meet.google.com/fpb-ayta-sfs
Annual Family Update – Open July 27:
The annual student registration process will launch on July 27, 2020. Families are strongly encouraged to register online through the Annual Family Update to avoid in-person interactions. It is imperative that families complete this document online as soon as possible, preferably prior to August 7, in order for us to prepare for staffing of both the 100% virtual program and the hybrid in-person/remote option.
** Please note that a mandatory supplemental form will be included to capture each student’s enrollment decision for either the In-Person/Remote Learning option or the 100% Virtual/Online option. Parents will make a choice to be in effect for through December 2020.
** You must have a Parent Portal account to participate online. If you need to open a Parent Portal account so you can do the update and have access to other important information about your student, go to https://myportal.dpsk12.org/ and click on Getting Started. ** You will need your student’s DPS ID# to start your account. If you forgot your password or you can’t log in, you can get help by emailing portalteam@dpsk12.org or calling the portal hotline at 720.423.3163. If you don’t know your student’s ID# you can email Michelle Miller in the office at michelle_miller@dpsk12.org or Barbara Schrant at maria_schrant@dpsk12.org.
** To access the Annual Family Update, go to the DPS website at https://www.dpsk12.org/ and click on the Departments & Services tab and scroll down to SchoolChoice and Enrollment. There will be a link for Annual Family Update once it is active on July 27. You will use your Parent Portal username and password to get in. Only the parent listed as the first emergency contact in the primary household in IC can do AFU.
** If you do not have computer access, you may come to Edison to complete your student’s annual update on August 7 from 9:00-3:00. If your child has had additional immunizations please bring an updated record.
TECHNOLOGY DEVICE: It is important that every DPS student (K-12) has a computer or Chromebook that they can access throughout the day. Students who participate in the ‘In-person/Remote option’ will need to bring this computer to school and home each day. Each student will need their own computer (they will not be able to share). Therefore, Edison will be lending Chromebooks to any K-5 student that needs one. If your child has an Edison Chromebook, please keep it to use for remote/virtual learning. If your child needs a Chromebook, please communicate this on Annual Family Update.
** Please watch for further communication regarding distribution of Chromebooks and other learning materials prior to the first day of school. This will most likely occur on August 20 & 21.
Virtual One-on-one Meetings – August 19 & 20
For all Edison students, in order to support parents and students with beginning the school year successfully, Edison’s classroom teachers will be hosting virtual one-on-one meetings with each student in their classroom on August 19 and 20. During this time, teachers will complete quick reading screenings, share learning expectations for the first two weeks of school and introduce students to the Seesaw platform.
** Please watch for information regarding how to sign up for these virtual one-on-one meetings.
** Please note, the Kindergarten assessment day for August 11 is now CANCELLED. Kindergarten students will participate in virtual one-on-one meetings August 19 & 20.
Virtual Back to School Night – August 20
Back-to-school night is an important event each August in which teachers provide parents and students with a lot of information regarding school and classroom expectations, as well as begin to build new relationships. This year, in order to keep everyone safe and healthy, Back-to-School night will be virtual. Please plan on the following:
Parents will receive an email from teachers on August 17 with important information regarding the school year and links to Google Meetings.
Each teacher will host a 30 minute virtual Back-to-School night meeting via GoogleMeets on August 20. Meeting times will be as follows:
3:00 – ECE
3:30 – Kindergarten
4:00 – 1st grade
4:30 – 2nd grade
5:00 – 3rd grade
5:30 – 4th grade
6:00 – 5th grade
100% ONLINE/VIRTUAL option or IN-PERSON/REMOTE option:
We are preparing for a school year that will offer a fully virtual learning option for families who want it, in addition to an in-person (as conditions allow)/remote option, based on the guidance of our health partners. To help families in their decisions for the new school year, this is a summary of how Edison’s learning options will work for the Fall semester (and perhaps the school year).
100% Virtual learning option:
* Students will participate in school online, virtually from August 24-December 18. Students will NOT attend school in-person.
* Students will be assigned a teacher from Edison, if possible. In some cases, students will be assigned to a teacher from a different school in our community based on class sizes and staffing availability. This will be the assigned teacher for at least the first semester.
* Students will participate in the Edison curriculum and follow the same schedule, to the extent possible, as students attending the ‘in-person/remote option.’ Math and small reading groups will continue to be differentiated to support all students in receiving engaging and challenging learning experiences.
* Students will engage in learning in a variety of learning modes. Students will engage in: 1) live, google meets whole group and small group lessons multiple times during the day; 2) completion of work independently both online and on paper; 3) practice of skills using apps like ixl.com and AR.
* Students will be engaged in learning for the entire school day daily, Monday-Friday, with a break for lunch and activity break and brain breaks throughout the day. * * Attendance will be required daily, all day.
In-person/Remote learning option:
* Students will participate in school remotely from August 24-October 16. Beginning October 16, students will engage in in-person learning, if conditions allow us to do so safely, or will continue with remote/online learning until conditions allow. Students may go back and forth between in-person and remote learning based on health and safety protocols.
* Students will be assigned a teacher from Edison. This will be the assigned teacher for at least the first semester for both in-person and remote/online learning.
* Students will participate in the Edison curriculum and follow the same schedule whether in person or remotely/online. Math and small reading groups will continue to be differentiated to support all students in receiving engaging and challenging learning experiences.
*When students are participating in remote/online learning, students will engage in learning in a variety of learning modes. Students will engage in: 1) live, google meets whole group and small group lessons multiple times during the day; 2) completion of work independently both online and on paper; 3) practice of skills using apps like ixl.com and AR.
* When students are participating in in-person learning, students will engage in learning in a variety of learning modes, with health and safety safeguards in place. Students will receive direct instruction as a larger group, will work in small groups with the teacher, will work individually at their desks, and will work with peers at a distance and while wearing masks. Among others, some health and safety safeguards will include:
– Health screenings daily for all staff and students prior to entering the building;
– Students will be in cohorts (same class/group of students all day). Some students may be placed in a maximum of two cohorts based on staffing or student needs.
– Lunch will be in classrooms or outside;
Masks, frequent hand washing and social distancing required;
– All students will have their own work space/desk, separated from peers;
– Frequent disinfecting of common areas (bathrooms, door knobs, stair rails, etc);
– Students will be engaged in learning for the entire school day daily,, Monday through Friday, whether in-person or remote/online. Attendance will be required daily.
** Please know that teacher assignments, class lists and daily schedules will change. Our hope is to finalize these on or before August 14, however, we need all Annual Family Updates complete before this will be possible.
DPS will continue to communicate closely with the public health departments and government officials as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. As decisions are made and adjustments are made, DPS and I will communicate this with families.
Thank you for your continued support, flexibility and kindness during this difficult time. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns at Sally_whitelock@dpsk12.org or Benita_Cervantes@dpsk12.org
Sincerely,
Sally Whitelock, Principal
Benita Cervantes, Assistant Principal
