e-Learning: Update for May 8, 2020
Published by Dr. Warke on May 10, 2020

Dear Highlands Families and Staff, 

When you look out your window and see the spring flowers in bloom, the leaves budding on the trees, perennials sprouting from the ground, the earth does not seem to know how different the world is right now. Typically, we would be having our spring band, orchestra, and choral concerts, our 8th graders would be having their traditional end of the year trips and celebrations, our hallways filled with projects, and everyone would be talking about their summer vacations.

Instead, we are conducting interviews for new teachers over zoom. Our conversations are about what the opening of school may look like next school year, if we can hold concerts or after school activities, when our school opening day will be, and what the "new school normal" is with COVID 19 in our world. Nothing that we want to talk about, but conversations that we have to have to prepare for our children and their learning experiences. 

Over the past eight weeks, you have been on a journey with us that none of us expected. If you are like me, I’ve been grieving the fact that we are not physically at work, with our work families experiencing the day to day interactions of that environment. For us educators, it is why we do what we do. It brings us joy to be with children every day, to see the lightbulb moments of learning, to hear the children explain learning a new concept in their own words, to see them walk in the hallway in pairs delivering items to the office, or picking up things they inadvertently left at home.  We were not prepared for the level of uncertainty and routine we knew to come to a grinding halt. I have been trying to establish a new routine. I must say, it has been challenging, and my children are grown! 

I wanted to take a moment to address a few of the questions we have received about project-based learning. Questions that I have heard are, “Why introduce Project-Based learning at this time?” and “Why not continue with what we know?” There were several reasons for the implementation. One was feedback not only from our parents but also from our teachers. Two, there was additional guidance received from the State on remote learning. Three, our e-Learning plan was designed for snow days, or emergency days, not extended periods like learning through a pandemic. Four, we needed to incorporate more standards into the students’ learning experiences to minimize the learning loss. 

The District had a team of stakeholders work from October to February to develop a new Strategic Plan. This plan will guide the District and its decisions for the next five years. Our new mission, By empowering students as partners in learning, the District 106 community fosters academic ownership, dynamic learning experiences, and empathetic citizens supports project-based learning by allowing students to own their learning with scaffolded support and actionable feedback from their teacher. PBL projects, plus instruction in reading and math, allow for the students to read, write, analyze, reflect, and interpret information. These projects promote higher-level skills producing critical thinkers and problem solvers. We know and recognize this is not traditional learning in the sense of education as we know it when we went to school, but we know that research supports this method of learning with teacher support and feedback. 

We also know students need routine. Your feedback has allowed us to improve our programming for our children throughout this crisis. We appreciate the feedback. We do not know what we do not know. Together we can make this a better experience. We will have a final survey at the end of May to help us continue to plan and strengthen our programming. 

Other questions we hear right now are, “What does next school year look like?” When will we be starting?” The short answer is, at this time, we don’t know. Information is still changing at a rapid rate. We can have an answer one day, and then the data can change the next day. What I can tell you is that we are developing three plans. 1)A plan to return as normal, 2) A plan for a hybrid of in-person and remote learning, and finally, 3) A plan for remote learning. I will continue to communicate information as we learn more information. 

Sadly, we have canceled our enrichment summer programming. We are sending a survey out to families of students who previously qualified for our summer achievers programming. We intend to run our achievers programming beginning July 20-August 13. 

 

Next week is student supply pick up. Below is the information for pick up. 

How will I pick up my child(ren)’s belongings/classroom supplies?

Please place your last name on a sign in the front and side window of your vehicle. Your child(ren)'s belongings/supplies will be brought to you using a no-contact system similar to grocery stores. No student pick up of materials is permitted. To ensure the safety of everyone, we ask that no parents or students exit the vehicles during this pick-up time.

Families with students in both buildings will need to stop at each school entrance to receive student materials.

Elementary School

Supplies will be packed up into bags with student names. Tables will be set up outside for each letter (e.g., there will be a table marked "A," "B," etc.). Please pull up to the appropriate table, and a district staff member will bring your items to your vehicle (e.g., into your trunk).

We are collecting library books and Leveled Readers for K and 1. Label these items with your child’s name and teacher’s name. Please put any items in your trunk, and these items will be taken out of your trunk by the person putting your child’s belongings into your trunk. 

 

Middle School

Your child’s school materials and P.E. uniform will be placed in a plastic bag with his/her name on it. For 8th grade students, relevant graduation materials (cap/gown, diploma jacket, etc.) will be included as well. Tables will be set up outside for each letter (e.g., there will be a table marked "A," "B," etc.). Please pull up to the appropriate table, and a district staff member will bring your items to your vehicle (e.g., into your trunk).

We are collecting library books. Label these items with your child’s name and teacher’s name. Please put any items in your trunk, and these items will be taken out of your trunk by the person putting your child’s belongings into your trunk. 

 

Monday, May 11:

9:00am - 12:00pm -- Last Name A-D

1:00pm - 4:00pm -- Last Name E-I

 

Rain Date: Tuesday, May 12

 

Wednesday, May 13:

9:00am - 12:00pm -- Last Name J-M

1:00pm - 4:00pm -- Last Name N-Q

 

Rain Date: Thursday, May 14

 

Friday, May 15:

9:00am - 12:00pm -- Last Name R-U

1:00pm - 4:00pm -- Last Name V-Z

 

Rain Date: Monday, May 18

 

Note: Please email your building principal if your assigned date/time doesn't work for your schedule.

The teachers deserve a huge thank you, especially during this week, Teacher Appreciation Week for all they do every day. Now more than ever, we know how hard they work for our children. Thank you for your partnership in learning. 

Stay safe and well, 

Dr. Warke