ZMS Remote Learning Update 4-27-2020
Good evening Cougar Families!
Reminder that on the updated traditional calendar, Friday May 1 is a teacher workday. Live classes will not be held.
WCPSS Information:
Friday you received information from the district regarding: grading guidance, special education, tips for managing remote learning etc. Please review the entire message and click the hyperlinks for more information. https://www.wcpss.net/Page/42838
All schools closed for the remainder of the school year
Athletic championships and spring sports canceled
Nominate your #WCPSSHero
Messages from Board of Education Chair and Superintendent
Grading policy update
Special Education update
Tips for managing remote learning at home
Driving eligibility certificate
Helping 5th graders transition to middle school
Pandemic Electronic Benefits program (P-EBT) for eligible families
Applying for federal free or reduced price school meals
Be counted! | 2020 Census
Sign up for text messages Do you want to get updates from your child’s school via text message? Opt-in by texting YES to the shortcode 67587.
Food services
School playgrounds and athletic fields are closed
The State Board of Education approved an updated Statewide Grading Policy for K-11 students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please view this link for more FAQ FAQ from NC Department of Public Instruction.
Guidance outlined by the new policy provides that:
- Elementary school students will not receive grades for the school year but instead will receive a year-end assessment from their teacher.
- Middle school students will receive a Pass - “PC19” - or Withdrawal - “WC19” - for the final course grades
- Seniors will continue to be graded as Pass/Withdrawal.
Applying for Federal Free or Reduced Price School Meals
We realize that many families’ economic and employment situations have changed during this pandemic. Families can apply at any time for free or reduced price lunch, which may also qualify them for other state and federal benefits. www.wcpss.net/meals
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Program (P-EBT) for Eligible Families
North Carolina approved the distribution of additional resources to families receiving free or reduced-price lunch. The additional benefits will be through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT) to help families buy food during the COVID-19 school closure. Learn more about the P-EBT program on the NC DHHS website. If families contact you about this, please notify your principal and school social worker.
REMOTE LEARNING:
This is just a reminder regarding the expectations of students for remote learning. Students should attend three live sessions each day from 8:20-11:00 am. In addition, they should be completing and viewing 3 hours of assignments from each of their 6 courses. Teachers have office hours 1-2 daily to answer any questions from students. Fridays students attend their 3rd elective at 8:20 and any small group sessions assigned by their teachers.
Each week your child should:
- Spend about 3 hours per class per week completing coursework that is assigned to them by their teacher. This coursework can be found on the "Week at a Glance" for your child's grade level and for their electives by visiting ly/zgtmmskidsor our school's website.
- Attend live class sessions with their teachers. These sessions will provide supplemental instruction, review, answers to questions, practice, discussion, and reflection that can deepen content understanding. The live learning sessions occur 2 times per week per class.
- Check the Google Classrooms for each of their classes frequently for updates and announcements from their teachers.
- Reach out to their teacher(s) if they need help by email, messaging in Google Classroom, joining their teacher for live sessions, joining their teacher for office hours, and asking questions.
A few reminders about etiquette for online learning and virtual classrooms:
- Classroom meetings including students CANNOT be recorded. Students should not record or screen capture session in order to respect the privacy of others.
- Limit background noise. Mute your microphone when you're not speaking.
- Stay focused. Try to join the meeting from a quiet place with few distractions.
- Limit multi-tasking, like eating, texting, watching TV, or walking around.
- Use the camera responsibly. Turn off the video if other people are in the room.
- Wear school appropriate attire.
- Virtual classrooms are meant for students to interact and engage in learning with their teachers and classmates. Parents, we ask that you avoid interacting with teachers and students while live classes are in session. You may reach out to teachers via email or set up a time to video conference with them privately, if desired.
Expectations and Guidelines for Students and Families in Remote Learning
The State Board of Education has provided general guidance that states, “It is paramount to remember the unprecedented condition students are learning in and to focus on engagement more than evaluation.” Additionally, the State Board guidance makes clear that learning should be “accessible by all students for which the learning is intended” and that districts “will focus on supporting student progress and communicating feedback to students and families rather than on assigning grades.”
The following guidelines and expectations have been created to ensure that Remote Learning provides continued learning and support opportunities for students and/or families while maintaining maximum flexibility for teachers, students and families. It is important to keep in mind that as circumstances evolve, so will these initial guidelines and expectations.
- Expectations and Guidelines for Students and Families in Remote Learning
- Remote Learning Feedback Practices:
UNC-TV Partnership
UNC-TV and the NC Department of Public Instruction have established a partnership that will support remote learning with content that will be accessible to students—especially those with limited or no internet access—at no charge.
Each weekday, two blocks of programming on UNC-TV's North Carolina Channel will serve:
- Fourth- through eighth-grade students, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- 9th- through 12th-grade students, from 1 to 6 p.m. (actual times may vary, please check the weekly schedule online here).
- For PreK through third grade, UNC-TV's 24/7 “PBS KIDS” channel -- Rootle -- will continue providing programming appropriate for that age group.
These educational program blocks are available on the North Carolina Channel, available statewide for free over-the-air, through cable providers and streamed online.
LUNCH SITES:
Please utilize this link as it is updated routinely by the district https://www.wcpss.net/domain/16591
PTA:
If you would like to join PTA executive board for the 2020-2021 school year, please contact a representative here is their information: Renee Porter, President zmspta@gmail.com, Cris Fuller, Vice-President zmsptavp@gmail.com, Cleva Gaines, Secretary zmsptasec@gmail.com, Paula Underwood, Treasure zmsptatreasure@gmail.com, Kelvin Lucas, Watch D.O.G.S. & Cougar M.O.M.S. Coordinator zgtmmdogs@gmail.com. https://www.wcpss.net/Page/8198
RESOURCES:
WCPSS Remote Learning Resources website
EL Education Parent Videos and Handouts -
EL Parent Handout (Spanish, English)
Open Up Parent Videos and Handout
New resource for Middle School Mathematics
Acceleration Video for Middle School Mathematics
Parent letter regarding new MS Math resource
Here Comes the Bus APP information: https://bit.ly/2wzQdH6
School Messenger Texts & Email information: https://bit.ly/2Ku77gb
REMINDERS: