Administrator's Corner

We are gearing up for the two remote days, December 21st and 22nd.  As we prepare here are a few questions, with answers, that may be on your mind.

Remind me again why we are having two remote days?

MCS is extremely fortunate to be the recipient of nearly $300,000 in grant funding to overhaul our HVAC system.  The catch is that this work needs to be completed by the first of the year.  In order to accommodate the installation timeline, we need to vacate the building for these two days.  This small sacrifice now will make our building healthier in the future!

How will my child access the work and teachers during remote learning days?

Each teacher is sending home a zoom link that will be used both days, as well as during any future remote learning days.  This one link will always gain you access to any zoom lessons with that teacher.  In addition, your child has been taught how to sign into the google classroom that houses all their assignments and where they will put completed work.  This week and next, students will be taught how to access this information.

When will my child be expected to be on zoom? 

Each teacher has or will be sending home a copy of the schedule for both of these days. For these two days we will use the whole group times listed on the remote learning schedule.  In the future, if we need to be remote for a longer time, we will add small group work times during the day.

Do we have to participate in everything on the schedule?

Yes, for these two days to be counted as days of school, we need to provide instruction throughout the school day.  Your child will be counted as present only if he or she attends all sessions on the schedule, just like a regular school day. 

What about the special classes like art, music, library, French, guidance, technology, and physical education?

Special area teachers are providing instruction during these days.  It is required that students attend these sessions.  You will receive a link for the specials teacher class, which will be the same for both days.

How can I make these days successful for my child?

Thanks for asking!  We ask that you review the schedule with your child and make a plan for supporting your child during initial log ins.  For younger children, it will be necessary for you to help get your child logged in and set up in a quiet location.  As always, we ask that you encourage your child to do their best work. 

These are the two days before vacation, what do you hope to accomplish?

The emphasis of these days is to trial run our schedule.  These days are an opportunity for teachers, students, and families to work together and see which parts of the schedule work well and those areas that will need revision.  Teachers will work to teach students expectations for remote learning, structures that will be used, practice zoom etiquette, breakout rooms, locating assignments, passing in assignments, and much more.  There will not be a lot of heavy duty content instruction during these days, but instead learning about how to be a successful remote learner...with the hope that we will not need to use these skills!

What if my child has an appointment and misses a class?  Are they considered absent?

No, but we ask that you email your teacher in advance to share that your child will be absent for part of the day.  Just line with in person school, there are times when students need to miss class. 

I heard that there will still be students in the building, is that true?

Yes, during these days we will still have preschoolers as well as students who do not have the ability to access the internet.  We have worked with the project manager to ensure that it is safe to have these students in the building, and it is.  Staff will also be working from the building. 

Finally, what do I do if we get stuck or have questions during these days?

Mr. Bagnato and I will be on call during these days to problem solve with anyone who needs assistance.  If you have any difficulty, please call the school.  We will assist you to the best of our ability. 

Thank you in advance for helping to make December 21st and 22nd successful remote learning days.  This is the perfect way to test out the plan for remote learning, knowing that it is just for two days.  I am optimistic that we will keep working together to make good choices about travel, gatherings, and mask wearing, which will result in our ability to stay in person...especially with a new HVAC system in place!      

Stay well,

Shawn