Dear Parents and Guardians,
We hope this email finds you and your families well. We know that there is a great deal of uncertainty about the future course of action for our students with the extension of our current school closing beyond March 30, 2020. We intend to provide clarity for the coming weeks through the information below.
Starting on March 30, 2020, Abington School District will move beyond our current state of enrichment, to new learning opportunities. Parents/guardians can expect their students to be provided learning activities supported by their child’s teachers to continue their academic growth in each course content area. This method of learning will continue until the reopening of schools, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
Through Google Classroom, teachers will deliver instructional materials and resources to support learning. Once your student goes through the process of enrolling in their teacher’s Google Classroom, students will be sent activities, assignments, and a schedule to follow. Each Monday at 9:00 a.m., parents/guardians will receive an email from their child’s teacher that provides an overview of the lessons for the week ahead.
Teachers will send instructions for enrollment in Google Classroom no later than Monday, March 30th. If you have trouble logging in, please visit the Instructional Hub, located on our Coronavirus Resource Center, for a tutorial.
We fully recognize that online learning is not the same as face-to-face instruction. We also understand that our students will not be able to engage in the same way they do when they are in our classrooms. Recognizing this, the teachers are focusing their instruction on the most essential knowledge and skill sets for their courses and content areas, and are designing flexible timelines.
Throughout the week, teachers will monitor student progress, provide timely feedback, and support students by answering questions. They will communicate when, and how, students can contact them for support or assistance. Teachers understand the unique needs of each student and will make good faith efforts to meet those needs. We ask that students do their part by completing their lessons by the due dates assigned, and communicate with their teachers when they need support. Teachers will reach out to parents/guardians of students who appear to need support with the lesson, or who may be non-participatory. As always, teachers will also be available to parents/guardians via email throughout the week, and we encourage you to reach out if you have questions.
If you are a family without access to a device at home, and you have not yet spoken with an Abington School District administrator, please contact your student’s principal as soon as possible.
As we embark on this new platform for continuity of education, we know the strength of our community will guide us through uncharted territory. We greatly appreciate the involvement and support of our families during this time. For more information, including expectations for attendance and grading, please refer to the Continuity of Education Plan, which is accessible via the Instructional Hub located on the District’s Coronavirus Resource Center.
Sincerely,
Toni Butz, Ed.D.
Director of Teaching and Learning