School Updates
STM Parents and families,
Before I get into the meat of this communication, I want to make sure that you all are aware that all of the the following information includes PRESCHCOOL through 8th grade students. We need to remember to always include our youngest STM Catholic members 😊. This communication is EXTREMELY long, and my apologies for that, but all the information is very important, time sensitive, and I wanted it housed in one email for your quick reference.
First and foremost, thank you for your patience as we work through these new norms and daily changes that are being mandated by the state and the Archdiocese of Denver. Over the last week, we have had an abundance of change, which includes the amount of time we will not be in classrooms, but rather, engaged in distance learning. At this point in time, we are proceeding with the dates set by Governor Polis that we will be out of school through April 17. If all things remain the same, we will resume classes at school on April 20. A couple of notes on this:
- Spring Break will be as originally planned from 10:30AM on Holy Thursday, April 9 through Friday, April 17. We will NOT be having formal distance learning classes during this time.
- Currently, we are on schedule for our last day of school to be Friday, May 29.
Materials Pick Up – Wednesday, March 25 from 12:00 NOON to 3:00PM
We have asked ALL Kindergarten through 4th (K – 4) grade families to come pick up any remaining materials that your child has in the building. All other families should come pick materials up if they were contacted by teachers or office staff. This includes any technology that is being loaned out to families in need. At this time, we are NO LONGER ACCEPTING REQUESTS FOR TECHNOLOGY TO BE USED AT HOME. The materials pick up is being done in the event we do not and cannot return to school for the remainder of the year.
Distance Learning Plan – Beginning March 30
Beginning next week, the Office of Catholic Schools is asking all Archdiocesan schools to follow a baseline set of expectations for distance learning. The baseline that was set forth includes a prioritization of time on faith formation, reading, and math as the main foundational areas, with science, history, physical education, and the arts as the complementary learning opportunities offered to students. Each distance learning opportunity will be planned to be efficient, geared towards specific curriculum standards, and focus on rich, worthwhile learning activities. Please know that these expectations are a BASELINE and that STM Catholic intends to uphold our high faith formation and academic standards in a manner that is functional and realistic for both parents and students.
Change in Curriculum Standards
The Office of Catholic Schools has developed a guide of the key, most important curriculum standards (power standards) in math and language arts only by grade level. Teachers will use these power standards to determine what has already been mastered in school this year and then use those same standards to prioritize what has yet to be learned. The goal of these power standards is to scale back the amount of work given and focus on the essential standards needed to move students forward into their next grade level for the 2020/2021 school year.
As mentioned above, science, history, PE and the arts will still be integrated into our daily learning. Teachers will be taking into consideration their student populations and rolling out their learning activities with those populations in mind. Please note, as an example, that a “social studies” assignment could be used to support the student’s “reading” objectives for the day/week.
Online Platforms
All teachers will now be integrating Zoom and Google Classroom in their weekly activities. Google Classroom is required for grades 2 - 8 and will be used as stated by your child’s teacher. How this looks for each grade level will be different; however, at a minimum, teachers have been asked to implement the following:
Preschool
- Zoom for circle time, read aloud time, prayer, etc. will be held 2 times per week.
Grades K – 1
- Zoom call for circle time, read aloud time, prayer, etc. will be held 3 times per week.
Grades 2 - 8
- Math – will be done via Zoom daily. Students can join live or watch a recording of the lesson.
- YouTube videos could be used in lieu of, or in addition to, depending on the class.
- Google Classroom – used as outlined by your teacher.
All Grades
“Office Hours”
- Teachers will set up times during the week (at least 2 days/week) when they will be available for teacher/student communication, questions, and interactions. These office hours will not be recorded.
You can expect a communication from your teachers outlining their plans for distance learning going forward, by Friday, March 27. This communication will include times for live Zoom math lessons and their office hours. Please also remember that it is ESSENTIAL for students to be checking blogs EVERY DAY- please ensure they are doing this.
Distance Learning Help
We have set up a separate email account for distance learning specific questions. The email is distancelearning@stthomasmore.org. Please add this to your contacts and mark as safe to ensure you are receiving emails. This platform should be used for general questions relating to the Zoom platform, Google Classroom, or any other online resources being used. Classroom specific questions should continue to go out to the teachers. Mike Jackson will be the point person on this email account. For those of you who don’t know Mr. Jackson, he is a former long-term substitute for STM, as well as a trusted veteran parent who has been a true blessing to us in these times. He knows the ins and outs of STM, so please utilize his expertise! Shortly, Mr. Jackson will be communicating via email to all parents about the functionality of this specific resource. Please be on the look out for this communication. I would also ask that you maintain respect and patience using this resource as well; Mr. Jackson has graciously volunteered his time and talents to help the STM community. Thank you, Mr. Jackson for your presence and help during this time!
Documentation
Currently, I am revamping and simplifying the documentation form we currently have in place. Please know that we will still need you to sign off on your child(ren)s work completed as it must be documented on paper. As soon as I have completed the new form, I will send it out as an attachment in an email. I will be asking that you print this and use if for the remainder of the time we are conducting distance learning. I am asking that you store these documents at your house, and we will collect them at the end of our distance learning time. Also know that teachers will be keeping documentation of student work that can be verified for completion.
Rounding out the Week
Wednesday, March 25
All School Rosary at 9:00AM – live streaming on Facebook. I am asking that all students and available parents join us in honoring Mary. Please see Friday’s Flocknote for the QR Code.
Friday, March 27 - No School
As I mentioned in my communication on Friday, March 20, I am asking that all students take Friday off as teachers will be using the day to plan and develop in more depth their DLPs (Distance Learning Plan). They will then be communicating those plans to you on Friday afternoon. Because of this, teachers will not be checking emails as regularly as they have been and are not mandated to respond immediately.
Monday, March 28 - No School
As you all are receiving a day off on Friday, the teachers will be getting a day off on Monday. I am asking you to take Monday to use the information the teachers are submitting to you on Friday, and have a “family meeting” where you work on the following:
- If you have not already done so, develop a schedule for your school days to come. This schedule could include start time, snack, lunch, recess, and a finish time. Adhering to this schedule will be extremely beneficial and vital in the weeks to come. I would suggest posting the schedule where your students are working and another where you frequently gather so you are all kept on track.
- Go to Zoom.com and learn about this online platform (Mr. Jackson will detail this in his correspondence) and have fun learning its functionalities! Maybe even Zoom call a friend or family you have been missing.
- Log in to Google Classroom with your children (if applicable) and learn about the capabilities of that site – it’s amazing!
Please know that I am not asking you to spend all day accomplishing these goals. I realize parents are still working and juggling their students work and being at home. Maybe a conversation at lunch or while on a walk would be good times to discuss the schedule, etc. Please know that teachers are not being mandated to check email or be online this day.
One Last Thing
The faculty and staff have come up with a tagline that we feel is appropriate for all of us to remember during these times. We will be using it frequently to bring us together as a community and serve as a reminder that, ultimately, we are not in control of all that is going on right now, God is! Be that as it may, we all need a source of strength to make it through the days. So, we will be referencing Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Peace and blessings,
Mrs. DeWolfe