Dear APS Middle School Teachers and Teachers at P-8 Schools, We are in the midst of an unprecedented event and recognize that this represents a rapid change for teachers, staff, and leaders as we move towards remote learning. All in the Division of Equity in Learning are here to help and support! We are collaborating across the system to provide the next steps and the learning to help get you set up to begin work with your students on Tuesday, March 31. Please take a moment to read through this communication so that you are prepared to welcome your students. We are developing a Remote Learning Resources website, which will serve as a one-stop-shop for all of our information and resources. The website will be live officially beginning Monday, March 30. However, here is a ​draft ​that we are sharing in advance this week so that you can begin to become familiar with it. If you have questions or need support, please check the website first. It will have many helpful links, help sheets and details on professional development opportunities. All teachers across the system will adhere to the expectations outlined in the remote learning plan. The information below was communicated on Friday, March 20 through a staff email. Expectations Below are general expectations for staff. Please note that the information provided is neither exhaustive nor comprehensive. Rather, it serves as a starting point for staff. Please ask your supervisor if you have specific questions about your responsibilities. What is Expected from Middle School Teachers (Including at P-8s)? ● Use Google Hangouts/Meet to interact with students for support. ● Create an opportunity for a daily connection circle. ● Assess and give feedback. ● Offer targeted support related to Edgenuity. What is Expected from Preschool-5th Grade Teachers? ● Keep things simple and allow for flexibility in your daily schedule. ● Use Google Hangouts/Meet to interact with students for support. ● Create an opportunity for a daily connection circle. ● Monitor iReady and provide student feedback. ○ Note: Teachers are not expected to deliver instruction to students. This is an optional opportunity for additional support and enrichment. Curricular resources such as Wonders, Teachers College, Bridges, and ELAchieve will not be used in an official teaching capacity. ● Provide opportunities for multilingual learners to engage in oral language practice. Ideas, resources and tips can be found on the remote learning website. ● Grades will not be issued for ECE-5th grade students. We have included additional guidance for general education teachers and teaching partners in the ​Transitioning to Online Learning PK-8 and Middle School​ document. What is Expected from ESS Staff? ● Please review the ​ESS Remote Learning Plan​ thoroughly. What is Expected from Preschool Staff to Support Students with Disabilities? ● Please review the ​ECE (PK only) Virtual Learning Plan​ thoroughly. ● Monitor MTS Gold (Preschool) and use it for student feedback. What is Expected from Mental Health Staff? ● Please review the ​Mental health and Counseling Remote Learning Plan​. ● Mental health staff are expected to be available between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. We are encouraging families to contact their student’s school counselor, social worker or psychologist through Google Hangouts. What is Expected from Teaching Partners? ● Work with your principal to identify check-in points with staff so that you are able to support teachers as they work through the remote learning plan. ● Support teachers as directed by your administration team. ● We will continue some of our district work scheduled for this week and will be in touch on how we can do this together. Training Given the outline of expectations above, we are offering multiple opportunities to access asynchronous (not happening at one specific time) training sessions on technology needs and learning platform needs. These will begin later this week as we know many of you are anxious to get started. Please refer to ​this schedule for PK-8 and middle school teachers​ for times and links. Note that this document will continually be updated. You can access many of the technology training pieces now. Learning platform training (iReady, Edgenuity) will begin on Thursday. Training offered this week is optional for staff. Everyone will be expected to engage in professional learning on ​March 30​. ​This day will start with an opening from your school administrators and you will be provided with additional time to complete other virtual learning. Resources to get you Started ● Setting up Google Classroom - ​Google for Remote Learning ● Become a Google Certified Educator! - ​Level One Google ● G Suite - ​10 G Suite Tips for Working Remote with Teams ● Zoom Rooms - ​User Guide​, ​Teach Online with Zoom​ ​and ​Zoom Resources Office Hours In addition to the tutorials and videos, we are setting up office hours to help and support our staff. Please access ​this document​ to see when support is available. You can access support staff and set an individual appointment if needed. Stay Connected In order to have all resources housed in one area, all of the information here will be included on the APS Remote Learning Resources website as well as the ​Professional Learning website​. Please be sure to “like” the ​Department of Professional Learning’s Facebook page​ for inspirational messages, ideas, and tips to navigate through this unique teaching and learning environment. Remember, we are practicing grace and understanding during this time. Together, we can do this! Andre Wright Chief Academic Officer