MCPS Communicates Goals and Resources for First Week of Remote Learning

School Buildings Closed Through April 24; Remote Learning Starts Monday, March 30

With Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) starting remote learning on Monday, March 30, Superintendent of Schools Jack Smith sent a message to the school community Friday evening. The letter, titled “Continuity of Learning in MCPS: Getting Started” explained the goals of the first week. A copy of the message may be found below and on the school districts website here.

MCPS recently launched the Continuity of Learning web page to guide parents, students and staff through the first week of remote learning.

Dr. Smith detailed the goals of the first week of school (March 30-April 3). They are found in the letter and copied below:

• Reconnect students and teachers;
• Ensure students can engage in online lessons and practice interacting with online tools and submitting assignments;
• Ensure staff receive the professional development needed to deliver a quality remote learning experience for students;
• Help families establish home schedules that outline when a student will be engaged in lessons and
• Work on assignments to close out Marking Period 3 (originally scheduled for March 27).

The letter broke down the assignments for next week by age group, therefore a section for elementary school, middle school and high school students. There is also a checklist for parents to get their student(s) ready for online learning.

Dr. Smith’s message sent Friday titled “Continuity of Learning in MCPS: Getting Started“:

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Community Members,

On Monday, March 30, we are launching the first phase of our online learning plan. While our school buildings remain closed until April 24, our staff has been working hard for weeks to develop continuity of learning (remote/distance learning) plans that address the academic and non-academic needs of our students.

Rolling out a remote learning plan in a system as large as MCPS will take coordination, collaboration, training and practice. Staff and students are being asked to teach and learn in new and unfamiliar ways. We must be patient with each other and understand that the system won’t be perfect and we will need to adjust as we go.

During our first week of phase one (March 30-April 3) of remote learning, we will:

• • Reconnect students and teachers;
  • Ensure students can engage in online lessons and practice interacting with online tools and submitting assignments;
  • Ensure staff receive the professional development needed to deliver a quality remote learning experience for students;
  • Help families establish home schedules that outline when a student will be engaged in lessons and
  • Work on assignments to close out Marking Period 3.

It is important to note that remote learning plans are not meant to be an exact model of the typical school day when students are in our buildings. Our remote plan provides a good mix of teacher instruction and support; independent, age-appropriate self-paced work; and submission of graded assignments. We need to provide both structure and flexibility for students, teachers and families. We will build upon this work in phases as we all⸺students, families and staff⸺ become familiar with a new remote learning environment.

What to Expect (For Parents and Guardians of Elementary Students)

On Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31, your child will:

• • Participate in a webinar with an adult in your household on how to access learning platforms and information on what the weeks will look like, and get tips for online learning

On Wednesday, April 1, your child will:

• • Attend their first virtual class meeting with their teacher. Their teacher will:
    • Set virtual rules and expectations;
    • Establish routines, and
    • Focus on students’ social-emotional learning.

Case managers and special education teachers will begin connecting with their students.

ESOL teachers, counselors, pupil personnel workers, paraeducators and other staff will connect with students and families throughout the week.

On Thursday, April 2, your child will:

• • Participate in an interactive read-aloud
  • Preview Eureka Math Lesson 1 and participate in a special lesson

On Friday, April 3, your child will:

• • Participate in a class meeting and social-emotional learning activities
  • Participate in Eureka Math Lesson 1
  • Debrief the math lesson
  • Watch a video lesson on specials, such as art, music or physical education

In this remote learning structure, daily learning will not be equivalent to a six-hour day. Students in Grades K-2 should complete approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of work per day. Students in Grades 3-5 should complete approximately 2.5 to 3 hours of work per day. This time is divided into three parts: viewing lessons; live time with the teacher; and completing independent work.

As we begin, we will start with literacy, mathematics and specials, including art, music and physical education. Once we feel confident that our new learning system is working smoothly, we will add science content and then, social studies content.

What to Expect (For Parents and Guardians of Middle and High School Students)

During the first week, teachers will receive training on the technology platforms and check in with their students via email or other methods that their classes are accustomed to.

On Monday, March 30 and Tuesday March 31, your child will:

• • Participate in online tutorials with parents/guardians to become better familiar with the technology

On Wednesday, April 1, your child will:

• • Be in touch with their teacher by Wednesday afternoon to schedule a time to meet virtually for the first “check-in” meeting and begin discussion about remaining assignments for the third marking period

Case managers and special education teachers will begin connecting with their students.

ESOL teachers, counselors, pupil personnel workers, paraeducators and other staff will connect with students and families throughout the week.

On Thursday, April 2, your child will:

• • Be in touch with their teacher regarding third marking period assignments

On Friday, April 3, your child will:

• • Be in touch with their teacher  regarding third marking period assignments

The third marking period will end on Friday, April 17. We will do everything in our power to ease the stress on students to successfully finish the third marking period in a fair, manageable way, and then transition to new content for the fourth marking period. We are committed to maximum flexibility, fairness and multiple opportunities for students in their grades.

What to Expect (For Parents of Students in Special Schools)

If your child attends Longview, RICA, Stephen Knolls, Rock Terrace or Carl Sandburg Learning Center, please read this letter for additional details on what your child can expect the first week. Case managers and special education teachers will begin connecting with their students. Students receiving special education services at a special school will have a modified schedule and receive modified materials.

Supports for Special Education Students

Special education teachers and case managers will contact students on their caseloads to discuss the individualized supports and strategies necessary to access the continuity of learning plan and to implement the goals in the IEP.

Supports for ESOL Students

ESOL teachers, counselors, pupil personnel workers, paraeducators and other staff will connect with students and families throughout the week.

CHECKLIST: Getting Your Child Ready for Online Learning

Here are steps you can take to help get your child ready for a successful remote learning experience:

• • Technology & Access
    • Ensure you know your child’s myMCPS and/or Google Classroom password. Details, instructions and answers to frequently asked questions about myMCPS  can be found here.
    • Practice logging in to myMCPS or Google Classroom.
    • If your child lacks a laptop or internet access at home, contact the school to make pick-up arrangements to borrow a Chromebook or MiFi (personal wireless hotspot) before April 1.
  • Get Ready to Learn
    • Review the online tutorials with your child by April 1.
    • Review the Week 1 (March 30-April 3) schedule with your child.
  • Create an Optimal Work Environment
    • Find a space in your home for your child to complete their work. It will be helpful if that space has minimal distractions.
  • Establish Routine
    • Routines are very important for children. Try to maintain a consistent schedule for your child to follow each day.
    • Know the designated times of learning opportunities and teacher office hours, so that you can build your child’s work schedule around them.
  • Understand How to Get Help
    • Contact the school principal. If you need assistance in another language, please call ASKMCPS at 240-740-3000.
    • Keep your child’s teachers’ contact information handy.

Looking Forward

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make this transition. We are very grateful to our staff for they are stepping up to this challenge as we face this global pandemic together. For ongoing updates on remote learning, please go to our Continuity of Learning web page.

Sincerely,

Jack R. Smith, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools