COVID-19 SCHOOL CLOSURE UPDATES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15th, 2020
On April 2nd, Governor Holcomb announced that all Indiana schools would be closed for the remainder of the academic year to in person classes. Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jennifer McCormick, announced that all schools are instructed to deliver remote instruction and that the schools must complete 160 total instructional days or at least 20 more days of remote learning from Thursday through the end of the school year. To comply with this update, Randolph Central will be taking the following approach to the remainder of the academic year:
eLearning will continue on every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through May 18th.
May 18th will be the last day of eLearning instruction and the last student day of the academic year.
The school building will remain closed to students, parents, and community members for cleaning through the end of the academic year.
The school office will be staffed on eLearning Days from 9:00AM-2:00PM for any questions that you may have. You may call 765-584-9171 ext. 1200.
We ask that if a visit to the building is absolutely necessary to pick up student supplies needed for eLearning, please call ahead and arrange your visit. More information will come in the following weeks about “end of the school year” protocol for returning Chromebooks and library materials, cleaning out desks, retrieval of personal items, etc.
eLearning Calendar with Assignment Due Dates
On eLearning Days, teachers will continue to:
Post lessons in Unified Classroom by 9:00 a.m;
Be available to provide help and answer questions during office hours of 9:00AM-2:00PM.
What if our family needs a Paper/Pencil Packet?
Packets of work may be picked up in the front lobby of the school on Mondays during the break.
The school lobby will be open from 9:00AM-2:00PM.
Inside the school lobby, there are boxes marked for each teacher.
If you would prefer, we are able to mail packets to you. Please call the Willard office to make arrangements for packets to be mailed.
Due Dates
Each week’s assignments (both online and paper/pencil) are due the following Monday by 2:00 p.m.
For example:
April 13, 14, 16 - eLearning work/instruction
April 20 - all eLearning work from April 13, 14, & 16 is due
eLearning Lessons
Follow the directions your teacher gives you in Unified Classroom to turn in work.
eLearning assignments for the last student day of the school year (May 18th) are due by 2:00PM on Wednesday, May 20th.
Paper/pencil Packets
Bring finished packets back to school to the marked boxes in the lobby. Pick up your next packet while you’re there. New packets will be available each Monday from 9:00AM-2:00PM in the front lobby.
Paper/Pencil assignments for the last student day of the school year (May 18th) will be sent home with assignments for the week of May 11th and are due back by Monday, May 18th.
Grading of eLearning Activities
Rather than traditional grades, the Randolph Central Elementary Schools will be using a rubric-based grading system within our elementary schools. This system is based upon the recently released guidelines from the Indiana Department of Education for elementary schools. While some teachers may continue to place grades into Powerschool for some individual assignments, students will NOT receive a traditional percentage/letter grade for the fourth nine weeks.
Progress Reports will be shared with students for each eLearning week. These reports are intended to provide feedback to students and parents during this period of extended remote learning due to the COVID-19 school closure. We recognize that traditional grading practices may not be meaningful and fair to our families during this time.
While grading practices may look different from traditional methods, it is vital that the work of teaching and learning continue throughout these weeks. Students are still expected to complete eLearning assignments and activities to the best of their ability by the due date.
Progress Reports will be available in Google Drive for students on the Friday of the week assignments are due. For example:
April 6, 7, 9 - eLearning work/instruction
April 13 - all eLearning work from April 6, 7, & 9 is due
April 17 - Progress Reports for the week of April 6th are shared with students and families via Google Drive.
PRIDE
Students will still receive a PRIDE score for the fourth nine weeks based upon their completion or work, appropriateness of interactions with the teacher and others on online platforms, digital citizenship, and more.
2nd and 5th grade students working toward the Work Ethic Certificate will still have the opportunity to achieve the certificate. The community service requirement will be waived for students. All other criteria will still remain for the award.
There will no longer be an application process for the Work Ethic Certificate at grades 2 and 5. The school offices will work to determine those students who qualify for the award based upon their work during the year.
Special Services
Mrs. Lovern will be available to provide assistance to any student in Title One services. If a student needs her assistance, you may email her at llovern@randolphcentral.us.
Mrs. Hoggatt and Mrs. Schroeder are available for all of the students on their caseload. If students need their assistance, you may reach them at ahoggatt@randolphcentral.us and/or sschroeder@randolphcentral.us.
Mrs. Chalfant will be working with her Speech/Language students to set up possible teletherapy services if requested. Her email address is achalfant@randolphcentral.us.
Zoom
Teachers and school staff may be utilizing Zoom as an online platform for teachers and students to interact with one another.
Zoom meetings may occur from 9:00AM to 2:00PM, Monday through Friday. Most Zoom meetings will occur on eLearning Days. If a Zoom meeting is needed on a non-eLearning day, prior permission by the parent via phone call or written response is needed. Written permission may include an email to the principal or teacher.
Every Zoom conference will automatically be recorded and archived. The administration (principals) and teachers will have access to their recorded Zoom meetings.
The following guidelines have been put into place for students for Zoom meetings:
Student Conduct Rules During Zoom Meetings
- Remember that you are on camera and live. Find a quiet place in your house with no distractions. Dress appropriately, following school dress codes. Present yourself in a positive manner.
You are not anonymous. Be mindful of your expressions, speaking tones, and the words you choose. Your voice and video are viewed by everyone participating in the conference. Other people in your house can hear what you and others in the video conference are saying.
Follow the same classroom rules that you would follow in real life. Listen to the teacher. Take turns to speak. Be kind and considerate. Practice the RC PRIDE skill of “respectfulness.
Think before you speak. Stay on topic. Make sure your comments are clear and appropriate to the conversation. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say in your actual classroom.
Be a good listener. Take the time to listen to what people are saying. Don’t interrupt others.
Think before you speak or type in the chat.
Take it slow. Resist the impulse to be silly or to say or type the first thing that comes into your mind.
Video conferencing is a privilege. If you cannot use it responsibly, your access will be removed.
What if my child's Chromebook isn't working?
Call Winchester Community High School at 765-584-1401, extension 1530, to schedule a time to bring in the Chromebook. You can call on any eLearning Day between 9:00AM and 2:00PM.
At your scheduled time, bring your child's Chromebook to WCHS. Enter at door #2.
FREE Lunch & Breakfast
Randolph Central is still offering FREE Grab & Go lunch to all children age 18 and under.
The five locations include: Ridgeville STEPS, Saratoga City Building, Driver Middle School (Door #1), Baker Elementary (Front), and Willard Elementary (Front).
Lunches will be available from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Monday through Friday. The child must be present to receive the free meal.
As always, I invite you to call our office or reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions at all. We'll do our best to be of help as we all work through these days together.