Wednesday, March 18, 2020

FPS: Family letter Keeping the Learning Alive - Mar 17, 2020

March 17, 2020
 
Dear Families,

We hope that you are doing well as we all navigate this unprecedented time in education and society. We hope that the information below provides some guidance in “Keeping the Learning Alive” at home. This information was also shared with teachers today and our purpose in sharing it with you is to ensure that students and families are on the same page with regard to expectations. 

There is no one right answer as to how to do this but we share a common goal: we all wish the very best for our students while they are not in school. Flexibility is key as things continue to change and shift. We will continue to communicate directly with you and encourage you to reach out via email to your child’s teacher(s) or principal if you have questions or comments. Together, we will get through this!

This letter will be translated into multiple languages and posted to our webpage on March 18, 2020.

Counseling Support
INTERFACE Referral Service
This is a stressful time and support is available to you and your family. If someone in your Franklin family, including your child is in crisis, where they are a threat to themselves or others, you should call 911. As always, if you feel that someone in your Franklin family, including your child would benefit from outpatient mental health services we encourage you to utilize the INTERFACE Referral Service (https://interface.williamjames.edu/community/franklin), which is free to all Franklin residents.

Teaching and Learning
Logistical Items:
1. Report Cards (Pre-K and Elementary)
  • a. Report cards will be generated and sent home upon return to school.
  • b. Progress reports will also be sent home upon return from school.
2. Grading
  • a. Grading is suspended until we return from school. Teachers may provide feedback on anything students choose to share electronically while out of school.
  • b. Teachers have been asked to complete any grading for assignments that were turned in on or by Thursday, March 12. If appropriate, feedback will be sent to students and families electronically.
  • c. Report card dates, etc. will be reviewed and revised as needed upon return to school

Expectations of Teachers for Keeping the Learning Alive  
Communication:

1. Teachers and principals will be checking their email daily. Responses should come to you in a reasonable period of time, but please understand that they too are dealing with the impacts of the Coronavirus in their own homes.

2. Teachers will be reaching out to students and families to reconnect. We have asked that they establish a predictable, routine check-in process. We believe that it is critical that students and teachers maintain the connections that have been formed. Relationships are the most important aspect of the home/school partnership, especially during times of stress, such as this unusual extended closure of school.

3. You may also hear from school adjustment counselors, special education teachers, specialists, Unified Arts teachers, etc. Again, the goal is to maintain connections with our students. Your help in facilitating this is greatly appreciated.

4. If you have a specific need that we can help with, please email or reach out to your child’s teacher(s) or principal. We are here to help and support both students and families. We care deeply about and miss our students.

Instruction:
1. The goal of “Keeping Learning Alive” is to provide enrichment opportunities and resources to students and families. There is to be no NEW or forward instruction during the time that we are out of school. While we are working to allow for Chromebook borrowing and connecting families to low cost Internet access, not all students have the learning support they need to complete/learn new work. Therefore, the emphasis is on enrichment, practice, and depth.

2. You will shortly begin to see teachers sharing resources with you to “Keep Learning Alive”. These resources may come from the new FPS Learning page (https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/fpscommunitylearningresource/home), DESE curated resources (coming soon), or from the teacher/team/grade.
  • a. This is not online coursework; it is enrichment and alternative learning opportunities.

3. We are not transferring responsibility for learning or homeschooling to families.

4. These activities are optional for families and student participation is not required. We do encourage it, to the extent possible for your family.

5. We do encourage you to set a regular routine with your children and hope that you will choose to participate in some of the activity suggestions coming your way. A sample schedule for younger children is shared on the family resources section of the FPS Learning page.

6. The materials you receive will not replicate a regular school day.

7. Please connect with your child’s principal if you need Internet access. There are some low-cost options available to you.

Our faculty is eager to connect with students and is/has been actively planning from home to make resources available to children. For us, it was so heartwarming and uplifting to connect with hundreds of our educators across the district during two live virtual calls earlier today. We are all invested in supporting students during this difficult time.

For questions about the FPS Learning Plan, please contact your child’s teacher, principal, or Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, Dr. Joyce Edwards (edwardsj@franklinps.net).

Student Services
New Referrals/Initial Eligibility:

We, along with other schools in the Commonwealth, will freeze evaluation, referral, and individual education plan distribution timelines for all students in a referral cycle during school closure. This means that as soon as schools open again, the timelines will commence as is required by state and federal regulations.

Annual Reviews/Evaluations in Process:
We, along with other schools in the Commonwealth, will freeze evaluation, annual review, and individual education plan distribution timelines for all students on IEPs and 504s during school closure. This means that as soon as schools open again, the timelines will commence as is required by state and federal regulations. Team Chairs will be working with families to understand the impact of the closure on students and to reschedule meetings.

Home ABA Services:
Home ABA services funded by Franklin Public Schools will be suspended until further notice.

Home/Hospital Tutoring:
Home and Hospital Tutoring occurs outside of the school buildings, and as such, families can decide whether or not they will allow tutoring staff into their homes. As a practice, Franklin Public Schools does not provide tutoring when school is not in session. For students currently receiving home or hospital tutoring, please understand that our ability to send contracted service providers into homes is contingent upon student’s and staff’s perceived health and wellness in accordance with state and CDC guidelines.

OOD/Residential Placements:
For students in Out-of-District day or residential placements, Franklin Public Schools will follow the attendance recommendations of the individual school or facility. If the Out-of-District day school is in session, we will continue to transport your child.

365 Day Residential Placements:
For students in 365-day residential placements, Franklin Public Schools will follow the attendance recommendations of the individual school or facility.

For Questions about Student Services, please contact your child’s special education liaison, service provider, principal, or the Director of Student Services, Ms. Paula Marano (maranop@franklinps.net).

English Language Development
Teachers from the English as a Second Language Department will be reaching out to families with information and supportive materials later this week.

Once again, we cannot stress enough that our goal for this time out of school is to maintain the positive relationships we have with students. We are here to help and welcome your comments and suggestions. This situation is new for all of us and your collaboration is encouraged and welcomed. Please take care of yourself and your family.

Respectfully,

Franklin Public Schools


Download a copy of this letter here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-1xpSYgda_MR1RT0TQ6t7fMq33LBbD2a/view?usp=sharing

As noted above, this letter will be translated into multiple languages and posted to the Town of Franklin page on March 18, 2020
 
FPS: Family letter Keeping the Learning Alive - Mar 17, 2020
FPS: Family letter Keeping the Learning Alive - Mar 17, 2020

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