CPS Remote Learning

Dear Parents,

Earlier this week, Governor Baker announced that our schools will now be closed until May 4, 2020, which changes and places different expectations on how we provide learning to our students during this truly unprecedented time. I appreciate your patience and support as we navigate this ever-evolving situation. We know this has not been easy, and there are still many unknowns as this situation progresses. Please know that we understand and will provide as much support possible throughout this extended school closure – this is new to all of us. Fortunately, we have a deeply committed and dedicated staff here in Chelmsford that are excited to be connecting with their students again and are actively working to re-engage them in the learning process. I do want to point out that many of our staff are experiencing the same hardships you are experiencing, having to learn to work remotely, balance home – life responsibilities, and caring for their own children and families. Please continue to be patient and understanding as we embark together in this new learning landscape.

Since my last update, many things have been accomplished to both manage the current situation and prepare for future work. Our CPS administration created a planning document and guidance for staff to begin to frame their work in the coming weeks. This past week, teachers were allowed to return to their schools and classrooms to gather needed materials and technology. Teachers and staff also had the opportunity to participate in their own professional learning with the intention of launching more structured learning activities with students in the days and weeks ahead.

Many teachers and staff participated in virtual remote professional development sessions to learn more about our supported technologies and on-line teaching tools such as Google Classroom and its many applications available through Google G-Suite and other learning platforms your children are familiar with and currently use daily in their classrooms. Our teaching teams and administrators have had grade and department level virtual meetings to begin discussions about how to best be working with and supporting students and families while transitioning to remote learning activities during this school closure. Further, many teachers, counselors, administrators, and support staff have been reaching out to families daily for check-ins and to simply let students and families know they are thinking about them, they are available to support them, and they are preparing to continue learning with them in the coming weeks.

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) issued guiding principles for educational communities, such as ours, and specific recommendations regarding remote learning to assist districts across the state continue to support their students during this crisis. One of my superintendent colleagues framed the situation well stating, “that we're approaching this problem as if it's an educational crisis - when in reality, it's a health crisis that has an educational impact.” I have heard expectations from some that we need to have the same educational outcomes in June that we've always had, and so we have to simply move forward by changing our delivery model. This is simply not possible as distance learning, or remote learning as recently termed by MA DESE, cannot replicate or replace students’ experiences in their school communities. This statement is especially true in the earlier grades. We would be fooling ourselves if we suggested otherwise. What we need to do in the coming weeks is to embrace and support new learning opportunities and styles during this extended school closure period.

Some of our teachers are still trying to connect with their students (over the phone, by e-mail, through online gatherings, etc.). Others have been and will continue to connect regularly with their classes on-line on set days and times. This is a work in progress. Some students may have trouble getting and staying connected to learning in this new environment, but please know that teachers and administrators may too. If we waited to launch or perfect our remote learning activities until everyone was comfortable or on the same page, we would never begin. I speak for all of us at CPS when I say this is new ground and territory we have never experienced in the past. I am extremely proud of our community’s emphasis and focus on providing for the health and wellness of our students, families and staff during this time.

Next week, and in the weeks to follow, we will be expanding upon the previously provided enrichment activities that were suggested for students as learning resources. Our teachers will begin, if they haven’t already, to work regularly with their students and set expectations for participation in learning activities. Collectively, we will work towards providing clarity as we address many of the questions we are hearing from students and parents about grading, the provision of special education and English language services, how to handle end of year activities, etc. I will provide direction and regular guidance, as will school leaders and individual teachers, over this school closure. Plans will be shared as they are developed and agreed to by all of our district stakeholders.

Earlier this afternoon, I joined 26 other school district superintendents from the greater Merrimack Valley, in the issuance of a joint statement to our communities that pledged our support for and work toward a long-term vision for education and learning during these trying times – underpinned by the principle that our collective work will create an educational experience to best meet the needs of ALL learners. I look forward to this collaborative work in the days and weeks to follow. This will be a work in progress. However, you have my unwavering commitment to provide students and families with the guidance, tools and supports necessary to access activities, resources, and most importantly, their teachers and support staff during this closure. I am proud to serve as superintendent of the Chelmsford Public Schools with our caring, committed, dedicated, and talented faculty and staff – everyone is stepping up to help and play their part. We will get through this challenging time together, looking out for and supporting each other.

Please know the district is also working to streamline communications, especially during this closure when many important notices are coming from individual teachers, schools and the district. As many schools have moved to using the SMORE platform for weekly and monthly communications that includes not only messages, but accessible links to important information in one location. I have also incorporated this communication in a SMORE format.

Please remember to take care of yourself, your families, and look out for your community members as well. Be safe and stay well. More to follow.

Yours truly,

Jay Lang, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Remote Learning is when the teacher and student are separated by distance and time, which cannot replicate a traditional classroom setting. Using technology, teachers and students connect through learning platforms, video sessions, discussion boards, chats/hangouts, and email. Remote learning can occur synchronously or asynchronously to provide flexibility and schedules for students to access learning.

As part of our Strategic Plan, CPS launched a 1:1 initiative that started with grades 5 and 9 and will incorporate the remaining middle and high school grades in subsequent years. With this initiative, there was a study committee that provided the recommendations needed to start this initiative with a focus on Blended Learning creating a hybrid model of instruction. Professional development and graduate course work in Blended Learning were developed and provided for all teachers to learn how to use technology as a learning tool for students. Although the initial intent of the professional development and coursework was to implement technology in a blended traditional and home environment, this framework helped our district create plans to support teachers and students in this transition. The steering committee work provided us with a thorough review with recommendations of the 1:1 initiative to now apply towards a transition to remote learning. This foundation was key in helping us think and plan for remote learning to continue engagement in learning for our students.

The Information Communication Technology Services Steering Committee Report can be accessed through the following link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MDFOJvhyr8Xu9M-5M1-zDCvA3xynp8pXMcMT9nDoWLE/edit#heading=h.gjdgxs

Part of our remote learning plan is to incorporate a process that includes a paradigm shift in our thinking of how and when students learn. We are aware that we cannot replicate the school day under these circumstances, nor can we expect parents to take on the role of their child’s teachers. This is an unprecedented situation, and we recognize that there may be times when other circumstances may take priority over remote learning and that there are other activities that do not require a device to learn. Remote learning provides a platform for students access the activities that teachers are creating for them in their Google Classroom. With this in mind, we have encouraged teachers to provide students with fun, interesting, interdisciplinary age and level appropriate activities. Additionally, we have asked teachers to create opportunities for students to stay connected to them and their peers to be part of a collaborative learning community. With remote learning, staff will not be online all day teaching daily lessons. Staff are already creating fun and enriching activities for students to access remotely and connecting with students.

All Google Meets will be recorded (audio/video and text). Students are expected to behave in an appropriate way, exhibiting our P.R.I.D.E. expectations, while participating in online activities. This is an extension of the classroom, and all handbooks and district policies apply.

A student shall be disciplined for creating and/or distributing written or electronic material, including Internet Postings that causes a substantial disruption to school operations and/or interferes with the rights of other students or staff members. Violations shall result in disciplinary action.

There are many ways that remote learning can be conducted. Our district is equipped with many tools that students are familiar with to access activities and assignments. At this current time teachers will be doing the following:

• Setting up contact times with students
• Populating Google Classroom with activities and assignments
• Reviewing previous learning standards
• Holding class meetings with our G-Suite tools
• Experimenting with new ways to teach and learn
• Connecting students to learning again
• Evolution of the process and change

This is a new situation for students, families, and teachers. Expect that there will be some "bumps" in the road for everyone. Teachers are working tirelessly to learn and create the best possible learning environment for students. There will be multiple iterations and changes as the weeks' progress. Everyone will have to exhibit patience as this work roles out. Students, families, and teachers are encouraged to not be so hard on themselves in the days and weeks ahead. There is no "right" or "standard" way to conduct a remote learning environment, especially in these current circumstances.

CPS is a Google District and uses Google Classroom and G-Suite as its platform and products for learning. Many teachers and students are very familiar with Google and have been using it throughout the school year. Below you will find directions for CPS students to access their Google Classroom and parent tutorials to learn more about these products.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM - CPS STUDENT DIRECTIONS:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wl75FNH7qGDHogS1l65LuYujkv7rhIRXR0FCg3TFHSk/edit#heading=h.ce7vf1a0w3w3

G-CLASSROOM AND G-TUTORIALS FOR PARENTS:

https://edu.google.com/products/classroom/?modal_active=none

https://edu.google.com/products/gsuite-for-education/?modal_active=none

https://sites.google.com/ab-ed.org/gsuite-for-parents/home?authuser=0

CPS uses the Clever Portal Single Sign-on System. Clever allows students in our district a one-stop secure sign-on access portal to all district resources including books, files, and online website platforms.

Commissioner Jeff Riley has requested a waiver from the federal government for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam requirements and is waiting on approval. Once final approval is obtained, the state legislature on Beacon Hill must also sign off on the proposal that Governor Baker submitted this week before Commissioner Riley can proceed with a final decision.

Prior to our departure from school, the second trimester at the elementary level ended on March 10th. Elementary students' report cards have been posted for families to view. At the secondary level, discussions are happening as to the best course of action for terms 3 and 4 reporting. There are additional factors that need to be explored before a decision can be made, including the effect on student transcripts at the high school level, and how that will connect to higher education standards. Once a final determination is made, a notice will go out to families.

There are some very important updates concerning the 2020 AP exams. The College Board has issued their first major update regarding the AP exams which can be found, in its entirety, here:

https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/news-changes/coronavirus-update.

• This is the information that the College Board has issued up to this date. The major changes that everyone should be aware of are:

• All tests will be shortened to only include the material that the College Board deems covered by the end of March. Each subject is different and a chart of what will be on each exam can be accessed in the link above.

• All tests will be given online on two different testing dates (TBD). Students will be allowed to choose which date they would like to take the exam. The dates of the exams and more information will come out in a future press release from the College Board on April 3rd.

• The College Board will release additional information and review materials for students to access via AP Classroom.

• The exams will be 45 minutes long and will be an open response in nature.

• The College Board has promised that Colleges and Universities will accept this new format of exam for this year.

As of March 20th, the College Board has stated that they will issue a full refund to students for exams not taken this year.

Chelmsford High School’s Refund Policy:

Due to the fluidity of the situation, Chelmsford High School will issue all refunds after both exam dates and the College Board's bill has been received and reviewed. Any student who has decided to not take an exam this year, please email either Ms. O'Neal or Mr. Vitale with their name and the exam that they were scheduled to take. Students will be placed on a refund list, and a refund will be issued once everything is finalized with the College Board.

Mrs. O'Neal: onealm@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Mr. Vitale: vitalec@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

We know that this year’s exams have come with an added level of difficulty, but your teachers and your administrators are here to assist you in every way possible. Look out for more information on April 3rd from the College Board (this will be directly on their website). Please feel free to reach out to your teachers about specific subject matter questions. Should you have any test administration questions please email Ms. O’Neal or Mr. Vitale.

High school students who are currently in year-long or semester 2 only courses, will continue their work under the teacher's direction using Google Classroom. Since CHS students are in concurrent enrollment status (they are fulfilling both HS and college requirements simultaneously), and our teachers have approved syllabi, completion of dual enrollment courses will not be disrupted during the switch to remote learning. Students should expect to hear from their teachers as to the next steps to complete their current classes that will be submitted for grades at MCC.

The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners who PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential.

Email: information@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Location: 230 North Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 251-5100
Facebook: facebook.com/chelmsfordpublicschools
Twitter: @ChelmsfordPS