Student Remote Learning Opportunities
On behalf of the entire leadership team, we would like to thank all of you for your understanding and cooperation over the past days as we manage and respond to the dynamic Coronavirus situation. We will continue to keep you apprised as we receive information, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate this shift in our learning process. Please check your email regularly as this is our primary source of communication.
In light of Governor Baker’s press conference on Sunday evening, March 15th, the school will be closed through Tuesday, April 7th, 2020. While new information is coming in daily, we are not aware of any changes to April vacation at this time.
We strongly recommend that you follow Governor Baker’s guidance around social distancing, but if you must enter the building please contact your supervisor via email to make arrangements. We need to coordinate this because we will be going into a deep-cleaning schedule, and some areas of the building will be closed during certain times.
This is a remote or online learning plan for all Whittier Tech students, starting this Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
A version of this with active links to student website resources was emailed to students and parents - this version has those links omitted.
Students need to know that their teachers are expected to be accessible online to students every school day. Teachers will post all instructions, assignments, and learning materials to their preferred teacher website or Google Classroom. Teachers will answer any email within 24 hours. If students have questions, they need to email their teacher through school email.
Teachers are expected to check in with our students regularly. The purpose of these check-ins is solely to monitor engagement and to assist our families in having access to enrichment.
Whittier Tech Administration is also available through email and is willing to assist all our staff through this time.
IT Support
The IT Dept. will be available via the ticket system and email for those having issues. While we cannot solve every problem remotely or immediately, they will do our best to support you through a variety of remote means.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Students may log in through their iPad or other device beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, according to their Week 1 and Week 2 schedule, and go to their teachers’ preferred website (Google Classroom page, Showbie, teacher websites) for their different classes. Students are encouraged to work for approximately 30 minutes per day on the following areas on their academic week in:
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Physical Education
Elective
During the student’s vocational-technical week, students are encouraged to work for approximately one to two hours with assignments provided by their vocational-technical teachers. In addition to the shop specific assignments IXL lessons should be assigned daily.
March 18-24, 2020 will be Week 1
March 25-31 will be Week 2
April 1-7 will be Week 1.
Students are encouraged to check their email daily for communication from staff.
STUDENT LEARNING
Teachers will be sharing their learning opportunities for students to do online. While our students already know how to log in to their teacher’s preferred site (Google Classroom page, Showbie, teacher websites, and check for assignments. Teachers will encourage students to post through either Google Classroom or some other site, and they will provide clear directions to do so.
STUDENT SPORTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
All student activities and athletics are on hold. This includes captains’ practices, tryouts, conditioning, and team practices.
STUDENT SUPPORT
During this Remote Learning Opportunity Program, Special Education Staff will be working with general education teachers to support learning in a variety of ways. They will be available to students for questions, clarification, problem-solving, and discussions via email or google hangouts. Special Education Staff will be working to modify, scaffold, provide supplemental tools, and differentiate activities for students so they are able to access learning. Counselors will be available to students to communicate in google chats or via email; they will also check in regularly. These practices will assist with re-entry to school, continued connectedness to learning, and maintain continuity of learning so our students have the opportunity to experience education. Nurses will be available via email for questions and will post health updates to the school website.
We really appreciate your spirit of cooperation, and we will get through this. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us should you have any questions or concerns. We are here for you !!!
Chris Laganas
Principal
978-373-4101 x 216