Dear Parents/Guardians, On behalf of the entire Factory Shoals - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dear Parents/Guardians, On behalf of the entire Factory Shoals Middle School faculty and staff, I would like to express

• ur well wishes to you and your family during this digital learning period. We are fortunate to

live in a strong and caring community. Together we will not only face our challenges, we will

• vercome them. During this unprecedented time, we want to make sure you remain

well-informed and that you understand our efforts to maintain a continuity of learning for students in a safe learning environment. Thank you “Knight” family for your support! “Spirit of Excellence” Raymond D. Leonard, Ed.D. Principal

Principal

• Dr. Raymond Leonard

770-651-5808 raymond.leonard@dcssga.org Assistant Principal

• Ms. Angela Holley

770-651-5813 angela.holley@dcssga.org Assistant Principal

• Mr. Rueben Pitts

770-651-5895 rueben.pitts@dcssga.org Media Specialist

• Ms. Jennifer Mathews

770-651-5815 jennifer.mathews@dcssga.org Counselor

• Ms. Chandra Peyton

770-651-5811 chandra.peyton@dcssga.org Counselor

• Ms. Keisha White

770-651-5814 keisha.white@dcssga.org Student Records

• Ms. Toni Johnson

770-651-5804 toni.johnson@dcssga.org

Factory Shoals Middle School (FSMS) Remote Learning is designed to give students an engaging online learning experience that includes clear expectations and outcomes for each

• week. These expectations will include online and offline learning activities. The work for the

week in each content area can be found in Google Classroom in a module overview. Tools in Google Classroom such as instructional videos, live and recorded sessions, online resources and chats on Google Meets will be used. Not all components of online learning will happen in the first few weeks, but build over time as teacher and student comfort increases. It is important that students understand their responsibility as learners to engage in their classrooms each day. In addition, they are responsible for the same regulations as listed in FSMS Code of Conduct. This includes appropriate online behavior within the Learning Platform.

• Create a dedicated work space for your student
• Ensure the student adheres to the digital learning schedule
• Monitor the student’s progress in the Google Classroom(s)
• Refrain from interacting with the teacher and student during live

instruction

• Encourage your student to ask questions
• Support the FSMS Code of Conduct
• Ensure proper attire
• Ask questions of the teacher during offi

fice hours or via email

After five unexcused absences:

• The School will make two attempts to contact the parent by phone/and or
• email. In addition, the Excessive Unexcused Absences letter #1 will be

mailed or emailed to inform the parents of the student’s unexcused absences. Upon the seventh unexcused absences:

• The School will ensure that the unexcused absences are verified.
• The School will send Excessive Unexcused Absences letter #2 via first class

mail or email to inform the parents of the student’s unexcused absences. A copy of the current Douglas County Attendance Policy will be sent with the letter as well.

• Engage with the classroom and use tools (like headphones) to focus on

instructional videos, etc.

• Communicate with your teacher and examine feedback
• Follow the FSMS Code of Conduct
• Demonstrate online learning etiquette
• Reach out to your teachers if you are overwhelmed
• Collaborate with peers using respectful language and behaviors
• Wear attire acceptable for school
• Support each other in this new way of learning

• Create a space and dedicated time for learning
• Break up the day to be their productive best
• Seek help when needed (teachers, counselors, assistant principals, and

principal)

• Create balance by taking opportunities to work offline and upload

tasks

• Sign into the classrooms daily- keep connected
• Use Google Calendar to organize classes
• Demonstrate learning with completion of assignments

https://fsms.dcssga.org/news/what_s_new/digital_learning_schedule

REASONS FOR A SCHEDULE CHANGE?

• Academic misplacement - student is placed in the wrong level of class (Advanced,

Co-Taught, Foreign Language, etc.) ○ Advanced and Foreign Language classes have requirements for enrollment ■ Foreign Language classes, for the full year, are for 7th and 8th grade students ○ Student wants to take Band, Chorus or All Year Art ■ All year Art is only eligible for 7th and 8th grade students

• Missing an academic class

○ Student is missing a core class such as English, Social Studies, Math or Science

SCHEDULES WILL NOT CHANGE FOR:

• Changing class periods/terms for the class
• Wanting a different teacher
• Wanting classes with friends

GOOGLE MEET: As we transition to digital learning, Google Meet will be Factory Shoals primary platform for direct instruction. Google Meet can be joined directly from a teacher’s Google Classroom. GOOGLE CLASSROOM: Google Classroom will be the platform where FSMS students manage their work and submit assignments. All class assignments and instruction will be in Google Classroom. GOOGLE CALENDAR: Please get comfortable with utilizing this tool. It is a great resource for students to use to remain organized. SYNCHRONOUS: Learning occurs when students engage in the learning process at the same time ASYNCHRONOUS: Learning occurs when students engage in the learning process at different times.

• Teachers will enter a minimum of one grade per week for students.
• Assessments will be administered in a digital platform (Illuminate). Each teacher will

provide guidance, to their students, on their course assessments.

• Students are expected to submit work to the appropriate teacher when it is due.

○ When absent, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher and ask for assignments missed. It is the student’s responsibility to turn in make-up work based on teacher expectation per the syllabus.

• Communication will be disseminated regarding student progress on assignments. Please

help us and make sure we have the correct contact information in our Parent Portal: ■ Email ■ Phone number ■ Mailing address

• Before the first day of school (August 17), please work

with your student and ensure they can access their teachers’ Google Classroom through Classlinks (www.portal.dcssga.org).

○

All passwords have been reset. Please use https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kj67IsEuST 2YkEpfCR6Lwbq_WxIp6riH/view?ts=5f2d9 530 for directions. Students will utilize school issued Classlink Portal account to login when accessing digital platforms for all school interactions (i.e. Google Meet, Classworks, STAR 360, etc.)

• Grades will be posted in Infinite Campus - minimum of one per week
• Parents must set up and sign into Parent Portal to view grades.

○

Click link for instructions

https://fsms.dcssga.org/parent_portal

The following steps are taking to resolve Digital Learning Inappropriate Behavior: 1. Student is sent a direct email reminding him or her of classroom rules and expectations for Digital Learning. 2. Student’s microphone is muted. 3. Student is removed from the class. 4. Grade Level Administrator is emailed and made aware of the issue. 5. Parent/Guardian is emailed and made aware of the student’s inappropriate behavior during digital learning. 6. Parent/Guardian will receive a follow up telephone to discuss the inappropriate behavior observed and actions taken. 7. Students are given an opportunity to complete assignment by due date. Students must log into google classroom, view the entire lesson, complete the assignment, and submit to be graded. 8. Three incidents during Digital Learning will result in a written referral to the Grade Level Administrator.

• ELA is a balanced literacy course in which students are challenged to

improve in the areas of reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, speaking and listening.

• This content area aligns with the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE).
• All FSMS ELA classes will require students to read independently for at

least 30 minutes and complete three activities from the FSMS Reading Response Choice Board.

• On Tuesdays and Thursdays, FSMS students will be required to complete

30 minutes of Language Arts at Classworks. Standards: English Language Arts Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) 6-8

• The Star 360 Reading assessment will be administered in September,

December, and March to see how our students are progressing toward mastery of the Georgia Standards of Excellence.

• It delivers the valid, reliable screening, progress monitoring, and student

growth data teachers need to make informed decisions about what the concepts that students are ready to learn, and it provides related instructional resources.

• Star 360 Reading results help to create Individualized Learning Plans for

students into the instructional program, Classworks.

• Plus, Star Reading fully integrates with Renaissance Accelerated Reader.

• Students receive a Lexile reader measure as

a score from a reading test (Georgia Milestones Assessment, Star 360 Reading).

• The Lexile measure describes the student’s

reading ability.

• Books and other texts also have a Lexile

measure associated with them, and this Lexile text measure describes the book's reading demand or difficulty.

• Knowing students’ Lexile measure can help

match readers with reading material that is at an appropriate level of difficulty, or suggest how well a reader will comprehend a text.

• The Write Score Assessment is a computer-based writing test that helps teachers

determine the areas where their students need additional help in order to provide differentiated instruction to optimize student growth.

• With data-driven classroom instruction, ELA teachers can effectively use classroom

time and resources to achieve their instructional goals. ➔ Write Score assessments are aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). ➔ Write Score assessments provide relevant data needed by teachers to tailor their instruction in order to address areas of weakness in their students’ writing. ➔ Write Score assessments provide a quick turnaround time for scoring papers and returning relevant data.

• The Beacon Assessment is a computer adaptive and formative interim assessment

system administered in ELA and mathematics in grades 3-8.

• Beacon measures progress throughout the school year, allowing educators to target

instruction and make informed decisions.

• It is mapped to the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE), adjusts difficulty to meet

students where they are, and minimizes testing time.

• Beacon is aligned with Georgia Milestones in multiple ways, including the standards

assessed, item types administered, delivery platform used, and tools and accommodations available.

• It will provide immediate and detailed results to inform instruction.

Step 1-Click on Students on the FSMS website Step 2- Click on Classlink

Step 3- enter student username and password.

*If you do not know the username and password click on the link below https://drive.google.com/file/d/1 Kj67IsEuST2YkEpfCR6Lwbq_WxIp6 riH/view?ts=5f2d9530

Classworks Go Math Google Classroom Infinite Campus Illuminate Education Renaissance WriteScore

Google Classroom

Every class on a student’s schedule will be located on the homepage of Google Classroom

Streaming Tab ❏ GoogleMeet link for the class meeting. ❏ Upcoming Assignments ❏ Announcement

Classworks Tab

Students will find all assignments and materials under the Classworks tab.

Classworks

Every student will have work assigned from their ELA teacher every Tuesday and Thursday.

• Textbook: Students will be given their textbook and workbook when

you come to pick up your child’s Chromebook on their designated day. The expectation is that students keep up with their book for the entire 2020-2021 school year. If lost, there is a $15 fee to replace it.

• Go Math Online: Students will be completing some daily assignments

using the GoMath online portal. This portal can be found on classlink.

• Homework: Students will have roughly 5-10 homework problems to complete

each day of digital learning. With us being virtual, daily homework assignments will be the best way for the teacher to determine the level of understanding per student.

• Assessments: All assessments will be given in illuminate. Illuminate is an
• nline testing platform that will be used for all tests & quizzes
• Calculator: Students in 6th & 7th grade are able to use a basic 4 function
• calculator. 8th grade students will need a scientific calculator.

Chandra Peyton, M.Ed

8th Grade, 7th Grade A-J

Keisha White, Ed.S, NCC, LAPC

6th Grade, 7th Grade K-Z

THE FSMS COUNSELING TEAM

Duties of Professional School Counselors

★ To support students through the developmental period by providing education, prevention and intervention. ★ To teach students knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for academic, college/ career, and social emotional development. ★ To provide a proactive program that engages students and includes leadership, advocacy and collaboration with administration, staff, community and family members. ★ To provide direct and indirect services to include individual and group counseling, individual student planning ( appraisal, advisement) and responsive services. ★ To enhance the learning process and to promote academic, career, and social emotional development. ★ To provide short term and goal focused counseling and to recognize and respond to student mental health needs and to assist students and families seeking resources. ( Professional School Counselors do not provide long term counseling or therapy)

Requesting to see the counselor during remote learning

Each grade level will have a link to a counselor request from via the grade level digital classrooms as well as the school website under the Counseling Department tab. They will be contacted via phone or google meets for consultation.

Full Armor Friday

Students will have the opportunity to meet with counselors for classroom instruction and social emotional learning. 9:00am-10:00am- 6th Grade 10:00am-11:00am- 7th Grade 11:00am-12:00pm- 8th Grade Students will receive access codes to grade level Counselor digital classrooms via grade level content teacher classrooms the first day if remote learning.

Grade Level 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade Self Contained

Week #1 Lesson Them Starting Middle School Welcome Back Counselor Introduction Welcome Back Counselor Introduction Welcome Back Counselor Introduction Week #2 Lesson Coping Skills Toolbox Coping Skills Toolbox Coping Skills Toolbox Coping Skills Toolbox Week #3 Lesson Social Media Awareness and Safety Social Media Awareness and Safety Social Media Awareness and Safety Self-Awareness Week #4 Lesson Values and Decision Making Strategies for Academic Success Strategies for Academic Success Respect yourself and Others

Full Armor Friday

Grade Level 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade Self Contained

Week #5 Lesson Relationships Values and Decision Making Conflict Resolution Effective Communication Week #6 Lesson Conflict Resolution Relationships Changing Personalities Self-Knowledge Week #7 Lesson Thoughts and Emotions Conflict Resolution Personal Strengths and Weaknesses Self- Advocacy Week #8 Lesson Resilience Embracing Challenges Advocating for yourself Interpersonal Skills Development Week #9 Lesson Goal Setting Goal Setting Planning Ahead Next Steps

Full Armor Friday