Week 13 of Remote Learning Family Letter June 15 – June 19, 2020

Dear TAOTS Families,

It’s hard to believe that we have only two weeks of remote learning school left.  Next week begins our 13th Week in remote learning.  As we reflect and move forward we begin planning and preparing for the fall.  I encourage you to keep yourselves informed and up to date by listening to your local news and following the directives of our Chancellor, Mayor, and Governor. School reopening procedures will continue to unfold throughout the summer months. 

CONGRATULATIONS! to our 5th Grade Graduating Class of 2020 and to our Kindergarteners on their Stepping Up.  A beautiful Graduation Banner has been put up at TAOTS on our yard fence commemorating this great milestone in their lives.

This week we are proud to announce the students who maintained 100% Attendance from September to March. They will receive their 100% Attendance Certificate via email on Monday, June 15, 2020. Congratulations to our parents and students for obtaining 100% attendance!

Our team here at TAOTS have been planning & preparing for the following events

  • Monday, June 15, 2020 – 100% Attendance Certificates (emailed home)
  • Wednesday, June 17, 2020 :Tribes Classroom Activity: Wear Red today to show you have a good heart.
  • Wednesday, June 17, 2020 – 6 pm Incoming Virtual Kindergarten Orientation : Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98937533986 Meeting ID: 989 3753 3986 Password: taots2020
  • Friday, June 19, 2020: Wear Purple to show your support for this year’s Relay For Life. (refer to links above)
  • Tuesday, June 23, 2020 – 10am Kindergarten Virtual Stepping Up & Award Ceremony
  • Wednesday, June 24, 2020 – 10am 5th Grade Virtual Graduation & Award Ceremony
  • Thursday, June 25, 2020 – Classroom Awards Grades 1-4 (unless otherwise specified by classroom teachers)
  • Friday, June 26, 2020 – Last Day of School
  • Week of June 29, 2020 – Report Cards posted virtually on your NYCSA 

Updates & Reminders:

From Parent Coordinator,  Ms. Appelbaum & Community Coordinator, Mr. DeFeo (pandc@taots.org)

UPDATES & Important Resources:

  • Register for your NYCSA – NYC Schools Account :  REPORT CARDS WILL BE POSTED ON YOUR NYCSA.  Please reach out to Ms. Melissa Appelbaum to register or reset your NYCSA.  NYCSA allows parents and guardians to access their child’s past and present, grades, assessments, and attendance.  
  • Please Complete Your Census :  https://www1.nyc.gov/site/census/resources/resources.page The Census is Important – A complete count, ensures our city gets its fair share of $650 billion in federal funding for Title I programs, Head Start, special education, bilingual education, classroom technology, teacher training, preschool and after-school programs, and school lunch assistance services. A full census count also ensures our communities receive enough elected officials to represent and protect our interests. The census needs to count people of all ages, including visitors, foster children, and people not born in the US. No matter what your household looks like, please make sure to count everybody.
  • Library Resources:   This resource is available seven days a week, from 2:00–11:00 p.m., and provides support to all grade levels in the following areas:
  • Homework Help: Interact with live tutors in math, science, reading/writing, social studies, PSAT/SAT, ACT, AP and state standardized tests.
  • Skills-Building: Choose your topic to receive real-time help.
  • Personalized eLearning Tools: My File Sharing, My Session Replay, My Tutoring Archive, My Tests Archive, and more.
  • 24-Hour Writing Lab: Submit essays and other kinds of writing for constructive feedback.
  • Homework Questions: Submit homework questions for expert guidance.
  • Adult Learning Center: Access a library of rich, adult-learning content (GED), and live, professional assistance in resume/cover letter writing, U.S. citizenship prep, MS Office Essential Skills series, and more.
  • To access Brainfuse, New York State residents must sign up for a free library card in one of the three library systems. See below for information about how school communities in all five boroughs can obtain library cards at any of the three public library systems: Brooklyn Public Library: To obtain a Brooklyn Public Library eCard, fill out this form. Families and students may access Brainfuse using their Brooklyn Public Library eCard.  For questions, please contact Brooklyn Public Library
  • Dial a Teacher Available for Grades K-5  The UFT has re-opened its Dial-A-Teacher program, a homework help line for students, run by classroom teachers. This resource is available from 4:00–7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, for students in grades K–5. Due to limitations caused by school building closures, the help line is currently only available for ELA and math homework from teachers speaking English. The UFT is hoping to expand to other subjects, grades, and languages soon. Please share this optional resource with your school community.

REMINDERS:

  • Recess at Home with Playworks. You can log on from Monday to Friday at; 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM to join in a Live Virtual Recess. Students will get to play and learn games in a virtual environment with a Live Playworks Coach. Click on the link for more information. Live Virtual Recess.

 Remote Learning Student & Family Expectations:

We expect students to participate and interact daily with the teaching and learning that is taking place in our Google Classrooms. Please review with your child the student and family expectations for remote learning.

  • Instruction begins daily at 8:50 am by logging into Google Classrooms for all students
  • Students follow their regular school day schedule with shorter periods
  • Student Attendance will be taken daily using the Daily Digital Feelings Check-In Form 
  • Specialty Classes are part of your child’s weekly schedule and mandate 
  • Students are expected to follow teacher directions and display appropriate behavior
  • Your child is required to participate in the instruction that the teacher is providing for each subject area and specialty class
  • Communicate, communicate, communicate and keep in touch with your child’s teachers including specialty teacher teams about any questions/issues you may have
TimeWeek 13  Daily  Remote Learning Student Schedule
8:50- 9:00Students log on to Google Classroom for classroom instructions
9:00-12:20
Remote Learning Daily Instruction Students will participate in lessons and activities prepared by the teachers following their regular daily schedule:
During prep periods, students will be directed to join the specialty class of the day. 
Period 1: 9:00-9:25
Period 2: 9:25-9:50
Period 3: 9:50-10:15
Period 4: 10:15-10:40 (All students in K-2 Break Time) Wed. Tribes Day
Period 5: 10:40-11:05 (All students 3-5 Break Time)
NOTE: Wednesday is Tribes Day during period 4 & 5
Period 6: 11:05- 11:30
Period 7: 11:30-11:55
Period 8: 11:55- 12:20
12:20 -1:00

Student Lunch Time 
1:00-2:50




Student:  Daily Independent Work Time. Students will complete the following: 1. Independent Reading & task of the day2. Writing- task of the day3. Math- task of the day4. Specialty- 1 specialty task per day as per the daily flow of the day
2:00-2:50Parent/Student Communication Time for parents & teachers to communicate. 

Updated Grading Policy for Remote Learning

Third Marking Period
Third marking period will use the same grading scale as used in the previous marking periods. TAOTS will be using second marking period grades as a baseline for the third marking period. Teachers will continue to assess students and use this data to maintain the grade that students received in marking period two. Teachers will support students that are struggling and are not quite maintaining the level of work they have been producing throughout the school year.

If students have proven to excel in remote learning (e.g. – an increase in remote learning participation, increase in volume and quality of assignments that are handed in and engagement in class/small group discussion) students have the opportunity to improve their grade. Data will be collected and the grade will be justified.

As students participate in remote learning, teachers must grade their work and keep their gradebooks up to date, in alignment with expectations set by the principal. In alignment with existing systems, teachers must document students’ areas for improvement in gradebooks, report cards, and/or other platforms for recording student progress, so that this information is accessible in planning for summer and fall.

Final Marking Period
TAOTS will be following the NYCDOE grading policy. DOE Grading Policy

Schools must award final grades of meets standards (MT) and needs improvement (N) only. Schools define how MT and N relate to their prior grading scales and practices. N must be used in cases where there is insufficient information to determine whether a student has met standards. For students who receive final grades of N, teachers must document students’ areas for improvement in gradebooks, report cards, and other existing platforms for recording student progress, so that this information is accessible for further planning. The DOE provides standards-aligned report card comments in STARS which may be used for this purpose.

Recognizing and Noting High Performance
Students that have been excelling throughout the school year including remote learning will be recognized through the comment section of the final marking period.

(Student name) has exceeded grade level performance in the area of __________. She/He has continued to demonstrate mastery of the standards through assignments, tasks and discussions with teachers.
(Student name) has seamlessly transitioned to remote learning and in the midst of adversary and has proven to excel in his/her learning.

Updated for Remote Learning May 2020

Week 12 of Remote Learning Family Letter June 8 – June 12

Kindly read this letter in its entirety since it contains important updates as well as helpful reminders. 

“A change is gonna come….yes it will…” -Lyrics by  Sam Cooke-1963

Friday, June 5, 2020

Dear TAOTS Families,

The weeks are rapidly passing us by as we continue to face and deal with turbulent times. At this point we conclude Week 11 of remote learning and move into Week 12, and we continue to reflect on our own values and beliefs about the people and world around us.  As we move forward, we promise  our students that we will continue to follow our Tribes Agreements and together create a peaceful society that is anti-racist and that is respectful of one another.  We know that the current acts of violence and destruction are causing communities of innocent people and their loved ones to suffer.  As a result, people’s fears and wounds are only deepening. However, I assure you that we will remain united, always doing what is best for our students, families and our community at large.  Our team here at TAOTS can’t thank you enough for your continued support and collaboration as we get through these difficult times. I am hopeful for brighter days and believing that “…change is gonna come…yes it will.”

There will be SCHOOL FOR  STUDENTS  on Tuesday, June 9th.  Students Are Expected To Log In On and complete independent assignments  Tuesday, June 9, 2020.  

Below you will find our school’s June events, an updated remote leaning grading policy and additional important school information and updates.

JUNE EVENTS:

Our team here at TAOTS have been planning & preparing for the following events :

  • Tuesday, June 9, 2020 –  Teacher/Staff Clerical Day- (students in attendance & work on independent teacher assigned work)
  • Monday, June 15, 2020 – 100% Attendance Certificates (emailed home)
  • Wednesday, June 17, 2020 – 5pm Incoming Intensive Kindergarten Orientation 

& 6pm Incoming Kindergarten Orientation

  • Tuesday, June 23, 2020 – 10am Kindergarten Virtual Stepping Up Ceremony
  • Wednesday, June 24, 2020 – 10am 5th Grade Virtual Graduation Ceremony
  • Friday, June 26, 2020 – Last Day of School
  • Week of June 29, 2020 – Report Cards posted virtually on your NYCSA

 Updates & Reminders:

From Parent Coordinator,  Ms. Appelbaum & Community Coordinator, Mr. DeFeo pandc@taots.org

UPDATES & Important Resources:

  • Register for your NYCSA – NYC Schools Account :  REPORT CARDS WILL BE POSTED ON YOUR NYCSA.  Please reach out to Ms. Melissa Appelbaum to register or reset your NYCSA.  NYCSA allows parents and guardians to access their child’s past and present, grades , assessments, and attendance.
  • Please Complete Your Census :  https://www1.nyc.gov/site/census/resources/resources.page The Census is Important – A complete count, ensures our city gets its fair share of $650 billion in federal funding for Title I programs, Head Start, special education, bilingual education, classroom technology, teacher training, preschool and after-school programs, and school lunch assistance services. A full census count also ensures our communities receive enough elected officials to represent and protect our interests. The census needs to count people of all ages, including visitors, foster children, and people not born in the US. No matter what your household looks like, please make sure to count everybody.
  • Library Resources:   This resource is available seven days a week, from 2:00–11:00 p.m., and provides support to all grade levels in the following areas:
  • Homework Help: Interact with live tutors in math, science, reading/writing, social studies, PSAT/SAT, ACT, AP and state standardized tests.
  • Skills-Building: Choose your topic to receive real-time help.
  • Personalized eLearning Tools: My File Sharing, My Session Replay, My Tutoring Archive, My Tests Archive, and more.
  • 24-Hour Writing Lab: Submit essays and other kinds of writing for constructive feedback.
  • Homework Questions: Submit homework questions for expert guidance.
  • Adult Learning Center: Access a library of rich, adult-learning content (GED), and live, professional assistance in resume/cover letter writing, U.S. citizenship prep, MS Office Essential Skills series, and more.
  • To access Brainfuse, New York State residents must sign up for a free library card in one of the three library systems. See below for information about how school communities in all five boroughs can obtain library cards at any of the three public library systems: Brooklyn Public Library: To obtain a Brooklyn Public Library eCard, fill out this form. Families and students may access Brainfuse using their Brooklyn Public Library eCard.  For questions, please contact Brooklyn Public Library.
  • Dial a Teacher Available for Grades K-5  The UFT has re-opened its Dial-A-Teacher program, a homework help line for students, run by classroom teachers. This resource is available from 4:00–7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, for students in grades K–5. Due to limitations caused by school building closures, the help line is currently only available for ELA and math homework from teachers speaking English. The UFT is hoping to expand to other subjects, grades, and languages soon. Please share this optional resource with your school community.

REMINDERS:

  • Wednesday, June 10th, Tribes Classroom Activity: Wear Purple today to show your a good citizen.
  • Are you having trouble coping due to COVID-19? Trained counselors can provide you with support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 200 languages.
    CALL: 1-888-692-9355

TEXT: “Well” to 65173

VISIT ON THE WEB: nyc.gov/nycwell 

  • For more resources and information regarding family support such as: Health Care Providers for COVID – 19 Testing – Anyone who does not have a health care provider can call 844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692) or 311 to discuss COVID-19 symptoms and receive medical advice and assistance, For and updated list of community testing sites and more info: http://www.nyc.gov/covidtestingsites 
  • Check the TAOTS website www.taots.org regularly for updates and all TAOTS information in All Languages!
  • Recess at Home with Playworks. You can log on from Monday to Friday at; 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM to join in a Live Virtual Recess. Students will get to play and learn games in a virtual environment with a Live Playworks Coach. Click on the link for more information. Live Virtual Recess.

  Remote Learning Student & Family Expectations:

We expect students to participate and interact daily with the teaching and learning that is taking place in our Google Classrooms. Please review with your child the student and family expectations for remote learning.

  • Instruction begins daily at 8:50 am by logging into Google Classrooms for all students
  • Students follow their regular school day schedule with shorter periods
  • Student Attendance will be taken daily using the Daily Digital Feelings Check-In Form 
  • Specialty Classes are part of your child’s weekly schedule and mandate 
  • Students are expected to follow teacher directions and display appropriate behavior
  • Your child is required to participate in the instruction that the teacher is providing for each subject area and specialty class
  • Communicate, communicate, communicate and keep in touch with your child’s teachers including specialty teacher teams about any questions/issues you may have