Middle School Virtual Learning Plan

The South Park Middle School is committed to persevere and provide meaningful learning opportunities for all students during this challenging time.  As a result, we have been tasked to address these challenges by developing a plan that will allow for a continuity of education for your children.  These unexpected challenges have caused us to make the necessary transition from a traditional instructional environment to an online instructional environment.  The school district administration has developed an online education model for our students that will be implemented beginning on April 2, 2020 and continuing until it is safe for our students and staff to return to school.

Here at the middle school, we have been working diligently to ensure that this continuity of education plan is being implemented with fidelity.  Our goals for the education plan consist of:

  • Providing learning opportunities that will allow students to develop essential skills and acquire content knowledge while understanding the circumstances that they and their family may be experiencing at this time.  Our goal is to not create more stress on our students and families.
  • Providing support for our students and families as we transition into the online model.  Pertaining to academics, it is important to stress that we are starting with the basics, and we will enhance the rigor as our students acclimate to the virtual instruction.

Student Expectations for Virtual Instruction

Students will be expected to login daily by 10:00 am for attendance purposes and complete a virtual attendance form. If there are extenuating circumstances why this is not feasible, please contact the middle school office at 412-655-3111 extension 3001.

  • Google Classroom will be utilized for instruction along with any other resources that accompany the facilitation of instruction for a particular class.
  • Students should devote the appropriate amount of time per class as necessary to complete the assigned work for that day.  For example, a blocked class (math and ELA) will require more time than a typical single class.
  • All daily assignments will have an 11:59 pm deadline that day unless otherwise noted by the teacher of the course.  Completion of assignments will be documented daily by teachers, and students are to adhere to these expectations to receive full credit.  The grading of assignments and assessments will continue as normal, but may be subject to change in the future.
  • To view the April Rotation Calendar, click here.
  • Teacher availability is within the constraints of normal school hours.  These hours are scheduled from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Email will be the mode of communication. Please understand that there may be a delay in response from the teacher based on the number of inquiries.

Communication

Communication is highly encouraged between the home and school.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers, counselor or principals to inquire about any questions or concerns that you may have pertaining to the continuity of education.  Email will be the preferred means of communication, but phone calls are encouraged for more urgent matters.

Internet Access

There are resources to keep families connected during this closure.  Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. There are hotspots located throughout South Park Township. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.

Comcast also is offering new Internet Essentials customers two free months of internet service. Internet Essentials provides affordable internet at home for eligible households. For more information, call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376).

Verizon also offers Lifeline, internet service for families who qualify. For more information, call 1.800.VERIZON (1-800-837-4966).

Families without internet access are asked to call their child’s school office and leave a voicemail with their child’s name, grade, and homeroom teacher. A South Park administrator will reach out directly to those families.

Chromebook Technical Assistance

Students who need support with Chromebooks or accessing online resources, can submit a ticket through the "Chromebook Support" link under "Student Links" on each school website or they can complete a help desk ticket

The South Park Middle School is committed to working with students and families to address any needs or concerns that may arise during this difficult time.  It is important to be reminded that we are a strong and mighty family that will persevere and overcome any adversity.

If you have any questions about this plan, please email Mr. Monaghan ([email protected]) or Mrs. Como ([email protected]).

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