MCHS Virtual Learning Plan – November 16-24, 2020

Hello Parents, Students, & Staff Members,

We have quite a few things to update you on in November, and this is especially true given that we are moving to virtual learning from Monday, November 16 to Tuesday, November 24, 2020.  Here are some things you need to know.

1. Monday, November 16, 2020 will be a regular Virtual Learning Day.  Students will work on assignments posted in Schoology as they have in the past.  Please be aware that a few teachers may use Google Meet for portions of some lessons, so students should check for messages or Course Updates throughout the day.
2. Beginning on Tuesday, November 17th thru Tuesday, November 24th, MCHS will implement a new virtual learning plan that will be used during extended virtual learning times throughout this school year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our goal is to provide a better educational experience for our students where there is student-teacher communication daily, direct instruction provided, and support for students who have questions or who are struggling.  While we did our best back in April & May providing instruction through Schoology, we know that we can do better.  Attached to this email is a document entitled “COVID-19 Virtual Plan” that provides information on what students and staff need to do during virtual instruction beginning on Tuesday.  Here is the basic information you need to know:
   1. Non-internet students will be required to attend school in-person each day in order to have access to the internet.  We surveyed the students earlier this year to determine who had internet access either at home, through a hotspot, or through another source.  We had 19 students indicate that they had no access at all to the internet.  We will be contacting those students on Monday to set up bus transportation to begin on Tuesday.  Breakfast and lunch will be available to those students.  These students will work out of the library and/or cafeteria while at school and do the same as students at home (see letter b below).  In order to make sure that our list is correct, I am asking you to email me at davidr@monroecentral.org or call the MCHS office on Monday morning at 765-468-7545 if your child does not have any access to the internet.
   2. Students will be required to enter a Google Meet at the beginning of each class period at 8:05 a.m. (Period 1 on Brown Days), 9:35 a.m. (Period 3 on Brown Days, Period 2 on Gold Days), 11:40 a.m. (Period 5 on Brown Days, Period 6 on Gold Days), & 1:10 p.m. (Period 7 on Brown Days, Period 8 on Gold Days) – Please see the more detailed schedule and instructions on how to enter the Google Meet on the attached document entitled “COVID-19 Virtual Plan”.  Teachers will take class attendance through the Google Meet.  If your child does not get on the Google Meet, they will be marked absent for that class period.  If they have any issues getting on a particular Google Meet, they need to message their teacher through Schoology or contact our office.  Teachers will give instructions through the Google Meet, provide any direct instruction needed, and then will allow them to sign off the Google Meet and work on assignments posted in Schoology.  We will continue on our block schedule.  Tomorrow (Monday, November 16th) is a Brown Day.  I have attached a calendar that has the brown & gold days marked to help everyone keep it all straight.
   3. The only exception to this plan is Mrs. Wines’ classroom.  Mrs. Wines will contact her students and families on Monday to talk about the plan for her class.
3. Although we are virtual learning, the high school building will be open each weekday from 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. if students need to get anything out of any classrooms or lockers.  Extracurricular activities can resume as normal after school hours.  This might not always be the case during virtual learning times, but because this virtual learning is due primarily to a staffing issue, we are allowing them to continue during this time.  The same COVID-19 precautions remain in place.
4. MACC / Winchester Community High School’s CTE Programs – These programs are remaining in person.  If you are a student in one of these programs, you are expected to attend those classes in-person as normal if not under quarantine protocol.  There will continue to be a bus for MACC students as normal.
5. Midterm Progress Reports – We reached the midterm of quarter 2 this past Friday.  We will be emailing parents progress reports early this week.
6. Jostens Order for Freshmen & Seniors – Jostens was supposed to be here on Wednesday during the lunch hour to take orders.  This will no longer be the case.  You can still order online or through the mail.  I’ll send out another message to freshman and senior families if anything changes or Jostens has more information regarding orders.  I’m sorry for the inconvenience.
7. Virtual Only Students – You should be 75% complete in all of your Edmentum classes at this point.  If you aren’t, please work to catch up.  Please continue to fill out the Virtual Option Attendance Form every school day.
8. Mr. Moulton will post more information early this week on plans for meal distribution during this virtual learning time period.  

The most important thing I can stress during this virtual learning period is to contact us if you have any questions or need any help.  Students can send messages to their teachers through Schoology, email us, or call the school at 765-468-7545.  Our staff is working and here to support you the best that we can while learning from home.  We hope everyone stays safe and healthy and has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  We plan to return to in-person learning on Monday, November 30, 2020.

Thank you,

David Retherford, Principal