Dear Gilbert Stuart Families,
First and foremost, I trust that you are all safe and taking appropriate precautions to remain so. I know that you are experiencing events in real time that are overwhelming. Rest assured that we have been doing all we can to support you and your students. We deployed almost 700 Chromebooks to students on March 13, 2020, and we have deployed more than 200 since then. In total, we have deployed over 850 devices to students. However, we have approximately 950 students presently enrolled. If you have a device at home for your students to use during this time, you do not need to come to the school and sign one out. However, if you have not been able to secure a Chromebook from the school, and if you do not have one at home, please stop at the school on Monday, March 23, 2020, between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, to sign one out.
If you are a family with students with disabilities and/or multilingual learners, your students will continue to receive services. Additionally, the District is working on a plan to ensure that families who don’t have access to WIFI are granted access so that students can complete assignments. We will continue to communicate to you using our Kinvo messaging service so that you are provided up to date information. You may also continue to email me directly (Nkoli.onye@ppsd.org) or send text messages to my personal cell phone number (401. 996.1602) at any time including weekends. I will get back to you.
GILBERT STUART (GS) DISTANCE LEARNING PLAN
All teachers have been asked to create a Google Classroom for every class. Google Classroom helps students and teachers to communicate more efficiently. The teacher either enters the email addresses of the students just once, or invites the student to join the class, or sends a code to the student so that she or he can join the class, and classroom communication begins Just by entering the classroom, the student becomes part of an email group and a discussion group. Teachers will post work for students and they will be able to communicate with students to help facilitate and assess their learning. Student work will be graded when appropriate. Parents and guardians will be able to see what their students are doing and communicate with teachers as well. Many students are familiar with Google Classroom. However, for some, this will be their first experience. Teachers will either send a text message to the family with a code that the student will enter once they go to Google Classroom, or students will be invited to join the class via email.
While they are working from home, Gilbert Stuart students will follow the schedule below.
1. First class begins at 8:00 AM.
2. Lunch time for all students and teachers is from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. All students are ready to begin their period 5 class at 1:00 PM.
3. Class time ends at 3:00 PM daily.
4. Personal Learning Time -Students can get extra help from teachers for any class, and teachers can meet with support staff to provide extra support for students.
Remember, teachers will be communicating with you and your students via Google Classroom and Kinvo. You will be able to communicate with them in the same manner. Additionally, you may access me directly, at the number and/or email listed above. As we begin this journey, we understand that it will not be perfect. We will work together and make adjustments, as needed, based on feedback we receive from you and your students.
Best,
Nkolika E. Onye
Nkolika Etell Onye, DC
Executive Director of Student Support
On special assignment serving as:
Principal, Gilbert Stuart Middle School
(Text) 401.996.1602
(Twitter) @OnyeNkoli
(Office) 401.456.9340
