Francis Scott Key Middle School - Parent Back to School Information Meetings August 17 and 18 , 2020

Parent Back to School Information Meeting Schedule

Monday, August 17, 2020 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 6:30 - 7:30 pm

*Presentation Procedures- Please mute microphones to reduce background noise- Type questions in chat box (addressed at end of presentation and/or in a FAQ)- Presentation will be shared with families by end of week (School webpage)

Welcome Francis Scott Key MS ParentsPrincipal: Mr. Coleman, Norman_L_Coleman@mcpsmd.org

Assistant PrincipalsMs. Shabazz, Grade 6, Laura_L_Shabazz@mcpsmd.org Ms. Robertson, Grade 7, Dacia_F_Robertson@mcpsmd.org Dr. Prillman, Grade 8, Lorenzo_R_Prillman@mcpsmd.org

CounselorsMs. O., Grade 6, Sophia_E_Olowokakoko@mcpsmd.org Ms. Murphy, Grade 7, Hilary_E_Murphy@mcpsmd.org Ms. Lyons, Grade 8, Nadine_A_Lyons@mcpsmd.org Ms. McCoy-Snead, Resource, Starr_J_McCoy-Snead@mcpsmd.org

Instructional School SupportsMs. Hester, MYP Coordinator, Beth_Hester@mcpsmd.org Ms. Webster, Staff Development, Helen_J_Webster@mcpsmd.org

Stay Safe and Be Well

Draft Recovery of Education Guide“Reimagine, Reopen, Recover” provides important information about MCPS plans for the opening schools on Monday, August 31, 2020 - Friday, January 29, 2021.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/reopening/MCPSDraftRecoveryPlan-updated.pdf

from page 6 Reimagine, Reopen, Recover MCPS Fall 2020: Draft Recovery of Education Guide

from page 7 - Reimagine, Reopen, Recover MCPS Fall 2020: Draft Recovery of Education Guide

Our Plan for Virtual-Only InstructionSummary

What to Expect - Middle School

What to Expect - Special Education

What to Expect - ESOL Services

Middle SchoolVirtual

LearningSchedule

(BOE Draft)*Anticipated finalized schedule

release date is Wednesday, August 26th. BOE vote on

Tuesday, August 25th.

Sample Instructional

Learning Experience*MCPS expects to release

students’ schedules on Wednesday, August 26th

through MyMCPS Classroom.

MCPS Community Virtual Schedule Updates - Sunday, August 16th ● At the secondary level, a schedule adjustment on Wednesdays from

20-minute class periods to virtual check-in times. This will allow for more individualized student support.

● An extension of lunch in the secondary schedule from 60 minutes to 75 minutes to allow additional time for students to get to the meal sites.

● Additional planning time for teachers at the secondary level to increase preparation for virtual instruction.

● A shift to choice schedules between even/odd and sequential for middle schools.

*Final approval will be made at the Wednesday, August 25th Board of Education Meeting (Watch Live on MCPS Webpage.

MCPS will use a more standardized and traditional grading system for the fall semester. While we anticipate that we will have to revise our grading system in certain areas, we want to ensure that we have a framework in place that reflects our students’ work, their learning and their progress.

Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are enrolled. The Maryland State Department of Education has issued an expectation to school districts that daily attendance will be recorded.

A student will be marked present for a class in one of three ways:

● Student attends a live virtual learning class via Zoom● Student completes an Attendance Check-in on myMCPS Classroom during a live or recorded class● Student engages in an online discussion thread on myMCPS Classroom during a live or recorded class

All attendance will be recorded in the new student information system and will be visible to parents through the parent portal. In addition, ConnectEd calls and other parent outreach will occur regularly to inform parents if their child has not attended.

Parents/guardians must submit a note, phone call, or email to the attendance secretary if a student will be absent for a full or partial school day. All absences for which no documentation is received will be listed as unexcused.

In order to monitor student engagement, MCPS designed and implemented a comprehensive student engagement monitoring program that includes multiple data sources and mobilizes staff and resources across the district in order to meet individual student and family needs. This fall, we will continue to analyze and track individual student engagement at the school and central office level, create agile outreach and case management action plans to address student needs, and analyze the quality of student engagement in addition to quantifying student engagement.

Francis Scott Key Middle School

Virtual Classroom Expectations

Adapted from “Online Classroom Rules,” Paint Branch High School

Supports for Students, Families, and Staff

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2009

Francis Scott Key Middle School The Middle Years Programme

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2009

What is MYP?+ The Middle Years Programme is a school-wide program

+ Built upon our mission and core values

+ Providing rigorous instruction that engages students in

+ Critical thinking

+ Fostering collaboration

+ Connecting learning to real world experiences

20

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2009

International Baccalaureate (IB) Aims ▪ The program encourages:▪ International Mindedness▪ Critical and creative thinking▪ Positive attitudes toward learning▪ Connections to real life and subject matter▪ Development of communication skills, including oral and written

communication▪ Development of the whole student through the learner

profile–physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally▪ Community and Service and Social Justice

Page 21

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2009

MYP Philosophy

Page 22

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2009

KEY CORE VALUES

Character Community Scholarship

Service

23

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2009

The Learner Profile

Page 24

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2009

Thinking Skills Self-management Skills Social Skills Communication Skills Research Skills

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2009

MYP Overview▪ Provides a framework for curriculum

▪ Encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between subjects and the real world

▪ Encourages students to be critical and reflective thinkers

• Incorporates inquiry-based learning

Provide a Schedule to Help Manage Time

Guidelines for Parent and Caregivers

Guidelines for Parent and Caregivers

Guidelines for Parent and Caregivers

Guidelines for Parent and Caregivers

Guidelines for Parent and Caregivers

Guidelines for Parent and Caregivers

Guidelines for Parent and Caregivers

Guidelines for Parent and Caregivers

Communication● Email is the best way to contact school staff. ● Staff email contact information is available on the Francis Scott Key

Middle School website on the Staff Directory Page as well as on the MyMCPS Classroom on the Key MS course page.

● Parents and students can also send messages to teachers through MyMCPS Classroom and Synergy. Parentinformation sent out by Friday, Aug. 21st.

● Listen to and/or read Sunday and weekly community messages for important updates and information. (Phone and/or email)

Key MS Partnerships: One Community

“If you want to create a successful learning environment for children, then strong partnerships between school staff, parents/families, and students is essential.”● Respect (Treat each other in an honorable manner)● Build Trust (Share common interests and accept/embrace differences)● Communicate (Open and honest dialogue)● Ownership and Accountability (Responsibility)● Identify the Best Ways to Support Each Other (Challenges and Solutions)● Network - Information Sharing/Support (Important ideas and topics)● Access to Resources

*Partnerships focus on building bridges (access), not walls (barriers).

Encourage Students to Check Their EmailTeachers send messages to students through email, MyMCPS Classroom, and Synergy about upcoming assignments and important notifications.

Students should check their MCPS email and message accounts at least twice a day to check for important messages from teachers.

Students’ email addresses and passwords will remain the same for this year. MCPS will provide new students with an email and password.

Classroom Learning PlatformsAll lesson materials are posted on MyMCPS Classroom.

Contact teachers directly if students need support locating the class materials or finding the class codes.

Parent Access of Instructional Learning Platforms

MyMCPS Classroom● Through the Parent Portal● Register for access through the

Parent Portal log-in site.● Contact your child’s guidance

counselor for the access ID codes necessary to register.

● Through the Parent Portal you can view assignments and grades.

● Parent Portal Guide

MyMCPS Portal - Parent User’s Guide

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/wheatonwoodses/resources/Getting%20Started%20%20Parent%20Portal%20myMCPS%20Classroom%20(1).pdf

Parent Portal Overviewhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0cT8F89YXu1MHVMY1NZdWJfZTA/view

Synergy - ParentVue PortalMCPS will use a new student information system (SIS) called Synergy. Synergy engages parents in using an online ParentVUE portal to view student and classroom information, update emergency contacts, register or apply for school athletics and special programs, and stay connected with teachers and activities happening in schools and classrooms.

● Student Information Management • View child’s classroom information, such as attendance, schedule, current course grades, and report card grades. View child’s special education documents, discipline incidents, SSL hours, and graduation requirements met/needed. • View/pay child’s fee and lunch account.

● Enrollment and Registration • Enroll child in an MCPS school. • Update forms. • Register child for athletic programs. • Submit course requests for next school year. • Apply for special programs, such as magnet schools.

● Home to School Connections • Communicate with teachers through e-mail. • View class calendars that show homework assignments and any related document resources. • View class websites, announcements, and newsletters

Accessing TechnologyMCPS wants to ensure all students have access to technology in preparation for a successful virtual learning experience.

General Questions:● Do you currently have access to a working MCPS chromebook? If so, you can

continue to use this device.● Do you have a MCPS chromebook that is not working properly or you are new to

MCPS? Key MS’s chromebook exchange/pick up process will be on Wednesday, August 26th - Friday, August 28th. Times will be published at a later time.

● What do you need to bring with you? The student’s name, I.D. number, and current equipment (if you are exchanging devices).

Student Instructional MaterialsStudent Instructional Materials Distribution Schedule (Round 1)

*Grade 6 Math and English materials will be distributed between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.*Grade 7 and 8 English materials have not arrived yet

● Grade 6 - Wednesday, August 19th● Grade 7 and 8 materials will be

distributed at a later date

School SuppliesGeneral supplies for each grade-level:

● Binders● Subject tabs - one for each subject● Notebooks - one for each subject● Folders - one for each subject● 3-ring lined paper● Pencils, colored pencils, and erasers● Highlighters● Sticky notes and index cards● Rulers● Scissors● Calculator (optional)● Headphones (optional)

Summer Math and English Enrichment AssignmentsStudent Expectations for Summer Enrichment

Assignments● Links to grade-level assignments can be

found on the school’s webpage● Assignments will be collected by

student’s English and Math teachers● Assignments are strongly encouraged to

be completed, but will not be counted towards a student’s first quarter grade (2020-2021 only)

● Students who complete packets will be entered into a school-wide raffles for a chance to win prizes and access to other school related events

Portable Communication DevicesGuidelines for Portable Communication Devices:

● Establish expectations and boundaries for usage (Family Contract)

● Know your child’s passwords and social network of friends (influencers)

● Help your child develop an understanding of the various platforms and types of communication (i.e. informal, formal, personal, recreational, etc.)

● Recognize the power of messages (print and pictures)

● Impact of messages on school community and its members

● Developments vs Distractions

Student Service Learning (SSL) HoursWHAT IS SSL? ■ Student Service Learning (SSL) is a teaching method that combines student learning with meaningful service to the community.

WHO IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM SERVICE LEARNING? ■ Any student in a Maryland public school earning a diploma must complete 75 hours of service, prior to graduation. ■ Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students may begin working on this requirement over the summer, after completing Grade 5. Hours are accrued throughout middle and high school.

*MCPS Forms 560-50 and 560-51

Upcoming Parent and Student Information MeetingsThese will be zoom meetings and you must use your child’s account to access them:

● Grade 6 - Monday, August 24th and Tuesday, August 25th (5 - 6 p.m.)● Grade 7 - Monday, August 24th and Tuesday, August 25th (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)● Grade 8 - Wednesday, August 26th and Thursday, August 27th (6:30 - 7:30

p.m.)

At these meetings, school staff will share specific details in reference to the needs of grade-level students and families.*Zoom meeting links/information will be sent out at a later time.

Back to School Information NightCurriculum Overview Meeting

● Thursday, September 3rd, 5 -6 p.m.

● Content Specialists present brief overviews of their departments and curriculums across all grade-levels

● Learn about individual content information sites

Individual Classroom Teacher Meetings

● Thursday, September 3rd, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

● Meet grade-level and content specific teachers

● Learn about curriculum expectations and student learning experiences

● Understand how best to communicate with and access teachers

Parent Questions and Feedback (Use chat feature)