Callaghan Elementary School

April 1, 2020

A Message from Mr. Craft...

I hope this newsletter finds you all healthy and making the best of being sequestered at home during this time. 

You have received the second instructional packet for your child to complete over the next 8 weeks.  Unlike the first set, these packets have been created specifically by the Callaghan teachers.  The only content areas that are included this time are Reading, Writing and Math.  (Fourth and Fifth grade packets also include learning activities in  Virginia Studies.) Additionally there is no set schedule for specific days to complete exercises (like Day 1, Day 2, etc.) and allows you and your child to go at your own pace.  Some have included a pacing calendar to help with staying on the right track.  No date has yet been determined for returning these completed packets; however, a target date to keep in mind as you work through them would be May 20 which would have been the last day of school.  I will let you know a return date when it is determined.

As we continue to navigate these uncharted waters, beginning this week, teachers will no longer be making direct contact on a daily basis.  Instead, teachers will be initiating contact with you and/or your child at least once per week.  Please know that your child’s teacher will be available during regular school-day hours to answer questions or provide assistance on instructional activities. 

I would like to address concerns from some that question why the schools are providing learning packets for students to complete if they are not graded.  Students who complete their packets will not be done so in vain.  Teachers will assess the quality and accuracy of each student’s completed exercises to determine mastery of certain skills, learning outcomes and pick up points to begin the next school year with.  Alleghany County Public Schools is following the guidance from the Virginia Department of Education which advises against grading of assignments completed during school closure to determine final grades.  Virtual learning is being provided to our students because it's our duty as public educators.  We are trying to ensure, under difficult circumstances with limited resources, that the learning process continues despite these unprecedented circumstances.  Although schools have been closed by executive order from the Governor, students nor teachers are not on summer vacation yet, and 
we are going to continue to do the best we can to fulfill our #1 responsibility.   
 
We realize that the instructional activities being provided to our students at this time are no comparison to the face to face, day to day instruction that they would receive in school; however, we are doing our best, as are all Virginia public schools, to ensure that our students are provided with VA Standards-based activities that address their needs and maintain the continuity of learning in the absence of an in-school-situation. We also realize that  we haven’t reached perfection, but in all first-time events, we learn from what we do previously and improve our practices moving forward.  That's the best we can do.  

I cannot stress enough at how important this is for your child.  In order for the learning path to move forward, parents must take an active part.  We have provided the materials, several resources and a means by which to contact teachers for instructional assistance.  Our goal with nine weeks of virtual instruction  is to make sure that our students are in the most way possible, academically ready for the next grade level.   If these activities are just  ignored, your child may experience a delay in their preparedness and may struggle in some areas next school year.  Parent involvement need not be complicated or overwhelming.  Just start by setting up an area and a daily schedule that is solely for the purpose of “doing school” and stick to the schedule.  The best learning area would be an area of your home that would be minimally distracting (Not in front of the TV or device).  Stay close by to monitor your child while he/ she completes the activities.  Most, if not all exercises can be completed independently with little need of instructional intervention on the part of parents.   The key to this being a successful endeavor is consistency--establish a simple routine and stick to it.  

Again, teachers are available to assist you and your child.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to them as often as you need using your preferred method of  communication.  

I know some fifth grade students have been asking and wondering about all those great things that happen at the end of the year that fifth graders get to participate in like DARE graduation and the fifth grade promotion ceremony.  Because of the constantly evolving situation, it is too early to plan for or even schedule these events. 

 We will continue to monitor the situation and make a determination at a later date if these events will take place.  I know these are important rites-of-passage in the lives of our departing fifth grade students, and I’ll make every effort if at all feasible to do something to recognize these accomplishments.   Knowing Sargent Fisher, he may already  be planning something for DARE.