Middle School Remote Learning Plan 2020

LEARNING, REMASTERED Masters Middle School Remote Learning Plan Fall 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1Goals for

Remote Learning

2The Middle School Core Values

2Expectations for

Students and Families

4Schedule of Classes 5Advisory 5Student Support 6Masters Time 6Performing Arts Ensembles

7Zoom 7Google Sites 8Submitting Work 8Receiving Feedback 9DOs and DON’Ts 10Contacts 12Frequently

Dear Students and Families, We are excited to welcome you to the 2020-21 school year. We continue to put the health and well-being of our community first, while endeavoring to provide connection, structure, support and continued academic growth for all students.

We learned a great deal from our quick switch to remote learning last spring (teachers are ALWAYS learning!), and we have spent a lot of time working and planning to do things even better this fall.

Our schedule and structure are based on best practices we have researched as well as parent feedback from our June survey. Please read on to learn more.

GOALS FOR REMOTE LEARNING Establish and promote community connections and support all community members.

Address the social and emotional needs of students during times of challenge and change.

Continue to deliver an outstanding academic program with emphasis on active learning, collaboration and student voice.

Asked Questions

Masters Middle School 1

THE MASTERS MIDDLE SCHOOL CORE VALUES

EXPECTATIONS FOR FAMILIES

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS

Responsibility

If possible, designate a quiet place for your child to work during school hours.

Attend classes via Zoom on an eight-day schedule rotation. All classes will begin and end with everyone in class online together.

Help to eliminate distractions from your child’s learning environment, especially digital distractions such as phones, chats, messaging and games.

During the class period, students will engage in:

Integrity Respect Compassion

Reinforce expectations for independent work and academic integrity.

Encourage your child to seek help from teachers if needed.

1.

Direct instruction or class discussion.

2. Collaborative or partner work in breakout rooms and/or independent work, either on- or offline, with the teacher available to answer questions.

3.

Summary and/or wrap-up discussion.

4.

Completion of an “exit ticket” -- a brief check on students’ understanding before they leave class.

Abide by all rules as outlined in the Masters School Technology Acceptable Use Policy.

Check Masters email often for instructions and reminders.

Participate actively and appropriately in synchronous class meetings and breakout groups.

Work independently and seek support from teachers when needed. Maintain academic integrity and honesty in their work.

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Masters Middle School 3

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

8:30-8:45 am

45 min.

Students will receive individual schedules on “Meet Your Advisor Day.”

Classes are 45 minutes long and synchronous, including PE and Athletics.

Advisory via Google Meet Attendance, announcements, recorded and/or live Morning Meetings

8:45-9:30 am

Period 1

9:30-9:40 am

Transition time

9:40-10:25 am

Period 2

10:25-10:45 am

MORNING BREAK

10:45-11:30 am

Period 3

11:30-12:10 pm

LUNCH

12:10-12:55 pm

Period 4

12:55-1:05 pm

Transition

1:05-1:50 pm

Period 5​ (PE/health for 5th/6th for 6 of 8 days)

1:50-2:00 pm

Transition time

2:00-2:45 pm

Period 6​ (Athletics/health for 7th/8th every day)

2:45-3:15 pm

Optional office hours/student support

3:15-3:45 pm

Masters Time ● M/W/F - grade-level meetings, 1:1 check-ins with advisors, other activities ● Tuesday - Leadership group meetings ● Thursday - Advisory group meeting

4:00-5:00 pm

Performing Arts Ensemble rehearsals ​(optional)

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STUDENT SUPPORT

Each student is assigned an advisor who serves as their advocate and provides support in all aspects of school life.

Students begin each day with their advisor group (attendance for the day is taken at this time), and advisors also schedule one-on-one or small group check-ins.

Advisors serve as liaisons between home and school, and they are typically the first point of contact should parents or guardians have a question or concern.

Teachers hold dropin office hours every afternoon to answer questions and offer help to any students who request it. Teachers also sometimes ask a student who is struggling with a particular topic, skill or assignment to meet with them during this time.

DAILY

8:30 a.m.

School begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends between 2:45 and 3:45 p.m., depending on the day and chosen activities.

ADVISORY

Advisor groups meet weekly for a longer advisor period. The advisory curriculum for each grade level addresses a wide range of age-appropriate topics ranging from goal setting and growth mindset to conflict resolution.

DAILY 2:45-3:15 P.M.

Teachers sometimes hold extra review sessions prior to an assessment during office hours. This is also a good time to meet with a teacher to get caught up if you have missed class for any reason.

Masters Middle School 5

MASTERS TIME DAILY 3:15-3:45 P.M.

PERFORMING ARTS ENSEMBLES 4:00-5:00 P.M.

On Tuesday, the following student leadership groups meet during Masters Time:

Optional performing arts ensembles will rehearse remotely during this time.

• Student Leadership Board

Monday: Middle School Jazz

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion • EFFECT (environmental concerns) • MISH (community service) • GSA (gender and sexuality alliance) • Membership is optional and open to all students.

On Thursday, advisor groups meet for planned lessons and activities.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday are used for checkins with advisors, periodic grade level meetings, and optional special interest group meetings (book club, D&D, etc.).

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Tuesday: Middle School Orchestra, Tues.

Masters of Rock Wednesday: Master Singers, Wed. Masters of Rock Thursday: Boom

ZOOM Instructions from Masters Tech Department are here.

Click here for Masters Guide to Zoom Etiquette.

GOOGLE SITES This year we are introducing grade level and course website pages. On these pages you will find all of the materials and resources you will need for class, as well as links to the assignment calendar.

Preludes will be rescheduled for the spring, if possible.

* Note: Lin-Manuel Miranda will not be your teacher. Sorry.

Masters Middle School 7

SUBMITTING WORK

RECEIVING FEEDBACK

You may be asked to submit your work to your teachers in a variety of different ways, including:

You may also receive feedback from your teachers in a variety of ways, including:

• Sharing a Google Doc, Sheet or PhotoScan

• Written or recorded comments on a Google Doc, Sheet, etc.

• Emailing a photo or scan of your work (math problems or a drawing for art class, for example) • Attaching it to an email • LMS assignment submission • Other methods Be sure to read directions carefully so you get credit for your work!

PLEASE DO… • Use only your school email account to contact your teacher.

• Name documents or files according to instructions so you get proper credit for your work.

• Take your work seriously and do your best!

• Ask for help when you need it.

• Contact Helpdesk if you have technical difficulties.

• Email • Recorded message or live video meeting • Other methods

PLEASE DO NOT...

• Expect your teacher to respond to email after 4:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m.

• Give or receive help on an assignment unless specifically given permission by your teacher.

• Use materials from the internet and present them as your own (plagiarize).

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Masters Middle School 9

CONTACTS Head of Middle School, Tasha Elsbach:

Middle School Counselor, Gretchen Campbell:

Associate Head of Middle School, Lynn Salehi:

Middle School Learning Specialist, Mona Hazarika Tamucci:

tasha.elsbach@mastersny.org

lynn.salehi@mastersny.org

GRADE-LEVEL DEANS Fifth Grade, Michaela Boller:

michaela.boller@mastersny.org

6th Grade, Katie Meadows:

katie.meadows@mastersny.org

7th Grade, Paul Friedman:

paul.friedman@mastersny.org

8th Grade, Morghan Lewis:

morghan.lewis@mastersny.org

Middle School Administrative Assistant, Eileen Lynch: eileen.lynch@mastersny.org

Middle School Registrar and Director of After-School Programs, Erica Igielski: erica.igielski@mastersny.org

Director of Health Services, Sue Adams: sue.adams@mastersny.org

School Nurse, Tara Eng:

tara.eng@mastersny.org 10 Remote Learning Plan

gretchen.campbell@mastersny.org

mona.hazarikatamucci@mastersny.org

Director of Athletics, Logan Condon: logan.condon@mastersny.org

Middle School Performing Arts Coordinator, Katie Meadows: katie.meadows@mastersny.org

Director of Equity and Inclusion, Karen Brown: karen.brown@mastersny.org

Director of Parent Engagement and Special Events, Aishling Peterson: aishling.peterson@mastersny.org

Campus Store Manager, Lisa Nussbaum: lisa.nussbaum@mastersny.org

Student Accounts Coordinator, Anna Delahanty: anna.delahanty@mastersny.org

Transportation Coordinator, Ed Gormley: ed.gormley@mastersny.org

Security:

914-439-1015

Masters Middle School 11

FAQS 1. How do I know what link to use for each class’s Zoom?

The URL for each class is posted at the top of the course page. You will also be provided with a “virtual class directory” listing the URLs used by every teacher in the Middle School.

2. What if I miss a class because I’m sick or otherwise unable to attend?

Be sure to have a parent or guardian contact the teacher. Zoom meetings will be recorded so you can view them at a later time if needed, but it’s a good idea to check in with your teacher when you are well to see what else you might need to do catch up.

3. What if I am unable to submit my work on time for any reason?

Please contact your teacher to let them know as soon as you are able, and reach out to the Tech Department if you need help.

4. What do I do if I am having technology problems?

Please contact Masters Technology Department.

Email from Masters address: Helpdesk@MastersNY.org

Email from Non-Masters address: Support@MastersNY.org

Phone: (914) 479-6500 – will ring directly into Helpdesk

mastersny.org