March 27, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones safe and well. We are all experiencing this time of uncertainty differently, often hour by hour. I am aware of the burdens that this is placing on us as individuals, as families, and as a community. I want to ensure all of you that we will work tirelessly to support our students and our families in every way we can. Savage Strong!
Teachers are working hard, examining all the possible ways to continue to provide a quality education for our students. This work will continue and plans will be finalized, to the extent possible, on March 30 and 31. I can assure you that we will support students and families to the best of our abilities throughout this trying ordeal. This includes providing students with health and emotional support, in addition to supporting their learning needs.
There are a lot of moving parts as we plan to meet all the needs of our students and families. Here is what you can expect from us and what the expectations of students are:
Lunches will be provided to students, as well as specifics for how learning materials will be delivered to students and returned to teachers. The specifics of these plans will be finalized and communicated to you before April 1
Much of the learning materials at the secondary level will be delivered via the internet. Teachers are developing methods for this including using Google Classroom. Information will be communicated to you and your student(s) from each individual teacher prior to April 1. Please monitor your emails and have students check Google Classroom beginning Monday and Tuesday. Your student(s) can also expect to be contacted by their advisory teacher on those days as well.
Teachers will also be holding daily office hours, as well as continually monitoring their emails in order to be available for students and families.
Teachers will communicate with students and families when their office hours are as well as how students can expect to access instructions for assignments, etc.
Students without access to the internet can access materials by utilizing district WiFi from parking lots or tables outside buildings. Hardcopies can also be made available as needed. Additionally, the district is looking at providing WiFi boosters and other means of delivery internet to those who need it.
Students who need computers will be able to check those out beginning Monday and Tuesday. We will try and utilize a curbside checkout procedure. This is also the time students who need to collect backpacks, textbooks, and other learning materials will be allowed into the buildings. We will utilize a one or two at a time procedure. I will NOT be at school unless contacted by you for pick-up. Please contact me at ewingk@jsd243.org or at 208-628-4015 to arrange a time to meet me at school.
Per state statute, students are expected to spend an average of four hours per day, or 16 hours per week, working on lessons, including IDLA courses they are enrolled in. They are also expected to complete work assigned to them. That said, students are not expected to “attend” class daily. We want to provide students and families the flexibility needed during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Kyle Ewing
Riggins Elementary is hosting The Writer’s Cafe. This is a parent involvement activity with free pizza, door prize, and performances by students. Join us Thursday, February 27 at 6:00 for pizza and salad. Open mic performances start at 6:45.