Dear Parents and Guardians,
Since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have all lived in uncertainty. Fortunately, this school year has provided some sense of normalcy for our students, staff, and families. We have been blessed to provide the opportunity for in-person learning, and we sincerely thank all of those who have worked incredibly hard to make it happen.

After the Thanksgiving holiday, we have seen the number of both positive COVID-19 cases and quarantines in our school community rise dramatically. With the best interest of our students, staff, and families in mind, we have made the difficult decision to transition to distance learning beginning Monday, December 14. In anticipation of the continual rise of positive cases and quarantines during and following the holiday break, we will resume distance learning for the beginning of the second semester on January 5. Students will have the opportunity to return to in-person classes on January 19. We certainly understand the hardship this places on our families, however, the health of our students and staff is our priority.

Below you will find answers to many of your questions regarding distance learning. In the coming days, we encourage you to watch for additional information via email and social media.

Thank you,
Dr. James White
Superintendent

DISTANCE LEARNING FRAMEWORK
Your site principal will send a detailed email regarding your student's school site and its distance learning framework on Friday. Guidelines will vary based on grade level.
EXPECTATIONS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING
  • Educators will continue teaching new concepts and standards. It is imperative that students participate fully in watching all posted content and completing their daily assignments.
  • Students will access lessons through Google Classroom remotely.
  • Students are expected to login and complete their lessons via Google Classroom DAILY.
  • Assignments will be posted by 8 a.m. each day.
  • All assignments will be due on Monday for the previous week. This will allow flexibility for families who may need the weekend to complete posted assignments. Students who fail to turn in their work by Friday after the Monday it was due will receive a zero for that assignment and will not be allowed to make it up (parent communication and documentation required).

ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
  • Zoom meeting schedule will be posted in your student's Google Classroom by their teacher. Students are expected to attend these Zoom sessions. Sessions will include small group literacy and math instruction.
  • Zoom meetings should be treated as an in-person, in-class session. Students should be dressed and ready for the day in school appropriate attire. Students should not be in bed, eating breakfast or lunch, etc. Please be respectful of the teacher's time and be prepared for class.

ACCESSING GOOGLE CLASSROOM
  • By this time, your student should know how to access Google Classroom using their assigned login information. If your student does not know how to access Google Classroom, please contact your student's teacher.
SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Schedule Information will be distributed by your student's teacher via Google Classroom. This includes information regarding Zoom sessions, teacher office hours, and assignments.
SCHOOL MEALS
School meals are available FREE for all children under the age of 18. During Distance Learning, all students registered here will receive a daily porch delivery of one breakfast and one lunch. On Fridays, three breakfasts and three lunches will be delivered. In addition, these meals can be delivered to daycare facilities within our district boundaries.

Deadline to submit order for next week: Friday, December 11th @ 11:59 p.m.
SPECIAL SERVICES
All special education case managers have met with parents/guardians regarding contingency plans for distance learning to ensure the individual needs of these students are met. If you have questions regarding your student's special services contingency plan, please contact your case manager.
CV TECH
Students attending CV Tech will follow the CV Tech schedule. At this time, in-person learning continues and bus transportation will be provided.
DEVICES, MATERIALS & INTERNET ACCESS
DEVICES
Piedmont students grades 5-12 have been provided a device (Google Chromebook). 3rd and 4th-grade students may check out the device from their classroom during Distance Learning. Parents are required to complete the Computer Usage Agreement prior to check-out.  

Pre-k thru 2nd-grade students may check out a device on an as-needed basis, while devices are available, by contacting their child’s school office.  

MATERIALS
Teachers will have students take home necessary school supplies/materials, workbooks, etc. prior to Distance Learning. Library books will not be checked out during this time.

INTERNET
Piedmont students in grades 5-12 will have access to an "Internet Cafe" at their school site. The cafeteria spaces will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. to allow students who do not have internet access to complete assignments and work independently on daily tasks. COVID-19 procedures must be followed.

Families who do not have adequate internet access can access free WiFi for their student in the designated area shown on the map below. As more access areas are established, we will release additional maps. Wi-Fi Network: PPS-Guest Password: PPSWildcats
Piedmont Public Schools