Internet Hot Spot & Other Online Learning Start-Up Information
Please note that all families are receiving this message regardless of online or in-person enrollment. If your child is attending in-person, please disregard.
Good afternoon C-F Families,
As we look forward to the start of the school year, please review the important information about our online kick-off below.
Getting Started
All teachers are now reaching out to online students and families using the email provided during the registration process. This should conclude no later than the end of the day Tuesday. If you haven't heard from a teacher by 4 pm tomorrow, email us here immediately. This introductory email will provide an overview of the course, methods of instruction and expectations of students. Some will also be sharing usernames and passwords for online learning platforms.
For those without internet access, we will be sending a summarized version of the above home in the mail.
Log-In Information
Your child will soon be receiving log-in information (usernames and passwords) for our online platforms. Some students will be receiving several from different teachers. Please help them accurately manage this information so it doesn't slow down the learning process for them or our staff. Lost and forgotten passwords can be time consuming for all involved.
Internet Hot Spots
Online families with very limited or no internet access may now apply for a free internet hot spot. Please do so here no later than Monday, September 14. Please do not apply if your child is attending in-person or if you have any way to manage internet access in a different way. Our hot spots are limited in number and we want them to go to those most in need.
The Schedule
The methods and timing of online instruction will vary from teacher to teacher. However, each will be using EdGenuity as well as various other platforms like Imagine Learning, Google Classroom, etc. combined with their own lessons, materials or instructions. Students are not expected to be in front of their computer for live instruction from 8 am to 2:30 pm each day although we do encourage you to set these time parameters for school work - both independent and guided.
You can expect numerous communications directly with your child (via your email if in grades 6 or under) or through the online platforms each week. Most homework will be done according to the schedule you set for your child and, again, we encourage you to set a daytime routine Monday through Friday beginning immediately.
Teacher Assignments
All online students K-12 will have teacher assignments no different than the students attending in-person. Secondary students, therefore, will be working with several different teachers. This will make the transition back to in-person instruction much more smooth if you choose to do so at the end of the quarter.
Assigned teachers should be the student and parents' first point of contact for questions and concerns about classwork. Teacher contact info can be found on our website here.
Alternative Internet Access
Unfortunately, internet hot spots simply will not work in some areas of the district that don't have any cellular signal. We encourage online students and families in these areas to work with family members, neighbors and friends to make alternate plans if possible. Families are also free to access the C-F network using C-F devices from the parking lot outside the high school office. There are also several public wifi hot spots in local parks and other locations. We recognize this is a significant barrier for some students and we will continue to offer solutions as best we can.
Our Vendors
All of our vendors - from EdGenuity to Apple - are struggling with record high demand for both products and technical support. In some cases, gaps in their service have negatively impacted C-F. For example, we have been emailing EdGenuity this weekend because they failed to upload all of our elementary students into their network. We are working very hard to correct this and all the other challenges we're facing but please know some issues are out of our hands in spite of the pressure we're applying.
Questions?
Your patience as we get the online program off the ground this week is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Kevin
Kevin Kelly
Superintendent
Camden-Frontier School
(517) 689-2101
