Below is an update provided to CPS staff on March 19, 2020:
Once
again I hope everyone is healthy and safe. As we continue to practice social
distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, I want to provide you an update.
At this time we are working on developing a viable academic delivery system if
we are quarantined beyond March 27, 2020. This is very difficult with the
quarantine. I feel like we are being asked to do this with our hands tied
behind our back. This is especially difficult with minimal staff input;
therefore, the administration is communicating and planning through email. The
Colstrip School Board of Trustees approved the following motion on Tuesday,
March 17, 2020 Emergency Meeting: Colstrip School Board of Trustees approves
remote learning opportunities for student proficiency located offsite through
the District Website and other electronic services beginning immediately
20-1-202(5); 20-1-101(14); 20-7-118; 20-9-311(11) MCA.
At
this time, we anticipate the emergency school closure to go beyond March 27,
2020. If this happens, we want to provide a systemic viable curriculum. The
District has the means to push out electronic services through student
Chromebooks. We will not be able to push out mass paper packets due to
restricted resources, redirection time for learning, delivery of information to
all students, as well as appropriate social distancing; therefore, the District
will utilize student Chromebooks as the gateway for educational services during
these restrictive times. Here is how the District will execute this process in
each building:
- PBES: Elementary Chromebooks will be available for distribution as soon as March 20. Elementary teachers will communicate with parents through Dojo and email as to the use of the Chromebooks and tools available to students through electronic services. Please be patient as we clean and disinfect these tools before distribution.
- FBMS: Chromebooks will be available for distribution as soon as March 20. As soon as 6-8 students have access to their Chromebooks, teachers will begin to push out classroom information through student email after March 27, if the closure is extended. The principal will provide direction to the staff at that time.
- CHS: High school students already have access to their Chromebooks. If Chromebooks have been left at school, students are asked to come pick up their Chromebooks. Teachers may begin to communicate with students at that time.
All
teachers are encouraged to develop electronic deliveries through Google
Classroom, Dojo as well as other digital sources currently utilized in the
District.
Because
it is very important that the District be able to verify curriculum delivery
for students to the Office of Public Instruction after March 27, the District
is establishing remote learning opportunities through the use of IXL and Screencastify
as well as with other current programs. The District will provide more
direction in the utilization of these programs in the days to come. The use of
these types of programs will help assure our local delivery of state mandates
through an electronic means.
Teachers
will check in and out through the building office. In order to facilitate equal
access while maintaining appropriate social distancing, teachers will be
restricted to (1) hour per day isolated entry and exit in their buildings.
Tools such as the copy machine must be wiped down after use and there should
not be multiple individuals congregating around while waiting for its use. The
District has asked the building administration to police social distancing and
building use.
Our
goal at this time is to follow the Governor’s directive and prepare for
delivering educational services beyond March 27, 2020 if needed. For those that
are already communicating student needs to parents and students, thank you.
Moving forward we will attempt to identify students that do not have internet
access to provide alternatives to electronic services.
The
District is providing access to these opportunities through the school website
at http://colstripschoolsdigital.org. Mike Lovato is working on the website to
establish links for learning appropriate to student classes and grade. Students
will be able to gain fluency and confidence in math, reading and language arts!
The identified programs and interventions will help students master essential
skills at their own pace through fun and interactive questions and built in
support. We will have staff available to answer any of your questions as well
as a helpline for students. Please email: colstrip@colstrip.k12.mt.us or call
406-748-4699 ext 3421 for more information.
Additional
communication from building leadership will be coming soon via email, FaceBook
and the District Website. The Superintendent’s Office will continue to send
urgent messages by phone, text and email. You may also visit the Superintendent’s
Blog for additional information: https://colstrip-superintendent-blog.blogspot.com/.
