KEC HOME LEARNING PROGRAM-COVID-19 - Kahnawà:ke Education Center 2020-2021 - Kahnawake ...

Page created by Maurice Pope
 
CONTINUE READING
KEC HOME LEARNING PROGRAM-COVID-19 - Kahnawà:ke Education Center 2020-2021 - Kahnawake ...
2020-
                                               2021

           KEC HOME
           LEARNING
           PROGRAM-
           COVID-19

Kahnawà:ke Education Center

            2020-2021
                         UPDATED SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
KEC HOME LEARNING PROGRAM-COVID-19 - Kahnawà:ke Education Center 2020-2021 - Kahnawake ...
Contents
KEC VISION STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................... 1
KEC HOME LEARNING PROGRAM COVID-19 ................................................................................................ 1
KEC STUDENT RIGHT TO EDUCATION ........................................................................................................... 1
Eligibility ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Registration Procedures................................................................................................................................ 2
School Responsibility .................................................................................................................................... 3
Role of the School Distance Teacher ............................................................................................................ 3
   Overview of Supporting Roles................................................................................................................... 4
Parent and Student Responsibility................................................................................................................ 5
Curriculum Resources ................................................................................................................................... 5
Monitoring and Assessment ......................................................................................................................... 6
Communication ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Attendance.................................................................................................................................................... 6
Opt-in, opt-out procedures ........................................................................................................................... 7
Home Learning: 8 Tips to Help Your Child Learn at Home............................................................................ 7
Home Learning Time Chart ........................................................................................................................... 9
Frequently Asked Questions ......................................................................................................................... 9
Important Message to Parents ..................................................................................................................... 9

                                                                                                              UPDATED SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
KEC HOME LEARNING PROGRAM-COVID-19 - Kahnawà:ke Education Center 2020-2021 - Kahnawake ...
KEC VISION STATEMENT
             Nurtured by a strong, healthy network of family and community
               all of our students are empowered and proud Onkwehón:we,
       academically successful and well prepared to thrive in any life path they choose

KEC HOME LEARNING PROGRAM COVID-19
The Kahnawà:ke Education Center (KEC) ensures that all children are provided equal
opportunity to succeed. In order to meet the various needs expressed by parents during the
COVID-19 pandemic, we have developed a KEC Home Learning Program that will support our
parents and students who have chosen to not partake in on-site learning for their child (ren)
due to health and safety concerns. It is important to note that KEC schools are taking optimal
preventative measures within our three school locations in order to mitigate possible COVID-19
transmission, however, parent choice, especially during these exceptional circumstances, must
be supported.
The KEC and our respective schools are proud of the quick coordination of such a program and
ask for your understanding, feedback and patience as we enter this new journey together. It is
also important to note that this guide is subject to revisions when required.

KEC STUDENT RIGHT TO EDUCATION
The KEC recognizes and supports student right to education regardless of the circumstances
that may interrupt the regular delivery of services. The Kahnawà:ke Education Responsibility
Act (KERA) and Kahnawà:ke Combined School Committee Constitution and By-laws guide the
KEC as per our responsibilities to students and parents who are registered within our
community schools.
In accordance with the Kahnawà:ke Education Responsibility Act (KERA) the following criteria
supports our reasoning for implementing this program:
PART 1: STUDENT RIGHTS
   1. Every Kahnawakehró:non has the right to:
           a. Pre-school development and learning services;
           b. Elementary school instruction services;
           c. Secondary school instruction services.
   2. It is compulsory for a child who has reached the age of five (5) years on/or before the
      date of admission of the school year to attend elementary and continue on to secondary
      school until the child attains the age of 16 years.
   3. A child who attains the age five (5) years after the admission date of the current school
      calendar shall attend elementary school on the first day of the next school year.

                                                                                      1|Page
4. Notwithstanding Article 2, a child may be exempted from compulsory attendance in a
      Kahnawà:ke school if the child:
         a. Is unable to attend school due to sickness or other unavoidable cause;
   5. Every student is entitled to the student and special needs services provided by the
      Kahnawà:ke Education Center (KEC).
   6. Students with special needs will have equal access to community school programs.
   7. Every student is entitled to a safe and secure community school.
The KEC Home Learning Program is a collaborative program between home and school. The
primary oversight falls upon the parent/guardian to ensure instruction occurs, learning goals
are addressed, and proper structure, time and accountability are respected.
Our three schools are unique in terms of the programs they are required to deliver as well as
the age groups they service. Therefore, the KEC intends this guide to provide the schools and
parents with an overall understanding of the KEC Home-Learning Program; however, each
school will adapt the delivery to their needs and circumstances.
 The program is supported by the KEC and our three schools through a spirit of collaboration,
care and understanding of our respective circumstances during this difficult period.

Eligibility
Nursery to Grade 11 students of Kateri, Karonhianónhnha, and Kahnawà:ke Survival School who
are currently on the KEC nominal roll.

Registration Procedures
Students must be registered and enrolled at Kateri School, Karonhianónhnha, or KSS.
A separate KEC Home-Learning Program Agreement must be completed in addition to the
regular school registration form.
The deadline to register and notify the respective school that you will be enrolling your child
(ren) for the home-learning program will be Friday, September 4, 2020.

Parent and student(s) are required to attend scheduled school orientation meeting with their
respective classroom teacher during the week of September 14 th.
Information regarding coordination of support services will be shared during orientation
meeting.

                                                                                        2|Page
School Responsibility
      Provide the required instructional materials, learning links, IPad or Chromebook (if
       parents do not have access to their own device).
      Provide the expected learning outcomes and targets in accordance with the school
       curriculum.
      Monitor student progress.
      Support and guide parents to information related to various learning modes, strategies
       and stress the importance of such (guided learning 1:1, outdoor learning, experiential
       learning, project based learning, etc.).
      If a student has identified special needs, the goals, objectives, and services outlined in
       their Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be respected and provided online or on-site
       when required.
      Provides home learners with a School Distance Teacher to align school and home
       objectives.
            o Monitoring, support and evaluation progress periods will be determined and
                shared with parents.
      In the event that the school or parent identifies lack of progress and/or oversight of
       student learning, a meeting will be held with parent and identified school personnel in
       order to discuss circumstances and develop a plan to provide additional supports if
       required.
      If the issue is not resolved, a Case Conference will be organized involving parents, school
       administration, and KEC Coordinator of Student Services and Family Engagement to
       develop the next plan of action in accordance with regular KEC protocols.

Role of the School Distance Teacher
The role of a teacher in distance education system is considerably different from that of a
teacher in the conventional system classroom. The School Distance Teacher is normally the
main contact/liaison between parents/guardians and the school.
      Assists the home room teacher in planning, designing, and incorporating strategies to
       encourage active learning, interaction, participation, and collaboration .
      Assists grade level/subject specific teams in review of common assessments the
       development of assessments, projects, and assignments that meet standards-based
       learning goals1
      Provides leadership in ways that promote home learning student success through
       regular feedback, prompt response, and the delivery of clear expectations

      1   . The Curriculum Consultant assists teacher teams in their PLC’s to review assessments.

                                                                                                     3|Page
    Assists the parent and student to adapt to on-line learning platforms, learning
            applications and other technological requirements.
           Assesses learning programs by measuring learner achievement of learning goals
           Support the parent and teacher in determining alternative approaches that would
            support the child’s progress.

Overview of Supporting Roles2
    Grade level/subject teacher              School Distance Teacher                   School Resource Teacher
      1. Provides learning outcomes,          1. Collaborates with identified            1. Each school will determine
         duration, and periods when              grade level teachers/subject               how resource teachers will
         formative and summative                 specific teachers to compile               support classroom teachers
         assessments are to be                   learning targets and seek                  and parents whose child (ren)
         administered for specific               resources not attainable on-               currently receive or will
         grade level.                            line or via educator resource.             require additional supports in
      2. Identifies resources to              2. Seek out and ensure resources              addition to the regular school
         support learning.                       to support on-line learning are            programming.
         Engages in teaching student             accessible to the educators,               (i.e. one resource teacher
         when and if possible through            parents and students.                      designated for Home Learning
         alternative means.                   3. Collaborate with KEC                       Program)
                                                 curriculum consultants                  2. Coordinate assessment and
                                                 identifying and gathering                  monitoring periods in
                                                 resources to support home                  consultation with classroom
                                                 learning that address specific             teacher and School Distance
                                                 learning outcomes.                         Teacher.
                                              4. Monitors time-line, learning            3. Coordinate meetings with
                                                 targets, assessment dates for              parents for review,
                                                 each grade level/subject.                  development and monitoring
                                              5. Coordinate or/administer                   of Individual Education Plan.
                                                 periodic assessments of                 4. Provide parents with specific
                                                 student learning.                          resources to support
                                              6. Coordinate and monitor the                 attainment of IEP goals.
                                                 overall progress of school
                                                 specific Home Learning
                                                 Program in collaboration with
                                                 educators, students and
                                                 parents.
                                              7. Maintains and updates a
                                                 database on enrolment,
                                                 parent contact dates,
                                                 assessment periods, and other
                                                 pertinent information related
                                                 to the program.
                                              8. Provide school and parents
                                                 with periodic updates on the
                                                 program development.
                                              9. Support parent and student
                                                 with on-line tech training.

2   Note: The school principal and associate principal will oversee their respective Home Learning Program.

                                                                                                                4|Page
Parent and Student Responsibility
     The parent/guardian must sign an agreement and be an active partner in the learning
      process.
     The parent/guardian will work with their child using the expected Learning Outcomes
      and Targets provided by the school.
     Karonhianónhnha School will also receive curriculum packages provided by the Owén:na
      Otióhkwa Curriculum Center.
     Home Learning is the responsibility of the parent/guardian with the support of the
      classroom, subject teacher, School Distance Teacher, and other identified school
      personnel.
     The parent/guardian must be present during the Home Learning sessions.
     The parent/guardian must attend the Parent and Student Orientation meeting and any
      other meetings that may be scheduled regarding their child.
     The parent/guardian is the main contact for Home Learning communications with the
      school.
     The parent/guardian and student must comply with conditions and expectations set
      forth by the classroom teacher.
     The parent/guardian must ensure that all deadlines are met for assignments, projects,
      etc.
     If the student requires support and/or services (as per their IEP), the parent must ensure
      that they are present during the online service and monitoring of the IEP.
     The parent/guardian (and their child if needed) are required to participate in follow-up
      meetings

Curriculum Resources
     The school will provide parents with access to learning materials, learning links, and
      other required materials.
     The school will use the Google Classroom platform. Google Classroom is a web service
      developed by Google for schools that aims to simplify creating, distributing, and grading
      assignments. The primary purpose of Google Classroom is to streamline the process of
      sharing files between teachers and students. The Google Classroom platform may not
      be available to all students, (i.e. exceptions for some Kanien’kéha Immersion classes and
      certain grade levels.)
     An access code will be provided for all students who are required to use Google
      Classroom. Students in the Kanien’kéha Immersion Program (Nursery to Grade 4)
      Karonhianónhnha School will receive curriculum packages provided by the Owén:na
      Otióhkwa Curriculum Center.

                                                                                      5|Page
       Elementary home learning participants may only be able to partake in classroom zoom
           instruction in phase two. (Further updates will be provided).

Monitoring and Assessment
To be discussed at the school level
            The parent/guardian will monitor their child’s progress and report any issues to the
             teacher or School Distance Teacher.
            There will be weekly communication between the classroom teacher, School Distance
             Teacher and the parent/guardian to offer support and discuss their child’s progress.
            Additional meetings may be necessary if the parent/guardian is experiencing difficulty
             delivering the curriculum and/or meeting the expected learning outcomes.
            Guidelines with respect to educational objectives will be identified – what the child is
             expected to know and be able to do at the end of a set time-period.
            Assessment will be determined through a variety of methods i.e. checklists (my child
             met 7 out of 10 outcomes), zoom conversations with students & parents (question &
             answer), required assignments, projects & testing.
            The classroom teacher and other student supports will input a summary of student
             progress. It will also be noted that the student is engaged in the KEC Home Learning
             Program.

Communication
                 Primary communication will be determined by each school; however, it must
                  involve either classroom teacher/subject specific discipline for specific course
                  requirements and deadlines or the Distance Learning Teacher.
                 Secondary supports to parents and educators will be the School Distance
                  Teacher
                 For students with specific needs (IEP, speech services, occupational therapy, etc.)
                  identified resource teacher or delegate at respective school will be main contact.
                 Please contact your child’s school and ask for the school administrator should
                  you have any additional questions or concerns that are program related.

Attendance
          The student will be marked “present” each day by their designated classroom or
           homeroom teacher with the understanding, as per signed agreement, that the parent is
           taking on the responsibility to engage their child in learning throughout the day.

                                                                                           6|Page
   Parents will need to call the school and inform the receptionist if the child is unable to
         participate in distance learning/zoom instruction on a given day.
        It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their child is present and engaged
         for scheduled monitoring and assessment dates.

Opt-in, opt-out procedures
        At the onset of the school year, parents/guardians will register for KEC Home Learning
         Program.
        It is obligatory to stay within the chosen program for the duration of phase one
         (September 14 – October 30th.)
        In the event circumstances arise during this period that possibly justify a change, you
         must send a written request to the school administrator noting your reason to opt out
         of the program and request entry into regular program.
        The school administrator will contact you to arrange a meeting to discuss and develop a
         plan of action.
        The School Distance Learning Teacher will be contacting parents who are engaged in the
         KEC Home Learning Program prior to the end of phase one to determine if student and
         parent will remain in the program or opt into on-site (elementary) or blended program
         (KSS) for phase two (November 2 – December 18th).

Home Learning: 8 Tips to Help Your Child Learn at Home3
     1) Create a learning space for your child
            Set up a quiet, clutter-free area (reducing Clutter at the workspace helps kids
               focus).
     2) Make a schedule and stick to it
            Finding time for learning requires planning (take a look at your family’s schedule
               and figure out the best times for learning).

         Here are a few questions to help you and your child come up with a schedule:
             Does your child need a lot of help from you to get started? If so, think about
                when you, another adult, or responsible sibling is available to provide support.
             Do you have a child in middle school or high school? If so, late afternoon and
                early evening might be when they are most awake and ready to learn.

3
    (Kahn Academy Resource)

                                                                                           7|Page
   Are you building time into your child’s schedule for exercise? (See tip #5 below.)
           Going outside and taking brain breaks can help kids focus and get more done.
          Does your family have any contracts to help kids follow rules at home? Agreeing
           on when to watch TV or play video games is important when kids are learning
           full-time at home.

   Once you decide when your child will learn, identify that time as school time and stick
   with it.
3) Reduce Distractions
   Video games, computer games, social media, TV, toys, pets-our homes have many
   distractions.
   For example, is the dog a big distraction? If so. Can you put the dog in a separate room
   when your child is doing schoolwork?

   Are games or social media a big distraction? Try blocking them on your child’s device
   during instructional time. Another way to eliminate online temptations: After
   downloading an assignment, turn off the Wi-Fi and/or cellular service to help your child
   focus on the work.
4) Use a calendar and color-code it
   It is important to set up systems to help your child stay on top of school deadlines. This
   will help your child stay organized. Post a calendar and mark it with due dates. Help your
   child plan backwards from the due dates. Use visual organizers to break an assignment
   down into steps and the specific strategies needed to complete it.

   You can also use color-coding for tasks. For example, use a red pen for reading and a
   blue pen for math.

5) Get plenty of exercise
   Exercise helps us think better. When we move and groove, our problem-solving
   memory, and attention improve. Physical activity is a natural way to reduce stress and
   prevent anxiety. Experts say when we move and get our heart rate up; it has a positive
   impact on how we think.
6) Take a break if you or your children are tired
7) Reduce the time you spend on an activity if it turns out to be too difficult, or suggest
   picking another activity instead

8) Encourage and congratulate children when they carry out an activity

                                                                                   8|Page
This helpful chart shows the range kids should be engaged in learning activities by grade.

Home Learning Time Chart4
      Grade            Minimum                  Maximum             Recommended Length of
      Level                                                           Sustained Attention
        N           20 minutes/day           60 minutes/day               3- 5 minutes
        K           30 minutes/day           90 minutes/day               3-5 minutes
       1-2          45 minutes/day           90 minutes/day              5 – 10 minutes
       3-5          60 minutes/day           120 minutes/day            10 – 15 minutes
       6-8       Class: 15 minutes/day    Class: 30 minutes/day      1 subject area or class
                 Total: 80 minutes/day           Total: 180
                                               minutes/day
       9-11       Class: 20 minutes/day   Class: 45 minutes/day       1 subject area or class
                 Total: 120 minutes/day          Total: 270
                                               minutes/day

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw my child from the Home Learning Program after 2 weeks and enroll them for
on-site learning?
    No, you must keep your child in the program for the duration of phase one (Sept. 21-
        Oct. 30)

What do I do if my child needs help with a concept or assignment?
   Contact the School Distance Teacher (through email or a phone call) who can assist you.

What should I do if my child cannot complete and assignment because they are sick?
   Call the school and report the absence to the receptionist.

Important Message to Parents
As we transition into Home Learning, teachers and students will be working together to
determine what works best for their classes and their families. We understand that Home
Learning will look a little different in each home. During this time, communication with your
child’s teachers is imperative as we are all navigating these uncharted waters together. We
thank you for your patience as you take on the new role of Home Learning support for your
child.

4
    Lifehacker

                                                                                       9|Page
You can also read