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Distance Learning

Distance Learning Information

During the school's closure, we will implement a distance learning plan in an effort to continue instruction for our students.

The distance learning plans vary by division, so please read the information below to help prepare your children for this process. Please note that this is an overview of each division's plan, more specific information will be provided by the principals via email.

We realize that the implementation of distance learning will be an adjustment for our students. The Technology Department will be available during normal business hours for support, which you can request at churchillschoolnyc.freshdesk.com. Additional support resources are listed in the sidebar.

High School Info

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

Distance Learning Plan

Teachers and students will utilize Google Meet to meet virutally for instruction and to check in on the status of assigned projects. Teachers will utilize the same meeting link for each of their classes and this information will be posted on the bulletin boards of their class pages. Specialists will either utilize this system or schedule meeting times via Google Calendar.

Students will use their school issued laptop to participate in meetings by accessing Google Hangouts Meet through a web browser. They can also use a home computer or can use the Meet app on either a tablet or smartphone. Students have all had practice visiting Google Meet so they should have some familiarity with the process of joining a meeting.

Assignments and other course materials will be distributed through class pages, email, and/or Google Drive.

Students are expected to have their computers charged and ready to use each day. Technology assistance will be available to students during normal school hours.
Attendance

Attendance will be taken and absences will count against a student in the same way they would if students were physically attending school. If a student must be absent, please email Joyce Paul.
Schedule
The High School will be participating in Distance Learning five days a week. We will be using Google Meet to facilitate “live classes” throughout each day, starting with a 9:00 AM advisement period for the first three days. At this time, advisors will help students get set up and organized for their day--reminding them to check their email, follow their daily schedule, and utilize their checklist (see below). Students should check their emails for an invite to their advisement meetings.

Assignments will be given daily and will be posted on the class websites as is standard operating procedure. Students should check their class websites for assignments and their email three times per day as teachers will use both platforms to communicate with them.

Students will have at least four “live classes” during the day in which they will meet for up to 30 minute with their teachers using Google Meet. At this time, teachers will teach content, review independent work that students have turned in, and give students the opportunity to ask clarifying questions.
- 9:00 Check in with Advisor (These advisor check-ins will take place for the first three days of instruction March 25-27). After this point we will evaluate how students are doing and determine how often to hold such check-in sessions.
- 9:30-11:20 Social Studies, English, Science Classes
- 11:30-12:00 This time slot will be used for electives and HHR meetings. Students should check their emails for guidance and links to Google Meet sessions. This is not a daily commitment (although students should check their emails on a daily basis to see if they have been asked to join a Google Meet session or given an assignment.
- 1:00-3:30 Math Periods and help with writing from our learning specialist and Speech and Language teachers. Students who are seeking support with a writing assignment should reach out one of the writing specialists to set up a meeting time. Writing specialists will also send out their email addresses to make it easier for students to contact them.
Guidelines for Distance Learning

Students should follow these guidelines to ensure productive, respectful class time through virtual, distance learning platforms.

1. Show up on time. If teachers choose to hold a synchronous videoconference for class, it will take place during the class period time of the letter day on that date. Students should log into Google Meet at the agreed upon time. They should be prepared with any needed materials and ready to learn. Teachers will take attendance.

2. Mute your microphone immediately. As soon as you log on to Google Meet, mute your microphone. This will avoid any excess background noise. Release the mute button when it is your turn to speak in the virtual class.

3. Everyone is visible in a Google Meet videoconference. All participants should wear appropriate clothing. You should have your laptop in a common space of your home (e.g. kitchen, living room, etc.) not your bedroom, bathroom, or other inappropriate setting.

4. Focus and engage. It is easy to get distracted on your computer or your cell phone. Remember that this is class. You are responsible for the material presented in class. Keep your Google Meet open and do not navigate to other tabs or webpages unless directed by your teacher. Make sure that the teacher is your main screen. If needed, you can pin the teacher to be the main focal point to ensure that you do not get distracted by your peers.

5. If you have questions. Type "question" in the chat feature. Follow your teacher's directions about how to ensure that your voice is heard. Do not interrupt while someone else is speaking. Some teachers might alternatively prefer that you type in a question directly to the chat feature.

6. Respect. Seeing yourself on a screen can bring up vulnerabilities. Do not take a screenshot, picture, Snapchat, etc of your teacher or fellow students. Do not make any recordings. These behaviors violate our Acceptable Use Policy and will result in disciplinary action.

7. Support one another. Do not interfere with your classmates' learning. Please do all you can to support this process. Remember that each student and the teacher are responsible for this learning just as you would be if we were together in school.

Middle School Info

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

Distance Learning Plan

Teachers and students will utilize Google Meet to meet virutally for instruction and to check in on the status of assigned projects. Teachers will utilize the same meeting link for each of their classes and this information will be posted on the bulletin boards of their class pages. Specialists will either utilize this system or schedule meeting times via email.

Students will use their school issued iPad to participate in meetings by accessing Google Hangouts Meet through iOS app. They can also use a home computer or can use the Meet app on either a tablet or smartphone. Students have all had practice visiting Google Meet so they should have some familiarity with the process of joining a meeting.

Assignments and other course materials will be distributed through class pages, email, and/or Google Drive.

Students are expected to have their iPads charged and ready to use each day. Technology assistance will be available to students during normal school hours.
Attendance

Attendance will be taken and absences will count against a student in the same way they would if students were physically attending school. If a student must be absent, please email Rosie Padilla and your child's advisor.
Schedule
The Middle School will be participating in Distance Learning five days a week. We will be using Google Meet to facilitate “live online classes” throughout each day, starting with a 9:00 AM advisement period. At this time, advisors will help students get set up and organized for their day--reminding them to check their email, follow their daily schedule, and utilize their checklist. Assignments will be given daily and will be posted on the website. Students and parents should check the website and their email three times per day as teachers will use both platforms to communicate with students.

Students will have 2-4 other “live online classes” during the day in which they will meet for 20 minute sessions with their teachers over Google Meet. At this time, teachers can review independent work that students have turned in and students will be given the opportunity to ask clarifying questions.
- Mondays and Wednesdays - “live online classes” for English and Science
- Tuesdays and Thursdays - “live online classes” for History and Math
- Fridays - “live online classes” for Specials and PE
- HHR “live online classes” once per week (please ensure that students have a quiet, private space to ensure confidentiality)
- Students participating in the musical will have rehearsal time built into their schedules
** Your child’s schedule will be shared with them as a GoogleDoc on Monday, 3/23. You will receive an email then from your child’s advisors with details about how to access this schedule and what is expected before distance learning begins on Wednesday, 3/25.

** Once distance learning begins, your child can also check the Churchill website to find their “live online classes” times posted to the Bulletin Board for each of their classes.

Our learning specialist (Kathy Peppers), speech and language therapist (Neva Hellman), and math coordinator (Nicole Ryan) will be available each day for support. Students can request 1:1 sessions with Ms. Peppers, Ms. Hellman, Ms. Ryan and any other teacher. Teachers will also be reaching out to students to set up 1:1 meetings as they see fit. All 1:1 sessions will be set up via email. Parents will be CC’d on all email correspondence.
Guidelines for Distance Learning
Students: Use the checklist below each day, Monday-Friday.
- Set up a workspace in your home
- Follow daily schedule
- Attend all live classes through Google Meet
- Check email at least 3 times per day
- Use Churchill website to download assignments for each class & get links for live classes
- Complete all work thoroughly and turn it in on time
- Try your best!

Elementary School Info

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

Distance Learning Plan

Teachers and students will utilize Google Hangout Meet to meet virutally for instruction and to check in on the status of assigned projects. Teachers will utilize the same meeting link for each of their classes and this information will be posted on the bulletin boards of their class pages. Specialists will either utilize this system or schedule meeting times via Google Calendar.

Students will use an iPad to participate in meetings by accessing Google Hangouts Meet through the iOS app. They can also use a home computer to access Meet through a web browser or can use the Meet app on a tablet or smartphone. Students have all had practice visiting Google Meet so they should have some familiarity with the process of joining a meeting.

Assignments and other course materials will be distributed through Seesaw. QR codes and student login information for Google Hangouts Meet will be available through the website and on class pages.

Students are expected to have their iPads charged and ready to use each day. Technology assistance will be available to students during normal school hours.
Attendance

Attendance will be taken and absences will count against a student in the same way they would if students were physically attending school. If a student must be absent, please email Rosie Padilla and the teachers whose classes you will miss.
Schedule

The Elementary School will be participating in Distance Learning five days a week. We will be using Google Meet to facilitate “live online classes” throughout each day, starting at a given time, depending on your child’s Cluster. Assignments and activities will be given daily and will be primarily shared via Google Drive, the Seesaw app or QR codes. Occasionally, assignments will be shared via email or through the school website. Students and parents should check the website, emails, and specific applications three times per day as teachers will use all platforms to communicate.

Students will have 2-4 “live online classes” during the day in which they will meet for 20-30 minute sessions with their academic teachers, specialists and related service providers (Monday-Friday). At this time, teachers will introduce new information for guided instruction. Teachers will also review assignments that students have turned in and students will be given the opportunity to ask clarifying questions. Students will have “live online classes” for Reading, Math, and Homeroom twice per week. Students will have “live online classes” for Science one time per week. Students will have all of their specials “live online classes” including: Art, Music, PE, STEAM, and Library, once per week. Students will also have an HHR or Social Skills “live online group” once per week. Speech and Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists will be pushing into “live online classes” twice per week. Please reference the parent checklist (linked below) for suggestions on how to schedule 1:1 instruction, periods for independent student work, breaks, movement activities, etc.

Our literacy specialist (Natalie Sheridan), and math coordinator (Nicole Ryan) will be available each day for support to students and teachers. Teachers will also be reaching out to students to set up 1:1 or small group meetings as they see fit. All 1:1 sessions will be set up via email (to parents).
Guidelines for Distance Learning
Students and Parents: Use the checklist below each day, Monday-Friday.
- Set up a workspace in your home
- Follow daily schedule
- Attend all “live check-ins” through Google Meet
- Check email at least 3 times per day
- Use Google Folders, Churchill website, Seesaw and other platforms to download assignments for each class & get links for “live check-ins”
- Complete all work thoroughly and turn it in on time
- Try your best!

Support Resources

List of 1 frequently asked questions.

Charter WiFi Offer

Beginning today, Monday, March 16, Charter cable will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription, and installation fees will be waived for new student households. For eligible low-income households without school-aged children, Charter continues to offer "Spectrum Internet Assist," a low-cost broadband program delivering speeds of 30 Mbps. They are also opening its Wi-Fi hotspots across their service area for public use. To enroll in the free broadband service or Internet Assist, call 1-844-488-8395. (It's their standard customer service line, so use the "new service" or "add service" option. To avoid long wait times, call early in the morning or later in the evening, until 1:00 am EDT)