Cradlerock Chronicle 11.10.19

Note from the Principal: 

Good Morning Cradlerock!

Thank you ALL for your hard work to monitor, follow-up and understand the expectations the county has created as part of this Distance Learning plan.  We truly understand that there are a lot of moving parts to follow and that our elementary kids need parent support and guidance.  The release dates and times are created by the county and we understand that these at times do not fit within your families schedule.  Please feel free to be flexible, adjust the date you have your children work on certain assignments and know that not all work needs to be completed by the end of the week.  Stretch it out if needed.  Hopefully some of the information below will help clarify the expectations.  

Weekly Virtual Check-in Adjustments: 

Starting next week, the county has made changes to the Virtual Check-Ins.   In an effort to have multiple student/teacher interactions within the remaining weeks of school, students will be able to participate in two virtual check-ins each week.  The morning Check-ins will now be ELA (English Language Arts) and the afternoon Check-ins will be for Math.  We will no longer be following an A/B week schedule. In addition, each Check-in will be 30 minutes. Your child’s homeroom teacher will send a reminder email today listing the date and times of the ELA check-ins.  Visit your child’s math teacher Canvas page to verify their afternoon times.  

• Morning Check-ins:  English Language Arts
• Afternoon Check-ins:  Math

Attendance Reminders: 

Students are marked PRESENT for the week if they engage in at least one of the following activities each week:  

• Participates in a Google Meet Virtual Check-in with their teacher (either ELA/Math)
• Engages in Dreambox
• Engages in LexiaCore5

Clearly this is a very flexible requirement, so we would expect all students to be present.  

4th Quarter Grading Reminders: 

All grades are PASS or INCOMPLETE this quarter. To earn a PASSING Grade, a student must complete 50% of the activities throughout this Distance Learning Window.  Clearly we would like students to complete all of the assigned work each week, but understand that this may be difficult which is why there is flexibility built into the grading.  Our goal is that ALL students can earn a PASSING grade by completing at least 50% of the work. (below is what at least 50% means during this distance learning time)  

Grading Based on Time Requirements: 

• Dreambox (engage for at least 263 minutes or 37 minutes a week)
• LexiaCore (engage for at least 263 minutes or 37 minutes a week)

Grading Based on Pressing the Complete Button

• Social Studies (complete at least three weeks of activities)
• Science (complete at least three weeks of activities)
• Related Arts (complete at least two weeks of activities in EACH class)

Thank you! 

Jonathan Davis, Principal

Mark Your Calendar: 

• 5/25:  Schools Closed (Memorial Day)
• 11/11:  Sign Up For Parent Conferences                                                               
• 11/13:  String-a-Palooza Field Trip 4th/5th grade string students 9 am and 7 pm
• 11/18 through 11/22:  American Education Week and CRES Book Fair Opens
• 11/18:  Council of Elders Celebration at Long Reach High School 7:00 pm
• 11/19:  PTA Meeting at 7:00 pm
• 11/20:  Primary Math Night 5:30 pm
• 11/21:  Turkey Trot during Grade Level Related Arts classes
• 11/25 & 11/26:  Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Conferences
• 11/27:  School Closed for Conferences
• 11/28 and 11/29:  School/Offices Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

Benefits of and Application for Free and Reduced Meals                                                                  

Most parents know that the Free and Reduced-Price Meals program offers meal benefits, but did you know there are many other benefits for qualified families? Here is a partial list:

• Reduced health insurance for your child through the Maryland Children’s Health Program
• Reduced fee for the Columbia Association
• Reduced fees for Howard County Rec and Park programs
• Reduced fees for YMCA before and after care, and summer camps
• Comcast Internet Essentials for $9.95/month plus tax
• Child care subsidies
• Housing assistance
• Energy assistance
• Waivers that allow your child to take the SAT for free
• Waivers that allow your child to take the ACT test for free
• Reduced registration fees for AP exams

For more information, go to www.hcpss.org/farms/.

Community News and Program Information

Please visit the Community News and Programs and the HCPSS News page on the HCPSS website for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.