Dear HGSD Parents, Staff and Community, March 20, 2020
Thank you to all for your hard work and preparing for our first few days of Virtual Learning. Over the course of 4 or 5 days, you have completely transformed how we provide learning to our students. We have done this in a form we have never tested or practiced before. I know that you are all working as hard as you can to provide the best you can for our students.
We as a community have always had high expectations for ourselves and for each other. It shows in all of our successes, both in school and in life. However, I know that this change has caused an immense amount of stress and anxiety for many of you to meet those high expectations. We are reaching out to all of you to help. Do not feel defeated, this will pass.
Parents, please do not feel that we expect you to instantly become a math teacher or science teacher or music teacher. That is not our expectation. Many of you have jobs that continue and you are not able to support your child’s learning the way you’d want. We understand that. We know that you will do your best, and focus on quality, not quantity. We will all make the best of this situation. Students are not going to fail, flunk, or be retained by not completing everything that is out there online.
The best advice I can give all of you is to work together as a family to set a consistent schedule that works for you and your children. You know your current family situation best and the state of mind your children are in. An example for you might be:
- Morning: out of bed, eating breakfast, and dressed by 8 am
- 8:00- Reading
- 9:00- Play a game/puzzle
- 10:00- Writing
- 11:00- recess/lunch (free lunch to all under 18, Grab-N-Go in the High School Commons)
- 12:00- Math
- 1:00- Art project/Music project
- 2:00- Science/Social Studies
As we are all struggling to figure out this “new normal” we cannot forget the fears, concerns, and struggles we are all having. Again, Howards Grove will make the best of the situation and we will be a better, stronger community because of it.
Teachers, I know many of you have communicated to parents via email. Please continue to do so often. It is critical to stay connected, give support and get feedback on how we can grow.
Sincerely, Chris Peterson, Heather Zizis, Jason Cole, Tracy Bandt and Scott Fritz