Link to 08-10-20 Parent Zoom

Link to 08-10-20 Parent Zoom
Posted on 08/13/2020
Building


Dr. Parkinson's 08-10-20 Parent Meeting Video





Answers to the Chat Questions from the HS Parent Meeting on 8/10

What happens to Allied Health Program with the Hospital?
Unfortunately, at this time, the students will not be allowed to shadow at the hospital. The students will be provided with alternate learning opportunities.

Can you confirm when student schedules will be available?
This Friday, 8/14.

Can you advise if 9th grade orientation will happen in some format?
Communication about the 9th Grade Orientation will be sent out shortly. 

Can you elaborate on plans with SATs for the senior class?
We will be offering the SATs to PAHS 12th grade students only on September 23rd. We apologize that this slide in the video says the 24th. We will be sending out a more detailed communication about this.

Can all Phoenixville schools coordinate to make lunch periods synchronized so that children in the same family can eat together? It would make it easier on parents as well.
The Middle School and the High School (6th – 12th grade) will be operating on the same schedule. We can discuss this possibility with the elementary principals. 

When will students have the opportunity to talk with teachers one-on-one?
Teachers will incorporate independent practice time into each class period so that students can ask individual questions when needed. Also, at least 2 days a cycle, teachers will be available from 11:25-12:00 for extra help. Students can always email their teachers through Canvas to ask questions or set up a time to get help. 

I saw in the schedule that there are mental health resources and activities. What are the resources and how do the kids obtain them?
We are working with the school counselors on this, so more information will be forthcoming. 

How or will students be getting textbooks, and what would that look like? 
Yes, students will be able to get textbooks. We are still finalizing the details of this plan, so communication will be forthcoming shortly. 

Will the information presented and the format it is presented in (for example power point, videos, etc) be uniform across all classes of the same subject or will it be teacher specific? 
All teachers within a subject matter will be presenting the same information; however, the method of delivery will vary based on teacher. 

If my child is not feeling well and cannot attend the zoom session that day, do we call the office / email to HS attendance that the student will be absent?
Yes, to report attendance, please call 484-927-5115 or email [email protected].

My child was supposed to take 2 keystone exams in the Spring. Are those waived or postponed? They were for classes she is no longer taking.
We are still waiting on guidance from the state regarding Keystone exams. Once we get clarification, we will send out a communication. 

Will there be a zoom type call for the students to inform them of the expectations and how this is going to look for them?
Yes, we are setting up Zoom class meetings with each grade to go over our expectations. We are looking to hold one meeting per grade level the week before school starts and another one the first day of school. 

Will teachers be required to use the Canvas Calendar?  This seemed to be a missing component last spring during the shutdown.
Yes, when teachers create assignments, they should be posted to the Canvas Calendar. 

How will you handle labs for Science courses?
While we are online, all labs will be done virtually either through online interactive lab tools or through demonstration by the teacher. 

Will there still be dual enrollment classes with Delco or Montco?
Yes, we will still be offering all of our dual enrollment courses. 

Will attendance be taken in study halls?
No, students will not have to check in to their study hall/lunch classes. 

How do we handle if our child has a doctor appointment during class time?
Please inform our attendance office and provide a doctor’s note. 

Will sports teams be able to practice together even though they cannot compete with other schools?
Yes. The plan right now is to continue with ‘Captains Practices’ so that we can continue to engage with our kids. 

I want to start a Pickle Ball club team this fall. How do I go about the process of creating a new club online.
Unfortunately, while we are virtual, we will not be starting any athletic based clubs. Once we are back in person and allowed to reconvene sports and activities as normal, please speak with Mr. Grinstead about starting a new club. 

Is there a supply list?
A general supply list will be posted on the high school’s website by next week. Teacher/class specific materials will be communicated to students on the first day of class. 

Has a criteria been set that will allow children to return to classroom?
We are following PDE guidance for reopening and will re-evaluate our situation the first week of October. 

Without fall sports, how will students receive their gym credit? 
We are looking into three options: either students will register for a gym class through PAHS, students can receive credit through Option 2 (more information about Option 2 can be found here), or students will be able to log their weekly physical activity for us to review for credit. Communication will be forthcoming about a final decision. 

Will school still start as planned on 8/24?  There was talk at the board meeting of pushing it back.
Yes, school will still start on 8/24 through a fully virtual model. 

How can parents check attendance for their kids?
Attendance for each period will still be taken through Skyward, so parents will have access to their child’s attendance as usual. 

Can you tell us if Senior Day celebrations honoring graduating seniors will be allowed?
At this time, any Senior Day celebration for the fall would have to be done virtually. We will look into holding some type of in person event when given approval to hold in person gatherings. 

My child’s computer doesn’t match the OS requirement. Do I need to purchase a new computer with the approved OS?
It will be important that your computer meets the minimum requirements that are listed on the district’s website. If you are in need of an up to date laptop, please contact our technology department by calling 484-927-5078. 

What will happen to the kids that need support learning English?
We are looking into allowing our Level 1 English Learners to come to school every day to receive the support they need to be successful. Our ELD teachers will also be recommending other students come into the building based on need. 

How are teachers expected to detect students who are suffering from something mentally and give them the help they need? 
Teachers, school counselors, and administrators will be reaching out directly to disengaged students to offer them extra support. We will still have our SAP program and our other support counselors will still be available to our students. School counselors will be doing check ins with their students as well. 

Will there be senior projects?
Yes, this year’s Junior class will still be required to complete their Career Exploration Project. If we are still in our current situation, students will be given the option to research a career online rather than shadow in person. 

Has the school consider using Microsoft Teams for virtual lessons? It's part of Office365, and it's more secure then Zoom.  
Teams does not offer breakout rooms, which is why we decided to continue to use Zoom. 

My son has a textbook.  Can I access the school to drop it off or wait for the bus system you mentioned?
Yes, you can bring your school issued items back to the high school and drop them off at the front lobby. Please make sure all items are labelled with your child’s name, class grade, and teacher. We will also be creating another schedule to allow for all materials to be brought back to school through a bus drop off system, which will be sent out shortly. 

How will chorus and band classes be handled?  How will gym requirements be handled?
All of these classes will still be running virtually, so students will still receive credit for these courses. 

How is JROTC going to be taught? Given that it’s a small program, can they be in person?
JROTC will be taught virtually. They will be able to occasionally meet in person for after school activities. 

Will the students be allowed to use any of the school rooms for studying, tutoring or the internet?  
Yes, but it will be on an administrative approval basis. Please contact us if you would like to access the school. 

Will students be allowed to get together with their teachers if their teacher is in school?
This will only occur with teacher and administrative approval. Again, please contact us if you would like us to consider this for your child. 

Will all teachers be teaching from the school or will some be at home?
Teachers will be teaching both from school and from their home. 

Some of the teachers had before and after-school hours of availability in the building.  Is there any way of providing something similar during this virtual-only time?
The time that teachers had before school last year will now take place from 11:25-12:00 during our virtual time. Students will have to work with their teachers to see if they are available to Zoom with them before or after the school day. 

Will you set up a Zoom specifically to address the many parent questions that came through?
Yes, we are planning on holding another parent Zoom meeting. 

Are we only doing online classes?
Yes, for the 1st marking period, all classes will take place online. We will re-evaluate the first week of October to determine if we can be back in the building for the 2nd marking period. 

What changed that we cannot go in every other day?
The school board voted on a fully virtual model rather than the hybrid option. 

I was told that my son’s guidance counselor was out on summer vacation until 8/18 and would respond then. Are all faculty/staff returning or being engaged earlier?
Yes, all teachers and support staff will be returning next week for professional development. 

I had heard districts were planning for a fall sports abbreviated schedule between winter and spring.  Is that being considered for Phoenixville as well?
Every school district is/has developing their own separate plan for fall sports per the guidance of the PIAA and the State. Our school board approved plan is to participate in non-contact sports right now which are: Tennis (singles only) and Girls & Boys golf. 

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