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Continuity of Learning

The guidance on this page was for teaching and learning during the spring of 2020. This page will be updated for important information related to virtual-only learning for Fall 2020 soon.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MSDE Recovery Plan

NEW: Maryland State Department of Education Recovery Plan - May 2020

 

College and Career Center-Information for the Class of 2021

Phase III of Online Learning (MAY 18—JUNE 15)

What to Expect:

Phase III of remote learning in MCPS will begin on Monday, May 18, and end on Monday, June 15. During this phase, lessons and instructional activities will continue to be delivered in both live and recorded formats, and teachers will continue with established schedules and processes for engaging students. Social-emotional learning opportunities will continue to be provided for staff and students. Teachers and schools will continue to use available calendar functions to help students stay organized with assignments and check-in schedules, and will make every effort to also provide this information to parents/guardians as they support learning at home. For Phase III highlights, see the May 17, 2020 Community Update.

Students will:

 
  • Connect with teachers daily and/or weekly; Parents, please review your child’s/childrens’ school-specific schedule(s).
  • Participate in live and pre-recorded classroom sessions
  • Receive and complete new assignments
  • Receive feedback from teachers
  • Attend regularly scheduled check-ins with teacher
  • Complete assignments
  • Contact teacher with questions about assignments
 

Parents will:

 
  • Review school-specific schedules and guidance from teachers
  • Review districtwide guidance on plans for grading
  • Review MCPS weekly community messages
  • Support your child(ren) with checking and submitting assignments
  • Contact your child’s/childrens’ school(s) if you have questions
 

Staff will:

 
  • Connect with students daily through check-ins and/or classroom session
  • Deliver instruction through live and/or prerecorded classroom sessions
  • Provide individual or group feedback on assignments
 
Continuity of Learning

Remote Learning Overview

It is important to note that online learning plans do not follow the same structure as a typical instructional day in a school building. Our model provides a blend of:

  • Direct instruction
  • Independent work for students to complete at a pace that works for them
  • Live teacher support
  • Submission of assignments
  • Remote learning provides both structure and flexibility for students, teachers and families.

Learn more and see overview by grade level

Additional Resources

Audience Subject Area Name of Resource Description of Resource
Students Homework Resource MCPS Homework Resource website A long list of external resources to assist with homework and other interesting resources to visit.
Students Literacy / Reading / Dual language Storyline Online Streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
Students Parents Teachers Literacy / Reading / Dual language Montgomery County Public Libraries MCPL is introducing the new Digital Library Card. Get access to digital services and streaming content and even put holds on physical materials!
Students Parents Teachers Literacy / Reading / Dual language Audible Kids can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on a desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
Students Arts, Music & Culture Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems Drawing and writing
Parents Students Online Resources PBS Kids Explore fun and educational activities for the whole family
Students Parents Online Resources Scholastic Learn at Home Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing.
Students Parents Online Resources Virtual Story Time Daily Storytime Sessions with Councilmember Will Jawando
Students Arts, Music & Culture Google Arts & Culture Learn something new every day. Features content curated by experts
Students Online Resources Code.org Coding with Star Wars
Students Online Resources Khan Academy Practice content learning skills and processes (e.g., Science, Social Studies, Math aligned to Eureka Math and Illustrative Math)
Students Science and Nature NASA NASA image and video library – free, free to download and free from copyright
Parents Parenting and Media Common Sense Media Explaining the news to kids
Parents Parent Resources Common Sense Media Help Your Family De-Stress
Parents Students Science and Nature San Diego Zoo The San Diego Zoo has a website just for kids with amazing videos, activities, and games.
Students Parents Science and Nature National Geographic Kids Geography and animals
Parents Students Science and Nature Smithsonian Ocean Life - Illustrated modules
Students Brain Breaks Fluency and Fitness Educational brain breaks to help students review literacy and math skills, while getting in some exercise. Find hundreds of videos to help your child keep learning at home and burn off some extra energy. Best for ages 4-8.
Students Arts, Music and Culture The Well Mindful poetry moments

Grading and Reporting

For the 4th Marking Period, we have determined that a traditional grading system based on percentages and letter grades will not serve the best interests of all students during this period of online learning. We want to ensure that our grading system has a positive impact and can only help our students’ academic standing.

We believe the following strategies will let us know if students are learning, without penalizing them for the impact the pandemic may be having on their families.

On May 12, 2020, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to suspend its current grading policy and replace it with a temporary grading system for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Secondary Students

For middle and high school students, MCPS will continue to use a Pass/Incomplete grading system based on established criteria. This will:

  • Ensure fairness and equity for all students
  • Engage students in the curriculum
  • Provide meaningful feedback
  • Track students’ progress

Elementary Students

Letter grades will not be assigned for the 4th Marking Period. The emphasis will be on:

  • Providing students with the opportunity to engage in a variety of learning experiences
  • Following up with students and their parents/guardians in identified areas of concern
  • Engaging students in academic and social-emotional work
  • Providing teachers with information so that when students return to school, they will know which skills to work on, and how to engage them in learning at the next grade level

What to Expect

For Parents and Guardians of:

Elementary School Students

Middle and High School Students

Looking Forward

All Maryland public schools are closed until May 15. We are in this together, and are moving forward with the best of intentions to do what is best for our students.

For Parents and Students

Icon - Remote Learning

Remote Learning

 

Overview

 

Introduction

 
Icon - myMCPS  

myMCPS

 

Overview

 
 

myMCPS Resources

 
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Tips

 

8 tips for parents whose children are now learning at home because of Coronavirus

  • 1. Getting Started: Read the guidance sent to you and your child from school
  • 2. Limit distraction
  • 3. Make space for learning
  • 4. Maintain breaks such as snack time and recess
  • 5. Keep in touch with other parents, engage with teachers and ask questions of your school
  • 6. Establish a schedule
  • 7. Don’t let your children treat this as a vacation
  • 8. Remember to schedule time for fun
 
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Resources

 
 
tv

MCPS Videos for Students and Families

MCPS WayMaking TV Series

MCPS has launched a new video series, Waymaking, which highlights mental health and well-being resources for staff and students as families adapt to the evolving changes in daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The show is being hosted Dr. Christina Conolly, director of psychological services for MCPS.

See the entire series on YouTube (and don't forget to subscribe to MCPS-TV)