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Continuity of Learning in MCPS:
Getting Started

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Community Members,

On Monday, March 30, we are launching the first phase of our online learning plan. While our school buildings remain closed until April 24, our staff has been working hard for weeks to develop continuity of learning (remote/distance learning) plans that address the academic and non-academic needs of our students. 

Rolling out a remote learning plan in a system as large as MCPS will take coordination, collaboration, training and practice. Staff and students are being asked to teach and learn in new and unfamiliar ways. We must be patient with each other and understand that the system won’t be perfect and we will need to adjust as we go. 

During our first week of phase one (March 30-April 3) of remote learning, we will:

• Reconnect students and teachers
• Ensure students can engage in online lessons and practice interacting with online tools and submitting assignments
• Ensure staff receive the professional development needed to deliver a quality remote learning experience for students
• Help families establish home schedules that outline when a student will be engaged in lessons
• Work on assignments to close out Marking Period 3

It is important to note that remote learning plans are not meant to be an exact model of the typical school day when students are in our buildings. Our remote plan provides a good mix of teacher instruction and support; independent, age-appropriate, self-paced work; and submission of graded assignments. We need to provide both structure and flexibility for students, teachers and families. We will build upon this work in phases as we all—students, families and staff—become familiar with a new remote learning environment. 

What to Expect (For Parents and Guardians of Elementary Students)

On Monday, March 30, Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1, you and your child can:

• Explore online resources and tutorials on myMCPS Classroom and Google Classroom. These explorations can be done any time Monday, March 30, Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1. Links to these online resources and tutorials will be posted in the Parents and Student section of the Continuity of Learning website by the morning of Monday, March 30.
  
  

On Wednesday, April 1, your child will:

• Be contacted by their teacher with the time of their class meeting, which will be held on Thursday, April 2.

Beginning on Wednesday, April 1, and throughout the rest of the week, case managers and special education teachers will connect with their students. ESOL teachers, counselors, pupil personnel workers, paraeducators and other staff will also begin to connect with students and families.

On Thursday, April 2, your child will: 

• Attend their first virtual class meeting with their teacher. Their teacher will: 
• Set virtual rules and expectations 
• Establish routines
• Focus on students’ social-emotional learning

On Friday, April 3, your child will:

• Attend a class meeting with their teacher. Their teacher will: 
• Continue to focus on students’ social-emotional learning
• Share the format and expectations for mathematics instruction. Students will receive directions on completing the first math video lesson.

In this remote learning structure, daily learning will not be equivalent to a six-hour day. Students in Grades K-2 should complete approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of work per day. Students in Grades 3-5 should complete approximately 2.5 to 3 hours of work per day. This time is divided into three parts: viewing lessons, live time with the teacher and completing independent work.

As we begin, we will start with literacy, mathematics and specials, including art, music and physical education. Once we feel confident that our new learning system is working smoothly, we will add science content and then, social studies content.

Elementary Schools: Week 1 At A Glance

Timeline	Teacher Experience	Student Experience	Parent Experience
Day 1 (Monday)	Professional Development; Teachers go to schools to get technology, instructional materials; MP3 wrap up all week	Getting familiar with online learning platforms, activities
Day 2 (Tuesday)	Professional development and planning	Getting familiar with online learning platforms, activities
Day 3 (Wednesday)	Professional development and planning Teachers contact families to share  day and time of the virtual class meeting. Teachers will also inform families of their online meeting platform.	Expect contact from teacher Continue to explore online learning platforms
Day 4 (Thursday)	Live morning class meeting and social-emotional learning lesson Preview content for following week Professional development and planning		Virtual Class Meeting Receive a message from the teacher on steps for Friday
Day 5 (Friday)	Live class meeting to introduce Eureka Math lesson format and expectations Office hours Professional development and planning		Virtual Class Meeting Receive a message from the teacher on steps for Monday

What to Expect (For Parents and Guardians of Middle and High School Students)

During the first week, teachers will receive training on the technology platforms; plan with their teams; and check in with their students via email or other methods that their classes are accustomed to.

On Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31, you and your child can:

• Explore online resources and tutorials on myMCPS Classroom and Google Classroom. These explorations can be done any time throughout the week. Links to these online resources and tutorials will be posted in the Parents and Student section of the Continuity of Learning website by the morning of Monday, March 30. 

On Wednesday, April 1 and/or Thursday, April 2, your child will: 

• Be contacted by their teachers to begin discussion about remaining assignments for the third marking period and to schedule a time to connect virtually for the first “check-in” the following week.

Beginning on Wednesday, April 1, and throughout the rest of the week, case managers and special education teachers will connect with their students. ESOL teachers, counselors, pupil personnel workers, paraeducators and other staff will also begin to connect with students and families.

On Friday, April 3, your child will:

• Be able to contact their teachers as needed regarding third marking period assignments and prepare for the following week.

The third marking period will end on Friday, April 17. We will do everything in our power to ease the stress on students to successfully finish the third marking period in a fair, manageable way, and then transition to new content for the fourth marking period. We are committed to maximum flexibility and fairness in grading as students complete assignments for the third marking period.

Middle and High Schools: Week 1 At A Glance

Timeline	Teacher Experience	Student/Parent/Guardian Experience
Monday March 30 Tuesday March 31	Obtain technology and materials Reconnect with colleagues and plan with course-alike teams  Participate in professional development Plan for end of marking period 3 and reconnect with students	Explore videos and website tutorials posted on the Continuity of Learning webpage  Become familiar with online learning platforms Explore additional instructional resources available on the MCPS  Continuity of Learning webpage
Wednesday April 1 Thursday April 2	Ongoing professional development/planning Reconnect with students/parents through established channels, focusing on student well-being Preview assignments and learning experience for end of marking period 3 Set schedule for the following week for posting of content and check-in times  Ensure that all students have technology and are connected to platform	Expect contact from teacher  Understand what is upcoming for closure of marking period Understand schedule for the following week  Ensure that needed technology is in place and connected to platform Begin completing work for marking period 3 and schedule check in with teacher as needed
Friday April 3	Planning and preparation Office Hours	Contact teacher as needed Prepare for new routines and schedules for the following week

What to Expect (For Parents of Students in Special Schools)

If your child attends Longview, RICA, Stephen Knolls, Rock Terrace or Carl Sandburg Learning Center, please read this letter for additional details on what your child can expect the first week. Case managers and special education teachers will begin connecting with their students. Students receiving special education services at a special school will have a modified schedule and receive modified materials.

Supports for Special Education Students

Special education teachers and case managers will contact students on their caseloads to discuss the individualized supports and strategies necessary to access the continuity of learning plan and to implement the goals in the IEP. Please read this letter that was sent to parents and guardians of students with IEPs or Section 504 plans.

Supports for ESOL Students

ESOL teachers, counselors, pupil personnel workers, paraeducators and other staff will connect with students and families throughout the week.

CHECKLIST: Getting Your Child Ready for Online Learning

Here are steps you can take to help get your child ready for a successful remote learning experience:

• Technology & Access
• Ensure you know your child’s myMCPS and/or Google Classroom password. Details, instructions and answers to frequently asked questions about myMCPS  can be found here.
• Practice logging in to myMCPS or Google Classroom. 
• If your child lacks a laptop or internet access at home, contact the school to make pick-up arrangements to borrow a Chromebook before April 1.  
• Get Ready to Learn
• Review the recorded online tutorials with your child by April 1.
• Review the Week 1 (March 30-April 3) schedule with your child.
• Create an Optimal Work Environment
• Find a space in your home for your child to complete their work. It will be helpful if that space has minimal distractions.
• Establish Routine
• Routines are very important for children. Try to maintain a consistent schedule for your child to follow each day.  
• Know the designated times of learning opportunities and teacher office hours (when they are available), so that you can build your child’s work schedule around them.
• Understand How to Get Help
• Contact the school principal. If you need assistance in another language, please call AskMCPS at 240-740-3000. 
• Keep your child’s teachers’ contact information handy.

Looking Forward

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make this transition. Please note that the third marking period will end on Friday, April 17. We are very grateful to our staff as they are stepping up to this challenge as we face this global pandemic together. For ongoing updates on remote learning, please go to our Continuity of Learning webpage. 

Sincerely,

Jack R. Smith, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools