Distance Learning For All at SCS
District Learning for All was launched on April 13th with a focus on care, community and continuity of learning. Each teacher will do things a little differently, but we will have a combination of live video, independent projects and supplemental resources for practice. Primarily, we will be using Google Hangouts or Zoom for live meetings. Google Classroom will be used for grades 1st through 8th, with Kindergarten using Seesaw.
Our goal at SCS is to create the best educational experience we can, given these circumstances. We have gone through many different scenarios about how to deliver our curriculum and understand that it is best to have a blended guided and self-paced plan appropriate for every grade level.
While distance learning may appear less formal than traditional learning, the expectations are the same for students and families. Continue to practice H.E.A.R.T. skills while interacting with others and maintain the high standards of an SCS student. It is expected that all students will engage in distance learning each week.
Resources, Help and Support
SCS teachers and staff are working at home with limited resources. The office is monitoring emails and phone messages, however due to the high volume of questions, please expect some delay in response time.
SCS Office Email: office@sherwoodcharterschool.org
SCS Phone: 503-925-8007 (leave a message and office will follow up by email)
Teachers have established individual “office hours” where they can be available to families for assistance. You can view each teacher’s hours in the Daily Schedule provided below. Please be respectful and use those designated times to contact your student’s teachers and assist your students to do the same.
Each teacher will structure their daily classroom to best serve their students. You can find an overview of the daily schedules for each class below, but please keep in mind schedules may change. You will also find a list of programs used by each class, with how to find login information when possible.
Need login help?
Your student’s login information was provided by their teacher. Please contact them if you need help. If you have forgotten the password, please email the office.
If you will be signing into Google Classrooms for the first time and need assistance, Google has instructions here. To login to an SCS chromebook, you will use the same login information provided by your teacher.
Google Classroom For Parents
The Oregon Department of Education has put together a nice overview of Google Classroom, you can view it here.
Google Classroom Help Center
To access your student’s Google Classrooms, students must be logged into their Google Account (login information provided by their teacher).
The Google Classroom Help page is available here
Seesaw Help Center
For Seesaw help, see their Help Center here.
Google Chromebook Troubleshooting
For general Chromebook issues, see the Google help page here.
If you are having issues accessing the live sessions (i.e. on Zoom or Google Meet), try clearing your cookies and double checking the website is allowed (see here for instructions for a Chromebook).
If videos or the live sessions are not loading or are loading slowly, there are a couple of things you can try:
- First, try rebooting your Chromebook: Push and hold the power button, then select “Reboot” from the 3 options listed.
- Double check your internet connection: Try turning off the internet connection then reconnecting. See Google’s connection errors help page here.
- Minimize the number of tabs you have open when watching videos or joining live chats.
- Try turning off Google Drive background sync: Look for the icon that looks like a cog (gear) at the top right, then click Settings. Once you open the Settings section, uncheck the box for “Sync Google Docs, Sheets, Slides & Drawings files to this computer so that you can edit offline”.
If you still have issues, please contact the office by email.
Email Notifications: To turn off email notifications or customize your notifications from your student’s Google Classrooms, follow the steps found here.
Missing Work and Assignment List: In your child’s Google Classroom, you can view a list of all upcoming assignments in the To-Do section. Sign in using your student’s account, then go to classroom.google.com. Click on the user left menu (three lines in the left corner of the page), then select “To-Do“.
You can also view a calendar version by clicking on the “Calendar” option in the same menu.
- Middle School Distance Learning for All Overview: https://youtu.be/l-sM0ma6XWQ
- How to complete an assignment and create your own document in google classroom: https://youtu.be/qUUjjIbmVjs
- Teacher created document for you: https://youtu.be/zdSAFw3mblQ
Our special education services will continue to be provided by the Sherwood School District. They have provided the following information:
Special education services will, to the extent practical, focus on delivering services to support progress towards IEP goals, in conjunction with the general education curriculum. Learning specialists will collaborate with general education teachers to facilitate and develop specially designed instruction and to ensure that the general education curriculum is accessible.
For the majority of students with disabilities, the IEP can be implemented without the need for significant amendments, but with consideration of the Distance Learning setting and parent input. In the coming weeks, special education case managers will be connecting with all families of students in special education regarding individualized needs and services within the Distance Learning model. Specially designed instruction may look significantly different in the online format; however, the focus will remain on progress toward meeting IEP goals. For students with complex needs, an IEP team may need to make individualized decisions regarding changes to the IEP.
IEP and Eligibility Meetings:
- Case managers will reschedule any missed IEP meetings
- Case managers will conduct any already scheduled meetings
- Case managers will reach out to schedule meetings or discuss any future IEP/eligibility meetings
- All meetings must take place virtually via Google Hangouts or phone due to social distancing guidelines
If you are in need of emotional support, our school counselor Kaylie Buchanan is available. Please email or call to set up an appointment, or view Mrs. Buchanan’s Counselor Corner Google Classroom (accessible through your student’s Google Classroom account).
- Kaylie Buchanan Email: kbuchanan@sherwoodcharterschool.org
- Google voice phone number: (503) 610-8890
Additionally, the Oregon Department of Education has also compiled a list of mental health service resources here.
If you’re needing supplemental services of food assistance and/or child care, the Sherwood School District has resources that can be found here.
National Internet Service Providers
- Comcast is providing internet service for $9.95 per month to low-income families in their service area through their Internet Essentials program.
- Xfinity hotspots are currently available to anyone who needs them for free. Visit Xfinity for a map of available hotspots.
- AT&T is providing internet service for $10 per month to families who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the National School Lunch Program through their Access from AT&T program. For additional information please see their COVID-19 Response.
- Spectrum offers their Internet Assist program to provide low-cost internet service to qualifying families. Additionally, Spectrum is opening their wifi hotspots for public access.
Included here are a variety of free websites that can supplement learning. We will be updating this list with new resources frequently. Teachers will also send grade specific resources to you directly.
- BrainPop: brainpop.com
- Khan Academy: khanacademy.org
- IXL Math: ixl.com
- Scholastic: classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
- List of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions: http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com
- Mad Science at Home Experiments: https://www.madsciencepromo.com/athomeexperiments
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/for-educators/learning-at-home/
- Singapore Math: https://www.singaporemath.com/at-home-learning