Collegewood Chronicles
Developing Minds Nurturing Hearts- May 4, 2020
A Note From Dr. Wendland
Thank you so much for completing the surveys in last week's edition of Collegewood Chronicles. We believe that teaching is personal and best done when our students are on campus and in our presence. We could not be doing the work we are currently doing without the help, support, and encouragement from all of you. We are getting better at this each day with your feedback leading the way. I have responded to some common topics that came from the surveys below. However, if you have any questions, concerns, frustrations, or feedback, please do not hesitate to email me directly @ mwendland@wvusd.k12.ca.us
This week we will be celebrating our entire staff with a schoolwide Staff Appreciation Week. I have been in education for nineteen years and I have worked with many teams. It is my honor to work with this particular team who truly believe that it is a gift to work with your children and who work diligently to grow, learn and provide an education to your child of the highest caliber. We miss having you and your children on campus and we are eager to return to school as soon as we can.
On behalf of our entire school team, thank you for your patience, grace, and the endless support you provide to your children. It is our joy to be in the presence of your children!
Be safe and Be well,
Dr. Wendland
5th Grade Recognition!
Summer Learning Opportunities!
Walnut Valley Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization approved by the district to provide summer school. This summer school costs $540 and it is open to ALL students entering first through fifth grade. This program will provide small class sizes (15 students per class) taught by a credentialed teacher. Instruction will be June 8th-July 16th Monday -Thursday from 8:30-12:15 and it will be LIVE teaching through online platforms. This program will also provide students with daily small group instruction. The emphasis will be on Reading, Writing and Math. More information can be found HERE
Survey Feedback From Collegewood Families
POSITIVES:
- Teachers have created organized ways to access instruction.
- We love the teacher videos
- Live teaching sessions are great and the teacher is responsive
- Enjoy the access to the online Library (Epic) program and other online resources
- Teachers have been incredibly responsive
- Teachers have office hours and are there to answer questions and help students
- Teachers are encouraging and cheering on our children to do their best and participate
- Teachers are meeting with just a few kids at a time to make sure they are understanding and still learning how to read and do math
- Students are getting intervention
- The communication has been clear
Common Themes Across Surveys
- Time Management: Many families are feeling the crunch as they try to figure out the numerous class meetings, schedules, and assignment due dates. My own family found it helpful to create a family calendar for the week where we write down meetings, tasks, and assignments for each day. We recognize that some students may not be able to join all of the live teaching times. While we prefer to have them present so that we can provide meaningful instruction if you are struggling to make this happen, reach out to your child's teacher so that he or she can work with you to determine how to manage this.
- Will my child be prepared to move to the next grade: As a parent, I share this concern with many of you. We have to remember that our nation is in crisis, this learning is not typical and certainly not a replacement for the dynamic instruction we provide on campus. Your child is no further behind than his or her peers. Our school district is already planning the many ways we will help our students continue moving forward in their learning in the present and the future. For this reason, it is crucial that your child attends. This phase of learning IS NOT OPTIONAL. Our teachers have worked to determine the most important standards students must know to move to the next grade and they are focusing on instruction and feedback there. If your child is missing live sessions and/or not completing work, he or she will not be accessing the same learning as peers.
- Sometimes technology fails or has glitches: There are many causes for technology issues. Sometimes, having too many people online in one home can cause the internet to go slowly which affects live sessions and the loading of webpages. To remedy this, take deep breaths, stagger online usage as much as possible, and be assured that it will be temporary. Sometimes the issue is bigger than that- you can email the district help desk at wvhelp@wvusd.org Teachers can help to make sure your child has access to online platforms, but any technical issues related to the device, internet, or unknown cause, are best handled by the experts.
- Grading: The focus right now is on the journey of learning. Teachers are collecting informal assessments, anecdotal notes, and student work to help us determine class placement for next year and plan any supports that may be needed to help our students learn. The purpose of learning is never the final grade, but rather, always the growth of thinking, skill, and application.
- Submitting Work: SOme students believe they have submitted work, but it does not show as submitted in the grade book. Provide time for your child to watch the video HERE to make sure they are submitting work correctly and getting credit for their work. If there continues to be an issue, reach out to your child's teacher for additional help.
Most of the surveys indicated that your child has found a rhythm and schedule that works for them. The health and well-being of you and your family are of the utmost importance. If your child is struggling for any reason, please reach out to his or her teacher so that we can explore different ways to provide support.
Counselor's Corner With Ms. Robledo
- CLICK HERE for additional resources from Ms. Robledo
- CLICK HERE to learn some strategies to use at home with your children for social and emotional well-being
- CLICK HERE for an idea on how to help your child recognize feelings
School Information
- Yearbooks: Our amazing Community Club has arranged to extend the sale of yearbooks until June 29th. Please click HERE to purchase your yearbook. We plan to be able to distribute yearbooks in August.
- Spring Pictures: An email was sent regarding spring pictures. Your Spring and Promotion pictures are ready. They will be delivered to the school once the Governor's order to stay home is lifted. If you would like your picture packages before then, you can call School Portraits by Adams Photography directly. You can arrange for your pictures to be mailed directly to your home for a $6.00 shipping fee. Once the ban on non-essential travel is lifted and the company re-opens, you may also arrange to pick your pictures up from their office located in Chino, CA. Their temporary business hours are 8:30 am-12:30 pm Monday-Friday. If you have any questions, please call 909-606-5118.
- Picking up personal belongings from school: Many of our students left lunchboxes, jackets, and pencil boxes in their classrooms. Once it is safe to open the campus to large groups and we are allowed to do so, we will share a schedule and plan that will allow you to bring your child to campus to retrieve their things. Items have been removed from classrooms and the school is secure. Thank you for your patience.
All About Collegewood
Email: mwendland@wvusd.k12.ca.us
Website: collegewood.org
Location: 20725 Collegewood Drive, Walnut, CA, USA
Phone: (909) 598-5308
Twitter: @collegewood_el