Letters to Parents (Updated 6/9/20)

Updated 6/9/20

June 9, 2020

Dear Parents,

First, let me thank you for your support and understanding as we, as a nation and community, responded to the unexpected invasion of COVID-19 in March. I am very proud of the way our RCSD students, parents, employees, and community leaders handled the demands we were faced with to protect everyone as we continued to educate and feed our students during the most unusual of circumstances. As you know, there continues to be concerns and questions related to how schools plan to reopen in August 2020. While we are in the business of educating, our first priority is the safety of our students and our employees. Be assured, we have been working diligently on our RCSD 2020- 2021 Smart Restart Plans. Due to all the factors and information needed to plan as COVID-19 issues unfold, the comprehensive Smart Restart Plan will be released on or before Friday, July 17. Our desire is to return to school as normal (traditional) with enhanced safety and cleaning procedures. However, we must be proactive and be prepared during these ever-changing times to continue educating our students if and when circumstances change, as predicted, throughout the year related to the health and safety of our students and employees.

We are gathering input from parents, employees, community stakeholders, administrators, state leaders, the Mississippi Department of Education, and medical professionals via surveys, committees, and a task force. Administrators and department leaders have been planning for increased safety procedures that can be taken at every location. We are working on three scenarios:

1. Enhanced Traditional Plan- We would continue school as normal with enhanced safety precautions in place such as increased hand sanitizer availability, increased frequency of cleaning of high touch areas, limited visitation to campuses, etc., in order to possibly prevent the transition to a hybrid or full distance learning option. (Again, this is our plan for August pending more restrictive guidance from the Governor.)

2. Social Distancing/Hybrid Plan- Hybrid would be a combination of distance and face-to-face instruction with increased safety and disinfecting measures as listed above, which could be done in a variety of configurations. This would only be enacted if the Governor’s Executive Order required us to maintain a social distance (six feet), to limit the number of people in groups, etc.

3. Full Distance Learning Plan- All students would participate in the learning of new material, continued standard pacing, interactive lessons, graded assignments, and assessments. This would be enacted if the Governor’s Executive Order closed schools again due to health concerns. (If we have outbreaks of COVID-19 in specific schools, we may enact individual school closures instead of district-wide closures.)

I encourage our parents to frequently visit our webpage and follow our social media for up to date and accurate information. There are many false rumors being disseminated which leads to unnecessary confusion. Everyone must understand there is no way for us to please all as we make these decisions. Our priority is to keep everyone safe while not making life more difficult for our parents. Each family situation is uniquely different. We fully understand your varied concerns about health and safety, distance learning, the importance of face-to-face instruction, parents needing to work, the economy, and all of the other unexpected consequences of not being in school or being in school in a traditional method. If for some reason, we can’t be in a traditional school situation, our goal is to find the best way to have our students safely in our buildings as frequently as possible to ensure the health and well-being of all.

***As we move forward, we are also taking into consideration that we have medically compromised students. Parents of students with a higher risk of severe illness can contact their school administration, if needed, before the Smart Restart plan is released. In July, school administrators will finalize plans with parents regarding their academic needs for the upcoming school year.

As we continue the RCSD 2020-2021 Smart Restart planning process, we will keep you updated. Thank you for your continued support and positivity as we strive to do what is best for ALL of our students and employees during these challenging times.

Serving you,

Sue Townsend, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Education
Rankin County School District

Updated 4/9/20

2019-2020 School Closures Related to COVID-19 Accreditation/Board Policy Suspensions and Revisions

Grading and Promotion Procedures for Distance Learning

April 8, 2020

Dear RCSD Parent/Guardian,

First, let me say I hope you and your family are safe and healthy as you read this letter.  Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we have been adjusting, like you, to the drastic changes in life during the last few weeks. I am extremely appreciative of our students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators for their positivity, flexibility and resilience during these trying times. A huge debt of gratitude also goes to all of our doctors, nurses, hospital employees, first responders, and our state leaders for all they are doing to keep us safe and healthy.  

As you know, distance learning for the Rankin County School District is in full motion. Our goal is to provide continuous educational opportunities and practice for students while schools are closed but also to eliminate as much stress as feasibly possible for students, parents, and teachers. While it is our responsibility to continue to educate our children, we also want to compassionately take into consideration the variety of difficulties that our families and employees are enduring during this time. 

The following information will provide answers to your questions related to Distance Learning grading and promotion during the COVID-19 Pandemic school closure until April 17, 2020 enacted by Governor Tate Reeves. Hopefully, we will know by next Tuesday, April 14, 2020, when or if we will resume school as normal during the 2019-2020 school year. On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, the RCSD Board of Trustees approved the RCSD 2019-2020 School Closures Related to COVID-19 Accreditation/Board Policy Suspensions and Revisions, which include the grading and promotion procedures found below.

In closing, one of our main focus points for our educators and students during the 2019-2020 school year has been having a “growth mindset.” A growth mindset unlocks our ability to learn and grow especially during challenging times. Little did we know how important this growth mindset would be for all of us this year! Because of this experience and our growth mindset, I believe we all will be stronger when we come out on the other side of the COVID-19 Pandemic! History is being written! We hold the pen! Together, we will write the BEST story for our children! 

Please contact your teacher/s or administrators if you or your students need support.

Stay strong! Stay healthy!

Serving you,

 

Sue Townsend, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Education

Rankin County School District

 

RCSD Elementary Grading and Promotion Procedures for Distance Learning

• The purpose of both the online and technology-free assignments is to provide continuous educational opportunities and practice for students while schools are closed. 
• During the school closure, teachers will provide distance learning assignments created by the Elementary Curriculum Department and/or teachers through both online and technology-free access. 
• Lessons will be assigned weekly. Lessons will be provided through Google Classroom and/or Zoom for those with technology access. Technology-free alternative lessons/assignments will be available through each school site with telephone support from the teacher as needed. 
• Assignments will not reflect negatively on the student’s academic record but can improve your yearly average.
• Students can earn up to 10 points to be added to their yearly average by completing the distance learning assignments. (See Elementary Grading Procedures chart below.)
• A Zoom Parent/Guardian Consent and Release for Video/Audio Conferencing during COVID-19 School Closure Form will be sent to each parent via technology or paper copy to be signed before a student can participate in a video/audio instruction.
• Online assignments will be monitored and recorded weekly. Timely feedback should be given on any assignment completed, but grades will not be assigned or recorded.  COMPLETE or INCOMPLETE will be assigned.
• Students will be provided ample time to complete assignments. 
• All technology free assignments (paper copies) will be collected when students return and checked for completion. Again, please keep all completed assignments to be turned in when school resumes or on a date designated by the principal.
• Completion of distance learning assignments in Grades K-2 will be used as evidence to support promotion or retention.
• Completion of distance learning assignments in Grades 3-6 will provide students with the opportunity to earn up to 10 points to be added to the yearly average for the 2019-2020 academic year. (See Elementary Grading Procedures chart below.)

Elementary Grading Procedures

		Kindergarten	1st & 2nd Grade	3rd Grade	Grades 4-6
Q3                                                  (Jan. 7, 2020-                           Mar. 6, 2020)		Since we did not return to school after Spring Break and transitioned to distance       learning, any missing assignments or assessments from 3rd Quarter were excused   before calculating the Q3 average.
Q4 - 4th Nine Weeks Grade Calculation	ELA	Q3 standards   based grade = Q4     grade	Q3 standards based   grade  = Q4 grade	S1 X .67  + Q3 X .33   Q4 Grade	S1 X .67  + Q3 X .33   Q4 Grade
	Reading   Proficiency	N/A	Q3 RL = Q4 RL	STATE Testing   Exemption	N/A
	MATH	Q3 standards   based grade = Q4     grade	Q3 standards based   grade  = Q4 grade	S1 X .67  + Q3 X .33   Q4 Grade	S1 X .67   + Q3 X .33   Q4 Grade
	Science and Social Studies	N/A  N/A	N/A  N/A	Q3 standards based   grade = Q4 grade	S1 X .67   + Q3 X .33   Q4 Grade
	Electives	Enter “S” for all	Enter “S” for all	Enter “S” for all	Enter “S” for all
S2 - Semester 2 Grade Calculation	ELA	N/A	N/A	Q3  + Q4      Total/2 = Sem 2	Q3   + Q4       Total/2 = Sem 2
	MATH	N/A	N/A	Q3  + Q4      Total/2 = Sem 2	Q3  + Q4      Total/2 = Sem 2
	Reading Proficiency	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
	Science   and Social   Studies	N/A	N/A	Q3  + Q4      Total/2 = Sem 2 Standards Based Grade	Q3  + Q4      Total/2 = Sem 2
End of Year Grade	ELA	Q4 standards based grade + distance learning assignments used as evidence to support promotion or retention	Q4 standards based grade + distance learning assignments used as evidence to support promotion or retention	S1 +  S2  Total/2 = **Minimum End of Year Grade	S1 +  S2  Total/2 = **Minimum End of Year Grade
	Reading   Proficiency	N/A	Q4 RL +  distance learning assignments used as evidence to support promotion or retention	STATE Testing   Exemption	N/A
	MATH	Q4 standards based grade + distance learning assignments used as evidence to support promotion or retention	Q4 standards based grade + distance learning assignments used as evidence to support promotion or retention	S1 +  S2  Total/2 = **Minimum End of Year Grade	S1 +  S2  Total/2 = **Minimum End of Year Grade
	Science   and Social   Studies	N/A  N/A	N/A  N/A	S1                                           +  S2                             Total/2 =             **FINAL End of Year Grade Standards Based	S1                                           +  S2                             Total/2 =             **FINAL End of Year Grade
	Electives	Enter “S” for all	Enter “S” for all	Enter “S” for all	Enter “S” for all
** Points that can be added to FINAL End of Year for completed Distance Learning Assignments Completion (Numerical Grades ONLY)				**Students automatically get 4 points for Weeks 1-4 added to their FINAL End of the Year Numerical Grade for ELA and Math.  Week 1 (March 16 – 20) = 1 pt                      Week 2 (March 23 – 27) = 1 pt                      Week 3 (March 30 – Apr 3) = 1 pt                     Week 4 (April 6 - April 9) = 1 pt Students have the opportunity to earn an additional 6 points to add to their FINAL End of the Year Numerical Grades for ELA and Math. Weekly points can be earned during distance learning/school closure by Completing and  Submitting  assignments  to the teacher.  A student can submit assignments through Google Classroom, completing through i-Ready online, emailing completed assignments to the teacher, taking a picture of completed assignments and texting or emailing to the teacher, or turning in completed paper copies at a designated location and time set by each school principal. Teachers WILL continue to provide feedback on all completed/submitted assignments. Week 5 (April 14 - April 17) = 1 pt                     Week 6 (April 20 - April 24) = 1 pt                Week 7 (April 27 - May 1) = 1 pt                     Week 8 (May 4 - May 8) = 1 pt                      Week 9 (May 11 - May 15) = 1 pt                     Week 10 (May 18 - 22) = 1 pt

 



Elementary Promotion/Retention Guidelines

• The RCSD Guidance for Elementary Retention 2019-2020 and the Parent/Teacher/Administrator Consent Form will be provided to aid in the determination of promotion or retention for the 2019-2020 school year. (see chart below)
• Meetings with the parents to discuss promotion/retention should occur between May 4, 2020 and May 21, 2020.
• Note: Special Education Students: Promotion and grading should be the same for special education students as for general education students, given that accommodations and modifications have been provided for graded assignments during school closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  If accommodations and modifications cannot be provided, grading and promotion should be determined on an individual basis at the local school level. 
• Note: EL Students: Students who have not reached proficiency (Level 4 or Level 5) on the English language proficiency test will not be retained, as per MDE guidelines.

Elementary Promotion and Retention Procedures

Kindergarten	Students in Kindergarten will be promoted to the next grade level if they have attained 70% mastery of the standards (denoted by an S or N) in English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math for the year.  Students mastering less than 70% of the standards will be retained if a consensus between the parent/guardian/teacher/administration is met.   The Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (post-test) will not be administered. The English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) will not be administered.
1st and 2nd   Grades	Students in 1st and 2nd grades will be promoted to the next grade level if they have attained 70% mastery of the standards (denoted by an S or N) in English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math for the year.  The minimum reading level of an I for 1st grade and an M for 2nd grade will not be considered for promotion or retention. Students mastering less than 70% of the standards in English/Language Arts or Math will be retained if a consensus between the parent/guardian/teacher/administration is met. The i-Ready Universal Screener (post-test) will not be administered. The English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) will not be administered.
3rd Grade  4th Grade  5th Grade  6th Grade (on   elementary   campuses)	Students in grades 3rd - 6th with a yearly average of 60 or higher in English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math will be promoted to the next grade level  Students in grades 3rd - 6th with a yearly average of 59 or lower in English/Language Arts (ELA) or Math will be retained if a consensus between the parent/guardian/teacher/administration is met. Science and Social Studies yearly averages will not be considered for promotion or retention for 4th-6th grades for the 2019-20 school year. (Exception to Policy IHE) The Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP), MAAP Alternate Assessment, MAAP 3rd Grade Gate and the MAAP Science Test will not be administered. The English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) will not be administered.

 

 



RCSD Secondary Grading and Promotion Procedures for Distance Learning

• The purpose of both the online and technology-free assignments is to provide continuous educational opportunities and practice for students while schools are closed. 
• During the school closure, teachers will provide distance learning assignments created by the teachers and/or the Secondary Curriculum Department through both online and technology free access. 
• Lessons will be assigned weekly. Lessons will be provided through Canvas and/or Zoom for those with technology access or technology-free alternative lessons/assignments will be available through each school site with telephone support from teacher as needed. 
• Assignments will not reflect negatively on the student’s academic record but can improve your yearly average.
• Students can earn up to 10 points to be added to their yearly average by completing the distance learning assignments. (See Secondary Grading Procedures chart below.)
• A Zoom Parent/Guardian Consent and Release for Video/Audio Conferencing during COVID-19 School Closure Form will be sent to each parent via technology or paper copy to be signed before a student can participate in video/audio instruction.
• Online assignments will be monitored and recorded weekly. Timely feedback should be given on any assignment completed, but grades will not be assigned or recorded. We will assign COMPLETE or INCOMPLETE.
• Students will be provided ample time to complete assignments. 
• All technology free assignments (paper copies) will be collected when students return and checked for completion. Again, please keep all completed assignments to be turned in when school resumes or on a date designated by the principal.
• Credit will be given for the assignments completed.
  • PowerSchool- shows COLLECTED (NO assigned numerical grades at this time)
  • Canvas - shows COMPLETED (NO assigned numerical grades at this time)
• An “Incomplete” will be given for those assignments NOT completed until school resumes. 
• Feedback will be provided as appropriate to let the student know the assignment has been received and to help students focus on what they are doing well and what they can improve on. 
• The EXCEPTION is Dual Credit courses.  Follow direction from Hinds Community College. 

 



Secondary Grading Procedures

Q4 - 4th Nine Weeks  Grade Calculation	S1 x .67                                                                                                                                        +  Q3 x .33                                                                                                                                           4th Nine Weeks Grade
S2 - Semester 2          Grade Calculation	Q3                                                                                                                                                    + Q4.                                                                                                                                               Divided by 2 = Semester 2 Grade                                                                         (ALL students exempt from S2 exam)
Semester 2             0.5 Courses ONLY	Q3 grade should also be entered for Q4 in PowerSchool which will   be the   FINAL Grade  (ALL students exempt from S2 exam.)
End of Year Grade	S1                                                                                                                                                    + S2                                                                                                                                                     Divided by 2 = FINAL End of Year Grade
Distance Learning   Points that can be   added to FINAL End of   Year Grade	Students automatically get 4 points for Weeks 1 - 4 added to their FINAL End of the Year Grade. Seniors and Dual Credit students will receive 7 points due to class ending earlier.    Week 1 (March 16 – 20) = 1 point                                                                                                                               Week 2 (March 23 – 27) = 1 point                                                                                                                             Week 3 (March 30 – April 3) = 1 point                                                                                                                     Week 4 (April 6 - April 10)  = 1 point Students can earn an additional 6 points to their FINAL End of the Year Grades.  Weekly points will be earned by COMPLETING and SUBMITTING assignments to the teacher.  Teachers WILL continue to provide feedback on all completed/submitted assignments. ● Week 5 (April 13 - April 17) - Students submit COMPLETED assigned work = 1 point ● Week 6 (April 20 - April 24) - Students submit COMPLETED assigned work = 1 point ● Week 7 (April 27 - May 1) - Students submit COMPLETED assigned work = 1 point ● Week 8 (May 4 - May 8) - Students submit COMPLETED assigned work = 1 point ● Week 9 (May 11 - May 15) - Students submit COMPLETED assigned work = 1 point ● Week 10 (May 18 - 22) - Students submit COMPLETED assigned work = 1 point All failures will be evaluated individually by the principal before finalizing End of the Year Grades.

 

Secondary Promotion and Retention Procedures 

6th (BMS & FMS) -   8th Grade Non-Carnegie Unit Courses	Scores of 60 or more in math and English/Language Arts again will promote them to the next grade.
7th - 12th Grade Carnegie Unit Courses	Scores of 60 or more in Carnegie Unit courses will earn the Carnegie Unit.
Algebra I, Biology I, English II, and U.S. History students	Algebra I, Biology I, English II, and U.S. History end-of-course assessments will not be given. If a student in those courses passes the course, they won't have to pass the assessment for graduation. If a student has passed the course but not the assessment, they won't have to pass the assessment in order to graduate.

 

NOTE - Dual Credit courses will follow the requirements set by Hinds Community College.  

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March 22, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Let me begin by saying how much we miss all of our 19,500 students. We are concerned for our students’ health and well-being, as well as their families. Although none of us have experienced a pandemic before, the Rankin County family of students, parents, educators, county and community leaders, and all other stakeholders has quickly risen to the occasion, as usual! We would like to thank everyone for your kindness and support, especially our health professionals, truck drivers, grocery store employees, first responders and all other essential operations personnel. 

As you know, the Rankin County School District motto is “Great to BEST”.  BEST stands for- bringing everyone’s strengths together! That is just what we are doing from afar in order to serve our most important assets- your children! The next few weeks will not be easy. There will be mistakes, problems, and concerns along the way. However, there will be more successes, happiness, hope, laughter, fun, and purpose! We understand many of you are still working and have several children to help, financial concerns, health issues, etc.  We are here to patiently support our students and you throughout this challenging time.  Please do not stress over the school work via distance learning or printed packets. Frustrations are high due to our circumstances and we don’t want to increase the stress on our families. We are going to do our best to provide schoolwork to keep our students' minds moving forward. But you are the parents and they are with you, so you have control to adjust as needed for your child/children.  Again, contact your teacher via email or call the school number and leave a message, if you need help. We also ask for your patience and understanding as we travel this new territory, too. Our teachers and other employees are working long hours from home while dealing with their new, but temporary, normal. 

On another note, there are many questions about how extended school closures will affect school life like grades, promotion, graduations and so much more. The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) will evaluate policies and procedures and will make recommendations to the State Board of Education (SBE) at a special-called virtual meeting set for Thursday, March 26th at 10 a.m. The MDE will provide more information and guidance for districts following the March 26th meeting.  We will keep you updated as these questions are answered. 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

1.    CYBERSAFETY: Sadly in these times, there are bad people that want to take advantage of us in our new "digital" distance classrooms and increased “free” digital time. We must be diligent in ensuring they are not allowed to invade the world of our children.  Please discuss cyber safety with your children and monitor them as much as you possibly can.  The following is just one of the many online resources available for information on how to protect your children.

https://www.connectsafely.org/wp-content/uploads/securityguide.pdf

2.     Governor Tate Reeves issued an Executive Order directing all Mississippi schools to close through April 17, 2020 to curb the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus). Governor Reeves said he would relax end-of-year testing requirements and school accountability measures and give the Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) maximum flexibility to waive rules.  

3.     Mississippi State Board of Education (MDE) Actions: 
The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted on Thursday, March 19^th to suspend all federal and state assessments for the 2019-20 school year and to submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for exemption of applicable federal requirements. (President Trump and the U.S. Department of Education announced that all federal assessments are waived.) As a result of the suspension of federal and state assessments, districts will retain the accountability grade for the 2020-21 school year that they received in the 2019-20 school year. 

4.     State and federal assessments that are suspended this school year include: 

• Pre-K and Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (post-test)  
• Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) and MAAP-Alternate English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science – Grades 3-8 and High School
•  Third Grade Gate  
•  U.S. History  
•  ACT for 11th graders  
•  English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT)  
•  Career Planning and Assessment System (CPAS)  

5.     The SBE voted to allow school districts to forego the requirement of a 180-day school year per state law for school closure due to COVID-19 and school closures.

6.     The RCSD will continue to serve Drive Thru/Grab and Go lunches from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. each day at Pelahatchie Elementary, McLaurin Elementary, and Richland Upper Elementary. All children 18 and under and First Responders, in uniform, are free, and adult meals cost $3.50 each. Children must be present in the vehicle to receive a meal according to USDA guidelines. 

7.     Career and Technical Education (CTE)/Vo-Tech and academic dual credit courses will be required to complete all course assignments online using the Canvas platform as assigned by each instructor. The teacher will follow the syllabus. These requirements are necessary because of the college credit being earned.  The student must log in at least once a week in order to be counted for attendance. This is the link from Hinds Community College to help students access their Canvas accounts: https://hindscc.instructure.com/courses/413277. 

8.     STAGE 1 of THE DISTANCE LEARNING PLAN (TDLP) on Thursday, March 19th and Friday, March 20th consisted of OPTIONAL Social/Emotional activities for those who were interested or needed them. This is a scary time for some of our students. While some are excited about the being out of school, many will be confused, feel isolated, be sad about cancellations of events, sports, etc. and be fearful of the unknown. Please contact our counselors via their email, if we can assist in this area. 

9.     STAGE 2 of THE DISTANCE LEARNING PLAN (TDLP) begins Monday, March 23, 2020. Please, remember, these lessons are designed to reinforce and enrich student skills while schools are closed. They are NOT meant to add stress to an already very difficult time in our lives. Communicate with your teachers if you have any questions or concerns. We will be patient and give grace throughout this process. See a few reminders below:

• Continue to check your email daily for updates and information. If you have not heard from your teacher/s or have questions, please email them. 
• You can also call the school and leave a message for your teacher or the principal. To find email addresses, go to your school’s website via www.rcsd.ms to locate teacher and principal email addresses. 
• We are working diligently to meet the needs of all of our students as much as possible during this unusual situation. This includes those students with an IEP and English Language learners. 
• If you do not have access to the Internet, there will be lesson packets outside of every school each day.  Students will need to be prepared to submit the paper distance learning lesson assignments, as applicable, when school resumes. 

In closing, we wish you and your family the very best.  Please follow the CDC guidelines using social distancing and hygiene protocol. Remember, life will get back to normal eventually, but hopefully, after this experience is over, our lives will include more appreciation of our blessings and our freedoms. In Governor Reeves’ words, “This is not a time for us to panic. This is a time for us to come together (as Rankin Countians), as Mississippians, as Americans. We are all in this fight together.”  I am confident Rankin County will bring everyone’s strengths together (BEST) as we move #RankinForward!

 

Serving you,

 

Sue Townsend, Ph.D. 

Superintendent

Rankin County School District

Updated 03/18/2020 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

First, let me share that the RCSD School Board of Trustees and the Administration’s most important goal is to help keep our students and employees safe and healthy during these uncertain times. There have been and will be many important decisions to make so we are continuing to focus on our strategic plan which always begins with asking ourselves two questions: - Are we doing what is right for our students?  Are we doing what’s right for our employees? While not all will agree with every decision we must make, please know that our hearts and minds are on our most important assets- our students and employees! We are here for support even though we are not within the walls of our schools. 

Distance Learning

The RCSD is working toward transitioning to distance learning opportunities for our students. Our goal is to do this slow and steady so we can minimize as much stress as possible on the part of our students, parents, and teachers. There will be mistakes and bumps in the road along the way as we travel this new territory. It will require patience and understanding on everyone’s part. We will do this in 3 Stages:

First Stage: THESE ARE OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES. On Thursday, March 19, 2020 and Friday, March 20, 2020, we will send out "Social/Emotional" mental health type activities for all students K-12. (There is a plan for those who do not have technology access.) 

Second Stage: March 23-27, 2020. Planned Enrichment Activities using Resource Tools created by our curriculum department. NO NEW MATERIAL WILL BE TAUGHT. 

Third Stage: IF NEEDED - This depends on the length of school closures. Lessons will be created and sent to students/parents by teachers with curriculum department support.

DUAL CREDIT EXCEPTION: Hinds Community College dual credit students (face to face or online) must continue with their Hind’s assignments through the Hinds Canvas platform. They will continue to follow their syllabus. Due to this being a college course the pacing must remain the same to obtain college credit. The student must log in at least once a week in order to be counted for attendance.

Our counselors feel it is important for our students to have help to cope with the Coronavirus COVID19 situation that is temporarily changing their lives and schedules. 

So, again, we will begin with Social-Emotional Mental Health Enrichment/Optional Activities to support our students. These activities are for Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20. This will serve a two-fold purpose. It will also help parents and school personnel know whether you are receiving our emails/texts/notices related to distance learning activities and for you to determine your technology capabilities.   

A SWIFT K-12 email/text has been sent to all parents/guardians with the activity links. Those links contain the social-emotional enrichment activities, which will begin our distance learning process. These activities are divided into grade bands.  

(For those without Internet/Technology Access: There will be hard copies provided outside your child’s school. You can pick them up outside of the school beginning Thursday, March 19.)

(SWIFTK-12 emails are limited to 140 characters per email/text which is why you may get multiple emails/texts.)

As you can imagine, there will be many questions along the way. We are answering most of these questions via our updates through the following methods- email/SwiftK12, our website, and our social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin) Please check these several times a day for updates. 

You can also email your teachers and principals as questions arise. School and district office phones are available. All messages are being forwarded to appropriate personnel and someone will get in touch with you. 

Important Note: In order to comply with the Presidential Declaration of a National Emergency and the State of Emergency Declaration by Governor Reeves, RCSD employees are working remotely except for those needed for essential operation functions such as Grab and Go lunches, paying bills, payroll, essential maintenance, etc. 

Bringing everyone’s strengths together - BEST!

Serving you,

 

Sue Townsend, Ph.D.

Superintendent