TIPS and EXPECTATIONS for Remote Learning

Parents

The best way for parents to continue to communicate with the teacher is via email.  Teachers will reply to the communication in as timely manner as they can depending on the circumstances or time it occurs, many staff are trialling working remotely from home.

How will the teacher and students work together?

The number of online meetings and contact that each class has with their teacher will be different.  Please keep in mind that teachers will do things differently and due to the student’s age, level of need, stage of development etc it will need to be different.  Comparing what is happening in each class is not productive, we expect it to be different just as each classroom is.  Each teacher will be available online at various times throughout the day to directly work with students between 9.00am and 3.10pm as per normal school hours,. The weekly plan is uploaded to See-Saw for Kindergarten/Year 1 and Google Classroom for Years 2/3/4 and Years 5/6.  During the hours of 9.00am to 3.10pm teachers will be:

• monitoring student progress on tasks.
• responding to student submissions of tasks completed.
• assisting individual students or small groups through online means. These will ordinarily be scheduled ahead of time.
• answering questions from parents and students via email or Seesaw messaging.

When students are working alone at home it is easy to imagine that teachers can respond to questions in an instant messaging kind of scenario. Teachers will want to assist students at their time of need but they may not be able to because:

• they are currently working with another student.
• they are on their own recess or lunch break and will return after.
• they are having a designated Release From Face to Face (RFF) time and other staff such as Mrs Parker, Mrs Murray, Mrs Turnbull or Miss Jesperson are online to assist any students with their
• Their ‘face-to-face’ hours have finished for the day.

Teachers will always do their best to respond and engage in a timely manner. Depending on the time and the nature of any requests this may even have to be the next day.

It is important to know that:

• Teachers may still have sick days. This will mean that students will complete any tasks previously set for them. Teachers will not be expected to be online if they are sick. An announcement will be placed on Google Classroom, email or through Seesaw if a teacher is sick that day so that students and parents are aware.

How do I set my child up to participate in this remote learning program?

• establish your family routines and your expectations
• define a space for your child to work in
• monitor communications from teachers
• begin and end each day with a check-in
  • In the morning ask:
    • What are you learning today?
    • What do you need to get done today?
    • How will you be spending your time?
    • What do you need to get this done?
    • What help do you need?
  • In the afternoon ask:
    • What did you learn today?
    • Acknowledge one thing that was difficult. Either let it go or come up with a strategy if the same thing happens again.
    • Consider three things that went well today. Why were they good?
    • Are you okay? Do you need to ask your teacher for something? Do you need help with something to make tomorrow more successful?
  • where possible take an active role in helping your children process their learning
  • encourage physical activity and/or exercise
  • check in with your child regularly to help them manage stress
  • monitor how much time your child is spending online
  • let your child’s teacher know if you think they are struggling or do not get a concept so that they can get some extra support

What are the student’s responsibilities?

These responsibilities should be adjusted according to the age of your child:

• establishing and/or following a daily routine for learning
• identifying a safe, comfortable, quiet space in their home where they can work effectively and successfully
• regularly monitoring digital platforms and communication (Google Classroom, Seesaw, email, etc.) to check for announcements and feedback from teachers
• doing their best work
• doing their best to meet timelines, commitments, and due dates
• communicating proactively with their teachers if they cannot meet deadlines or require additional support
• collaborating and supporting their classmates in their learning
• complying with the Student ICT User Agreement.

Remote learning is new for all of us.

Through this trial we are looking forward to the new opportunities for learning that will be created. Teachers, students and parents are all learning together. Let’s all be patient, kind and open to each other and the new learning opportunities that will occur in the coming weeks.