Talon Talk

Volume 4 Issue 3

➡️ Principal's Update ⬅️

Announcement for Virtual Learners

Weekly, teachers provide virtual lessons in the HMS Virtual Middle School Assignment notebook, which is emailed to students and parents. Students use Google Classroom as their platform, and parents can help ensure students are logged in appropriately and effectively completing school work. To add an additional layer of support, HMS virtual advisors have been added to check in on students weekly. In theory, virtual students have their teachers, a virtual advisor, and a parent checking in to support learning.

Even with existing supports, HMS is finding that some students are not completing lessons, and in some cases, completing the wrong assignments. Parents, keep a close monitor on your students' progress and advocate their success by guiding their communication with teachers, ensuring they are turning in assignments, and most importantly, reaching out if there are any technical barriers in the way of learning.

Ultimately, students and parents who chose virtual education this fall have new challenges, just like in-person students do. HMS students who attend our school now wear masks, stay in a homeroom, do not have lockers, and stay all day in in rooms with plastic dividers- all in the spirit of safety. Virtual students also have different challenges as they don't enjoy the social benefits of school and must rely on independent learning skills.

It's important that teachers, students, and parents accept the challenges in both environments. The old saying is "it takes a village," and that has never been more true in current times. Please reach out if you notice your virtual learner is struggling, and we will continue to work, resolve, and evolve.

📚 Library Information 📚

In keeping with our theme of safety this year, we have adjusted our procedures for students using the library.

📕 Students will expected to use their Chromebook to view the library catalog located on the HMS Library homepage. Once a book is selected, they may enter their choices on the form located on the homepage.

📗 Their selections will be delivered the next day before Literacy class begins.

📘 Students may also place holds by logging into the library catalog page with their Google login credentials.

📙 Students needing extra help choosing a book may come to the library with teacher permission.

Soar Information from Mrs. Fennewald

Virtual Learners: Please complete the diagnostic testing at login-i.ready.com so we can get a clearer picture of where your student is and what their strengths and weaknesses are. We have not received data on most of our at home learners so we hope to get everyone's testing done as soon as possible.

Username: first initial last name four digit birthday

Password: four digit birthday

Feel free to email Amy Fennewald (afennewald@holdenschools.org) with any testing questions.