Almond Thursday Word

Dear Almond Families,

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones well. It seems that every day (almost hourly) information is updated and adjustments need to be made to learn how to live in this new reality we all find ourselves in. With how rapidly and broadly change has happened over the last few weeks, yesterday’s announcement that we would be finishing out the school year utilizing online instruction was likely not surprising to many. While this is a sobering reminder of the severity of the current public health crisis, I am encouraged by the ways our community has pulled together to create opportunities for students to continue learning through online instruction with at-home support.

Our goal is to push learning forward and maintain as much of the rigor we have all come to expect. We also want to find sustainability to online learning and support a healthy balance for ALL.

Teachers have been working non-stop to support our students in this transition to remote learning. They not only had to adjust the way they teach and interact with students but adjust their own home lives as well. I thank you and ask for your continued patience, kindness, and respect towards them during this time. They have risen quickly to the challenge of online teaching, and they will continue to refine instruction as we proceed forward.

While we are not able to replicate a full school day at home, here are the things you can expect for your child for the remainder of the year:

1. In grades K-5, students will continue to have must-dos each school day for reading, writing, math, and pe. In grade 6, student must-dos run across the main content areas.

2. Some days you will see new content being taught through recorded lessons; other days students may be practicing a skill they recently learned.

3. Teachers post optional activities beyond core instruction. If your child is looking for other activities to do beyond their core work, they can choose some may-dos in one of these areas.

4. Our goal is for every student to interface live with their teacher at least once each week. This could be one-on-one, with a small group, or as a class.

5. We will still be holding the following community-wide events virtually: Friday assembly videos, spirit days, and other school-wide ways to connect from a distance.

I know that school closure is requiring more of parents than ever before. I want to thank you for your partnership and acknowledge the great strides you are taking to support your students in learning. We could not do this without you. Thank you.

Looking ahead to Spring Break, LASD educators have created a catalog of resources to help our families with fun and education activities for children. We hope that these resources spark some interest for your family to spend some time together during the break.

Here’s to all of your efforts, understanding, and care as we continue our partnership to give our children our very best.

Raquel