Hey Trojans,

When I was a boy my dream was to play basketball at North Carolina State University. I didn't quite achieve this dream, but the head coach whom I hoped to play for made a big impression on me. He unfortunately died of cancer a number of years ago, but in delivering a speech just prior to his death, in it he defined what a full day is, he said...

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." -Jim Valvano

As you go through ups and downs right now, remember that a good cry is just as important as a good laugh! Its also time for us to start helping you think! Keep reading to learn more about Remote Learning beginning this week at FHS.

I miss you!

Get 'em-

Mr. Bakke

There was a lot of information that we delivered on Friday, We want to make sure everyone understands what is going to be happening with remote learning at FHS. In this newsletter scroll down to:

1. Watch a 12 minute video for Fife Students from Mr. Bakke (Below) explaining our schedule and plan for the next few weeks.

2. If you are up for something inspirational, Watch this 45 minute video of the 2nd Virtual Kindness Assembly, this one features Parvati Shallow from Survivor.

3. An outline of the 3 phases of our Remote Learning Plan

4. Answers to a few common questions

5. Some important reminders for Seniors

6. We suggest if you have another 12 minutes to spare, that you watch the inspiring message from State Superintendent Chris Reykdal

(this was recorded from a live broadcast, skip first 3 minutes while they work out a tech glitch)

Phase 1: Get connected

Students received an email from their “Family Class teacher” on Friday. Students will be asked to reply to their “Family Class” teacher’s email sometime before Monday 3/30 at 8AM. Students will answer a few simple questions. This will help us assess students accessibility on-line and ensure that students are aware that remote learning is starting soon.

Phase 2 purpose: The focus of Phase 2 remote learning will be on enrichment and reteaching.

• If students have makeup work or assignments that can still be done, this is a great time to work on those as well.
• During this phase students are not going to receive grades nor will they be penalized for not completing newly assigned work. That said, teachers will be providing feedback to students.
• Teachers will be sharing with students review learning opportunities via the teachers “Google Classrooms” or in an email to the students. This will focus on review material.
• Teachers are creating these assignments being cognizant to balance workload with “life circumstances” that so many of us are dealing with.

Is it required? Yes. Students should be participating as directed by the teacher.

How will this affect my grades and credits? The state school board is making final decisions on the requirements to earn credits and grades on April 8th. For now the guidance to us is that in order for students to earn credit they must meet standard. More on this to come.

Following spring break every teacher will have virtual “office hours.”

• Teachers will share with students when they will be available for quick response and feedback. This will allow students to ask any questions they might have as well as engage with the teacher.
• This is optional for the student, especially if they do not have any questions about the material assigned to them.
• Teachers will also be available as usual via email which they will respond to as soon as possible.

This phase will introduce a more structured schedule. New material will also be introduced. Here is the overview of the weekly schedule:

• The “lessons” that take place will be delivered in Google Hangout Meets.
• Students access this by pressing a link provided to them on their class Google Calendars shared with them by their teacher.
• Students will have 1 class period a week for each class, as well as an additional opportunity to connect with the teacher during “office hours” day.
• Class periods are recorded so students can access them at other times.
• Students will have an assignment for the class each week.
• Teachers will be communicating their office hours with students, we will also be sharing that out at the school level.
• Teachers will also be responding to emails throughout the week as quickly as they can.

Is it required? Yes. Students should be participating as directed by the teacher.

How will this affect my grades and credits? The state school board is making final decisions on the requirements to earn credits and grades on April 8th. For now the guidance to us is that in order for students to earn credit they must meet standard. More on this to come.

Class periods and Office hours:

• Students will be shared the link to each respective class period by their teacher in “Google Hangouts Meets.”
• For “office hours” teachers will share with students when they will be available for quick response and feedback.
• This will allow students to ask any questions they might have as well as engage with the teacher.
• This is optional for the student, especially if they do not have any questions about the material assigned to them.

“what if I don’t have the internet?” We are assessing who needs internet access support, once we know you don’t have internet we will work with you to solve this problem. If you don’t have internet but have somehow received this letter, here is a resource for you: https://internetessentials.com/

“what about my grades and credits?” There are a lot of unknowns right now on this topic that the state education authorities are working on right now. We will follow their direction once that is determined. They are not wanting this crisis to set back any students toward graduation or negatively impact a students GPA.

"what about my AP and Central Washington University classes?" There still is testing for AP, but it has been modified. We are working with Central right now as well on the implications for our college credit classes. Assignments and grades for CWU and AP will potentially be required in order to receive credit. The workload expectation will also be a little more for AP and these college classes. More information regarding this will come from the teacher of these respective courses.

"what about Running Start classes?" Going to your respective college website for information is the best way to get status updates. It appears all colleges are moving forward with an on-line platform as well.

• We will have a thorough FAQ for seniors posted net week, which we will continue to upstate as events evolve.

• There are also many questions and concerns about graduation and other requirements for the 2020 senior class. We are working with the state on all the details around the senior class, graduation, etc.

• “what about my credits I need for graduation?” We again are working with the state on this question, they will provide us a good route to make sure this does not further impede someone who was on track to graduate. We will have more information following the State school board meeting on April 8th.

• Be assured, we will guide all seniors toward graduation and our students will not be negatively impacted as a result of events beyond their control. That is our commitment to you and our senior class!

• senior Presentations are cancelled, seniors need to complete their xello assignments to meet graduation requirements for High School

Here is the link to the Fife Scholarship Foundation Application. Please get this in, the deadline is still April 17th. LINK HERE

There have been some changes to the meal program!

• We ave combine routes and set a variety of locations where our buses can pull over to distribute meals safely.
• The final locations will be at Discovery, Hedden and Fife High School.
• The new routes will start later in the morning but still go into as many neighborhoods as we can.
• The stops for our new MAIN routes are in the flyer below...

3/13/20

Dear Fife Students,

You are facing truly unprecedented events, and this will be something you will never forget for the rest of your life. I am so sorry you are going through it. I’m sorry that for so many of you, the rewards from the hard work you have put into your sports, concerts, and productions is being taken from you. I’m sorry that your education is getting temporarily compromised. I’m sorry for all the special events that were scheduled that have been canceled. These are memories you won’t get back. I am sorry if you are feeling fear. I know these events are going to impact us all in a lot of scary ways.

But to our beloved FHS students, do not lose hope! My grandparents generation was called, “the greatest generation.” A lot of people think this is simply because of the extreme sacrifice they made during World War II fighting for the freedom of the world, but that is only part of the story. This was the same generation that grew up in the depression, during the worst economic times in our history. They suffered tremendous loss and faced incredible adversity, when terms like “rationing” were everyday vocabulary. They never lost hope, and in spite of those hard times they went through, they went on to save the world.

Fife students, this is your time to show that you have the makings of also being a “great generation.” You are going through historic adversity, which means it's your opportunity to shine bright. Shine by showing others how you care, by your resilience, by being extra helpful with your family, and by showing empathy and encouragement with your peers, and community. Even yesterday you put together a rush food drive and collected hundreds of items in just one day. We continue to be so proud of you!

.

I want you to again be reminded why we say “Get ‘Em Trojans.” In Fife it means that we will not back down, that there isn’t a challenge, adversity, competition, or tough test that will sway us...there is no such thing as insurmountable odds; in Fife we do not lose hope, and we do not quit. We Get ‘em Trojans!

I can’t wait to see you in a few weeks, when we finish the school year the way we are supposed to... together. Make good decisions today and in the few weeks ahead. And Get ‘Em Trojans.

Sincerely,

Mr. Bakke

Our Mission: To be a school that prepares all students for life beyond high school by developing their mind, body, and character

Email: tgieck@fifeschools.com
Website: https://fhs.fifeschools.com/
Location: 5616 20th St E, Fife, WA, USA
Phone: 253-891-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifehigh/
Twitter: @fifeHSTrojans