ICCSD Online Learning Program
Sync ~ February 2, 2024
About Our Program
The Iowa City Community School District’s K-12 Online Learning Program (ICCSD Online) offers an exceptional learning experience for students in grades K-12. ICCSD Online is open to all students in Iowa and provides a high-quality, at-home alternative to the District’s traditional classroom setting. Designed and taught by District teachers and administrators, the program provides students the ability to engage in rigorous coursework offered through a supportive online environment. ICCSD Online provides families the ability to choose the academic setting that is best for their students without having to sacrifice the traditional benefits of working directly with teachers and classmates.
Email: mayer.laura@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Domain/5046
Location: 2255 North Dubuque Road, Iowa City, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 688-1370
Message from the Principal
The sunshine has been a welcome addition to our days. The daylight is creeping farther into the evenings which is also a welcome change.
Elmo, a famous Sesame Street Muppet, recently asked a familiar question on a social media platform, "How is everybody doing?". The responses to his question grabbed national attention and brought positive awareness to social emotional health and the act of checking in on friends. The responses Elmo received were varied, as we would expect from a social media platform. Responses ranged from quiet to spam to funny to very real. It is not easy to be vulnerable, even in our safest environments. To be vulnerable is to accept the nervousness, fear or uncomfortableness which comes from stepping into that moment and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. I think of some key moments in my life, both as a young person and an adult, where I stepped into my vulnerability. In each time, I learned from it and I grew from it. I won't say each time was a perfect "Hallmark" ending because it wasn't. They rarely are! But I am better for it. I have also learned to recognize when I am putting up defenses because I sense my own vulnerability. I have also learned to embrace my moments of vulnerability so that I can continue to grow. I have learned I can lean into others for support when I need it.
In some ways, to learn takes vulnerability. We have to be open to the direct instruction. We have to consider the feedback we are given. We have to acknowledge when things are not going well. We have to accept that we might need more help. We have to try again. Our online environment might feel like a place where we can insulate ourselves from vulnerability and, in some ways, we might be able to. However, in the long run, to be successful in the online environment, we have to embrace our moments of vulnerability and step into learning rather than leave make excuses, walk away or shut down.
As we continue through this season into the next, please reach out to our program staff and teachers. We sincerely want to know how you are doing. We can grow together.
Laura Mayer
ICCSD Online Principal
Mid - Winter Updates
- Parent teacher Conferences --Elementary families will also get this information on February 7th. All conferences will be held virtually on Feb. 28th and March 4th.
- Week of Feb. 26th Student Materials distribution --Students and families pick up all Tri 3 materials; including additional math and reading materials for core and/or intervention, teacher determined materials, science experiment kits, art supplies, and musical instruments. Secondary courses may also have materials to pick up during this time.
Class for Zoom Update
Our staff has begun training on a new interactive tech platform. It is called Class for Zoom. It is an application that enhances interaction and engagement through Zoom. It has improved ways to track student participation and gives the teacher additional outreach to students through their interactive share screen settings. All of the platforms teachers have been regularly using can also integrate into this new Class for Zoom app. Teachers will having training and practice sessions for the next several weeks before we actually try it out with students. We will let you know ahead of time what changes for student actions might be needed.
We are looking at this new tech platform as another positive step forward for ICCSD Online in creating a healthy and productive online environment for students. We do recognize this new tool will ask students to step out of their comfort zone and it will press students to be more actively engaged in their online learning. This is a good thing!
Stay tuned for more information about Class for Zoom and its impact on student routines! Check out the company's short demo video below!
Updated Attendance Excusals
In an effort to ensure the safety of our students, the online program will continue to utilize Automated Attendance Notifications. These notifications will consist of an automated phone call, email, and text message notifying the parent/guardian that their student has been marked absent, and to contact the school as soon as possible. If you receive one of these notifications, please contact the school right away to avoid follow up calls, and potentially calls to your emergency contacts.
If your student is going to be absent or late to class, please enter an absence request using the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, emailing olpattendance@iowacityschools.org, or call the attendance office at 319-688-1370 before the start of the school day to prevent absence notifications.If you have any questions please contact the Program Secretary Miranda Walker at (319) 688-1370.
Instructions for entering an absence in Infinite Campus can be found HERE.
PBIS Core Values
During community time, teachers are supporting students and helping them to understand what is means to be an OWLS. These expectations require students to develop social awareness and relationship skills. The community expectations are present within student use of the camera, chat, microphone and their active participation in shared platforms and digital resources during synchronous learning. These community expectations will support students during their academic career. They will require students to engage in their own learning and build solid relationships with their classmates and teachers.
Best Practices for Chromebooks
Best Practices for Chromebooks
Charge the device regularly and allow the battery to expend itself to support functional battery life. It is not necessary to leave it plugged into the charging cord daily. Report charging issues, such as not being able to hold a consistent charge, to our librarian and media secretary to replace or exchange items.
Perform a regular shut down and restart of the device; could be daily or weekly. This allows the system to complete the full updates as they are pushed out.
Close your apps and browser each day before shutting down the Chromebook or closing the screen. Note: Closing the screen is not the same as performing a “shut down”
Clear the cache and cookies stored from the browser; this could be every six months to a year
Check to make sure the chromebook is operating with the most updated ChromeOS version
Basic Troubleshooting for Chromebooks
Close apps, tabs and browser and then log in again.
Shut down and restart the Chromebook; this action should be performed regularly so the device can complete any updates that are available.
Clear the cache and cookies from the browsing history of the device.
Check for any updates in the ChromeOS that need to be completed.
Check the login pathway for accessing established teacher/course Zoom links.
Review the ClassLink or Canvas login pathways to make sure you are using the pathways synced with the icstudents.org provided for student use on district devices.
For Mr. Krause
Who setting up individual student meetings on Friday afternoon during office hours.
For Ms. Pruess, Mr. Cornett, Ms. Walker and Ms. Chelf
For registering and enrolling several new students during the month of January!
For Ms. Kreinbring
For organizing additional art supplies for the Arts 7th grade students so that they can follow along with art techniques at home!
We are WISE. We are POWERFUL. We are DIVERSE.
Program ~ Important Dates Ahead
- Thursday, Feb. 8th ~ 3rd and 4th Grade Animation Workshop event
- Friday, Feb. 9 & Feb. 12th ~ No School; No Work School Year Staff
- Wednesday, Feb. 28th ~ Evening Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences
- Friday, March 1st ~ End of Trimester 2
- Monday, March 4th ~ No School, Records Day & Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences
- Tuesday, March 5th ~ First day of Trimester 3
- March 11th - March 15th ~ Spring Break, District Offices Closed
- Monday, March 25th ~ Tentative Launch of Class for Zoom with students
- Wednesday, April 10th ~ No School; EID holiday
- April 15-18th ~ ISASP Testing; assessments must be completed in person
Ombuds Office
Students, Families, and Employees - The Ombuds Office is here to help!
The Ombuds Office is a general concern office and conflict resolution resource for District constituents, including students, parent/guardians, and employees regarding school and/or District-related matters. The Office is a critical component in the District's efforts to raise awareness of concerns; promote a civil, equitable, and inclusive organization; and improve organizational culture. My educational background is in psychology, human resources, and law. I am a trained mediator and currently teach dispute resolution as an adjunct professor. I am a member of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA) and practice in accordance with IOA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
Visit www.IowaCitySchools.org/Ombuds to learn more!
Safe Gun Storage
The Iowa City Community School District Board of Education directs the superintendent to explain the importance of secure gun storage and legal obligations to protect minors from accessing irresponsibly stored guns. Iowa Code § 724.22(7) makes it a crime to store or leave a loaded but unlocked or unsecured firearm where the person storing or leaving the gun knows or has reason to believe that a child under the age of 14 is likely to gain access to the gun without the permission of the child's parent or guardian. Please find the entire Iowa Code section here:
724.22 Persons under twenty-one--sale, loan, gift, making available--possession.
Non-Discrimination Statement
It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations, 1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, 319-688-1000, howard.eric@iowacityschools.org.