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Message From the Executive Director
May 1, 2020
Dear Exploris Community,
Wow! It is hard to believe that it’s May and we’ve already been learning and working remotely for seven weeks. Our students, teachers, and families have demonstrated our core values of innovation and social empowerment as we have shifted the paradigm on our learning environment and instructional strategies. They have also demonstrated our core values of reflection and craftsmanship as we’ve evaluated and refined our learning plans and digital platforms. Students have been given dedicated time to focus on Global Arts during the week to balance out their academics with their creative and athletic side. The 1st grade and 4th grade partnered together on Friday to enjoy a virtual dance party. Our 7th graders and 3rd graders are both exploring their creativity through poetry. The 7th-grade poetry work is published on their Padlet featuring a variety of styles of poetry. Our 8th graders are creating artistic designs to celebrate the Class of 2020.
Exploris students also continue independent service-learning by participating in the #DoGoodFromHome challenge. Exploris students have also been demonstrating their social empowerment by writing to Governor Cooper regarding their questions and concerns about COVID-19 and plans to return to school. The 8th-grade class also had a special guest speaker join their class today, NC Department of Environmental Quality, Secretary Regan along with other officials from the Governor’s office. Learning together continues and our students and teachers remain inspiring and inspired by one another.
The entire Exploris community has demonstrated resiliency and strength in the face of adversity and uncertainty. Joy and belonging continue. Even while we are remote, we are still together as one community. Now that we have tackled the initial response to this emergency, we are looking forward to preparing for our future. School leaders are participating in a multitude of leadership teams across the state along with task forces specifically designed to plan for our safe re-entry to school. The General Assembly is crafting legislation in response to COVID-19 including Senate Bill 704 and House Bill 1043. Additional information will be shared with families as details and guidance from our state leaders become finalized. Our internal Exploris teams are discussing the various scenarios for school re-entry and the modifications that may be needed to our facilities, operations, and schedules to ensure we are meeting the educational needs of all in a safe learning environment.
We are closing in on the end of the third trimester and our teachers are in the process of planning for remote portfolio conferences which will be held later in May. Plans are also underway for our virtual graduation ceremony to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2020. Crew teachers will be providing detailed updates in their weekly newsletters. Additional updates on grading, promotion, and retention are outlined below.
Grading and Achievement Reports
The Department of Public Instruction issued additional guidance on grading for schools on April 23, 2020. An FAQ document from the state is linked to the newsletter for your reference. At the elementary level grades, K-5 student work will not be graded. Teachers will continue to provide feedback to students and parents on assignments while being flexible and sensitive to unique family living and learning situations. Middle School students will receive a Pass “PC19” or Withdrawal “WC19” for the final course grades for all middle school courses. A student’s grade will be held harmless for learning after March 13. No student will be penalized for their participation or success during the remote digital learning period. PC19 will be assigned to any student who was meeting expectations and passing the course as of March 13 or who worked to improve to the point of passing after March 13 through remote learning.
A Withdrawal “WC19” will be assigned to any student who was not passing the course as of March 13 and who was unable to improve to the point of passing the course through remote learning opportunities. A middle school course grade of WC19 does not equate to a failing course grade nor does it indicate that grade retention should occur or that the course must be repeated. The grade WC19 simply indicates a lack of evidence of mastery of standards addressed in the particular content area.
Middle school students enrolled in high school courses will follow grading options listed for high school students in grades 9-11. Students will receive course credit but, as in existing policy, the grade will not be counted in the GPA calculation. Students will have the option of reporting their grade or electing the Passing PC19 or Withdrawal WC19 option. Additional details can be found in the state FAQ document on grading linked in the newsletter.
Teachers will not implement any punitive measures for missed assignments or class meetings but will encourage all students to be fully engaged in the remote learning process. Maintaining routines and schedules is critically important for children during times of uncertainty. This is a challenging time for all of us and we are encouraging everyone to provide grace, patience, and flexibility. Please continue to encourage your child to be active learners but also recognize that they may be struggling to manage independently and may need to take a break at times.
As families are aware, the Achievement Reports at Exploris look different than other schools since we do not use numbers or letter grades. Our end of year achievement reports will be narrative comments highlighting student progress and growth. Specific ratings of beginning, developing, and accomplished will not be measured for each specific standard during the third trimester.
Retention/Promotion
The digital learning environment will not impact a student’s ability to be promoted to the next grade. This unprecedented environment is affecting all students around the state, country, and world. Our teachers will fully assess students at the beginning of the next school year and make adjustments to instructional strategies and provide student supports as needed. Only students that were already under discussion with families about retention prior to March 13, 2020, could possibly be retained.
Family Support
Business closures and changes due to the impacts of COVID-19 may have impacted your family. Resources are available to support your family if needed. The Governor has approved Pandemic EBT resources to support families that rely on our free and reduced lunch program. Our school community is also here to help if you are in need. Please reach out to our school counselor for confidential assistance and resources. You can also visit the school counseling page for additional information. Your crew teacher and the administrative team are also all here to support our Exploris families through the challenging times that may cause hardships for you.
Enjoy reading all the interesting grade level highlights in the newsletter to find out more about the exciting remote learning taking place at Exploris. Remember to update your calendars with the upcoming important dates. Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or one of the administrative support team members if you have any questions or need assistance. Wishing you all good health and happiness.
All the best,
Ellie
Kindergarten
Here you can see a picture of a Kindergarten small group playing a fun scavenger hunt!
First Grade
First-grade teachers have been driving around to their student's homes to drop off gift bags. First-grade teachers try to keep up the relationships with their students by having a socially distant hangout when dropping off the gift bags!
Second Grade
Second graders have been exploring how animals change and grow. They have loved examining the lives of hermit crabs, sloths, sea turtles, frogs, birds, butterflies, and humans!
Third Grade
Below you can see a picture of Adele leading a fractions activity on Zoom. The students had a great time learning about fractions, asking questions, and doing fun activities.
Fourth Grade
This month in 4th grade we went on a virtual field trip with the NCMNS! The museum brought the Shad to the Classroom program to us virtually. While it wasn't totally the same as raising Shad fish and learning how to maintain water quality in person, students were able to learn about the life cycle of the Shad and see a Shad ecosystem thanks to our friends at the museum! Also, lots of love to our Exploris parent, Renee Anderson for creating an engaging Interactive Notebook and collaborating with the 4th-grade teachers to train us some new ways to present learning digitally!
Fifth Grade
5th grade continues to crush it. Today, in honor of our awesomeness, we held an entire grade Zoom party. We even managed to have a virtual dance party! Way to go 5th grade! Keep up the positive attitude and great work! We miss you all.
Sixth Grade
Sixth graders are wrapping up their study of Ancient Mesopotamia this week. Students have learned about important leaders of our past and have explored key civilizations like Babylonia, Assyria, and Sumer. This week, students even got to write like a Babylonian! Students were able to write their monogram in Cuneiform. Over the next few weeks, students will work on an ancient civilizations mini-project in which they compare and contrast ancient civilizations.
Seventh Grade
7th graders are using all sorts of technology as they learn about immigration. Here is a Padlet where the students went out in their community (or looked in their own cupboards) to find and capture pictures of cultural markers, evidence of other cultures we have absorbed.
Eighth Grade
Currently, the 8th-grade students are working on #DoGoodFromHome, where they choose an endangered species and try to help them. Many groups are focused on humans whether its seniors, trees, or even masks! Evan, Joey, Mat, Bradley, Griffin, and Jerry are using their 3D printers and printing mask parts and donating them to local hospitals, isn't that so cool! As you might remember, this is a smaller version of #DesignForChange for endangered causes. So at dinner ask your kid how they are #DoingGoodFromHome.
Global Arts
Connected world - ES
Second grade has begun to learn the language of coding through Scratch this month! Please check out their amazing efforts.
https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/26351995/
Wellness - MS
Below you can see the homepage for the Middle School Remote Wellness App. The students have been engaged and active and even some staff members have been using the app!
Counselor Corner
I would like to “Spotlight” parents and acknowledge that you have done a great job supporting your kids at home. During this time of uncertainty, it is important to take care of yourself. Here is a good article about daily life and coping during this unpredictable time of COVID-19 from The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, May is National Mental Health Awareness Month.
Finding some work-life balance at the Duncan household. |
