Virtual Learning Code Conduct

All D.A.T.E. students receiving digital curriculum and direct instruction online are subject to any applicable District policies and this Student Virtual Learning Code of Conduct.

Students are responsible for proper behavior during online learning.

Students are expected to take integrity and use authenticity of their own work.

It is illegal to create harmful computer viruses.

Remote Learning correspondences are public under school’s records and subject to disclosure.
 

Internet Policy

Data that is composed, transmitted, accessed, or received via the Internet must not contain content that could be considered discriminatory, offensive, obscene, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or disruptive to any other person. Examples of unacceptable content may include, but are not limited to, sexual comments or images, racial slurs, gender-specific comments, or any other comments or images that could reasonably offend someone on the basis of race, age, sex, religious or political beliefs, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
 

Disciplinary Action

Progressive discipline will continue to be utilized to create the expectation that the degree of discipline imposed will be in proportion to the severity of the behavior. Violations of the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action up to and including Districts policies and guidelines.

Last week, we shared the re-opening plan for DATE. Consistent with DeKalb County School District, DATE will transition students back into the building when the pandemic data and health officials indicate an appropriate downward trend in active cases.

If this transition does not happen by November 9, 2020 as recently projected, we will still extend our school day to match that of a traditional school day. This means, students should be available for their class sessions from 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM, Monday through Thursday.

This change in schedule is being made to:

Match virtual and hybrid learning models to occur simultaneously as needed

Increase time on task to ensure that students don’t continue to experience significant learning loss

Please check your child’s Google Classroom/Parent Announcements for details for each grade level schedule.

If we are able to return students to the building with a hybrid learning model, we will stagger grade level as indicated below. The staggered return is to effectively acclimate the students to a safe return to in-person instruction.

Week 1: hybrid learning model for students in grades K and 5

Week 2: hybrid learning model for students in grades K, 1, 5 and 6.

Week 3: hybrid learning model for students in grades K, 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7.

Week 4: hybrid learning model for students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Parents, what’s your pleasure?

Have you completed the link below to indicate whether or not you will have your child(ren) remain 100% online with virtual learning or return to the campus for the hybrid learning model when we reopen? You only need to complete this link ONCE per child enrolled at DATE.

Deadline to complete is Friday, October 30.

https://forms.gle/MMu9G2MnAnsKGHnR9

We need you to be purposeful with indicating your preference as all non-respondents will be assigned to remain 100% virtual. Students that will return to the campus for hybrid learning will only come two days a week based on their last name. Once we get a more accurate count of students returning, we will provide more details and logistics on the hybrid and virtual schedules for instruction. D.A.T.E.’s staggered reopening plan is outlined below for your review:
 

Remember, parents that don’t explicitly state a preference will be assigned 100% virtual instruction without an option for returning to face-to-face instruction until we return to a traditional, 5 days a week, learning environment.

Hello D.A.T.E. Family

Just a friendly reminder that grades will be coming out soon. Being the middle school principal at D.A.T.E., I realize how important grades are to our stakeholders, but truth be told, grades are only a part of what students need to be successful. Some of you will see the grades that your scholars have this first nine weeks and have a conniption. Please be mindful that grades are much like your babies, they continue to grow and get better with experience. We are all experiencing totally new genres of learning, so it may take some scholars longer than to catch on. 
Please don't panic if your scholars grades aren't where you want them to be in the first quarter, they still have time to bring them up. What you should do is work on a schedule with your scholars, so they can be better prepared to complete assignments and turn them in in a timely fashion. I have found that completing assignments on time and neatly have always helped students to achieve good grades in the classroom, and during this time of the pandemic, it is going to be crucial that you work with them on time management and completing assignments on time. 

At the 9 week mark, it is our hope that families have become more comfortable with virtual learning.  As we expand to a full day schedule, here are tips to help ease transition.

Create the BEST space possible.  Our scholars will engage in their classes for longer periods with the expanded schedule.  Help their experience by making them comfortable and away from distractions.
Establish rules and goals.  Research shows that students will work hard when expectations are clear.  Create an environment that puts learning first and help them to set productive and attentive goals.
Make work meaningful.  With teachers only being on camera students may not grasp the meaning of work.   Help teachers by supporting the assignments with aligning the work to personal values or their personal goals.  Be creative and create or tell stories that might make the learning fun.
Play to the student's strengths.  Focus on what your scholar does well. Help them build their weaknesses by rewarding their strengths.
Build relationships.  Bond with your scholar during these times.  Help and support them as much as possible,  Be the BEST teacher they have had!


D. A. T. E.'s Motto: "Learning with Relationships,  Relevance, and Rigor."

Greeting DATE Family,

It’s that time of the year again when those who celebrate Halloween will be out and about with their trick or treaters.  Here are a few safety tips according to the Center for Control Disease to reduce the spread of COVID-!9.  While the safest way to reduce the spread is to stay inside, social distance, and avoid large crowds of people, these tips may help your family and friends from spreading and or contracting the virus. 

Make trick-or-treating safer

• Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.

• Give out treats outdoors, if possible.

• Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.

• Wash hands before handling treats.

• Wear a mask.

Wear a mask

• Make your cloth mask part of your costume.

• A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.

• Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.

• Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing

Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you

• Indoors and outdoors, you are more likely to get or spread COVID-19 when you are in close contact with others for a long time.

Wash your hands

• Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.

• Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Parents: supervise young children using hand sanitizer.

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.

For more information go to this site:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/halloween.html

Toxic Positivity 

Most times when we are met with challenging situations, expectations or events we tend to air on the side of positivity. When a child breaks a toy or loses a game we tell them “at least you did your best”. Which is true, they did their best. It is okay to be sad, upset or disappointed when something does not go how you wanted. Many of our children are experiencing sadness in their lives at a higher level than usual. We may be pushing a positive light onto them without noticing that we are overshadowing their feelings. It is okay for the children to be disappointed, it is okay for you to not know what to say, and it is okay to not be okay. 


With the upcoming election, the constant stream of negative information on the news and overhearing adult conversations; you may not realize how much you are declining within yourself. Imagine a day where you have no stress, no negative news, and everything was perfect. Those feelings that you may have just felt are the same feelings we need to try and pull from when we begin to feel overwhelmed. If we cannot reach our “happy place” then it is okay to not be okay.

When talking with your children, or family and friends, be sure to do the following:

• Hear what they are saying. If someone is sad, then let them express their sadness. You don’t have to say or think that they should just keep trying. Let them have their feelings as they are presented to you.
• 
  When your child does not score well on an assignment, consider stating that low scores are a part of growth and make a plan to address the areas of weakness that led to that score.
• 
  When discussing with your child about the pandemic it is okay to be sad about the pandemic, but it is also okay to have hope. Try to understand where their sadness is coming from, and work through with strategies for calming those emotions.
• 
  Offer support. Yes, we know it “could be worse” but that does not mean we place our feelings or those of others behind us as if we are waiting for the “worse” to reach us. 

When in doubt, just listen. You may learn some things about yourself, your child or your spouse that explains how they are feeling, how they cope and what you can do to get and give support. As always, if you are feeling overwhelmed or in a toxic place of positivity; please reach out to a professional for help.