Senn High School Remote Learning Plan

Senn High School Remote Learning Days

On Friday, April 17, Governor Pritzker announced that in-person instruction will be suspended for the rest of the school year in Illinois to further slow the spread of COVID-19. CLICK HERE to view the official CPS communication. Senn High school will continue to follow the remote learning expectations that align with Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requirements.  Revisions from our original plan have been highlighted in red.

All of our students have been issued a Chromebook and it is vital that they use this resource each day.

EXPECTATIONS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING ON REMOTE LEARNING DAYS

Remote learning is a new practice for Senn High School; however, the use of Chromebooks, Google Classrooms and other online platforms is not. We recognize that there will be challenges for both students and teachers, but the goal of these expectations is to keep learning moving forward for students while keeping the daily demands for students, teachers, and families manageable.

The key to ensure success is that everyone remains flexible but committed to the outcomes. Teachers need to be flexible in terms of student technical difficulties and deadlines, especially for graded assignments. Students need to be flexible in terms of technical difficulties and teacher response times. Parents need to be patient with both students and teachers as we continue to figure out the best practices to move learning forward. We appreciate everybody working together and doing the best they can in a unique situation for the good of the students and their learning.

Possible daily schedule for students

• 8:00 AM -  Students check Google Classroom for info from teachers
• 10:00 to 11:00 AM - Students contact teachers in Google Classroom with any questions
• 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Work on classwork and attend class meetings.  
• 1:00 to 2:00 PM - Students contact teachers in Google Classroom with any questions
• 2:00 PM – Students check email and Google Classroom for updates from teachers

Tips: 

• Stay in contact with your teachers and classmates. We are all in this together!
• Consider breaking up classes into 45-60 minute time slots.  
• Take short breaks and don’t forget to eat lunch!
• If you have conflicts during the day, tweak the above schedule.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

• • Students should check Google Classroom each morning by 8:00 a.m. Review the assignments and make a plan for the day.  All teachers will be available via email or Google Classroom during the designated daily connection and office hours
    • Daily Connection: 10:00-11:00am
    • Office Hours: 1:00-2:00p
    • Feedback: Weekly via Google Classroom
  • Check Google @ CPS email and the Senn High School web page in the morning for general communications from CPS and the school.
  • Students should communicate with teachers about daily and long-term assignments through their CPS email.
  • Students must complete assignments/submit daily check-in requirements to teachers via Google Classroom by the posted deadline.
  • The number of assignments will vary by class but please expect and plan to commit 4.5-5 hours of work per class each week.

TEACHER EXPECTATIONS

• • Post and publish course work on Google Classroom by 8:00 a.m. daily.  Check in with your teachers via email or Google Classroom during the daily connection or office hours.
    • Daily Connection: 10:00-11:00am
    • Office Hours: 1:00-2:00pm
    • Feedback: Weekly via Google Classroom
  • Teachers are expected to provide 3-4 activities/assignments per week that take students 4.5-5 total hours per week to complete.  
  • On days that an assignment is not due we are encouraging teachers to have daily check-in/reflection to encourage students to login and stay engaged with classwork. 
  • Assignments should be meaningful yet manageable.
  • Indicate the method for students to turn in the assignment electronically. Assignments should not be dependent on students having access to a printer.
  • Students should be made aware that the assignment will count for credit or extra credit in advance. Include due dates on all assignments.  
  • Respond to emails on a timely basis.
  • Communicate with students and parents about participation and progress.

FAQS FOR PARENTS/STUDENTS

Q: What about a student who does not have home internet access?
A: If you do not have internet access at home but have wireless access most wireless companies offer a straight-forward and easy way to create a ‘hotspot’ that will allow you to access the internet. Directions can be found here.  Comcast will also be offering free internet for 60 days which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. 

Q: Should a student expect an assignment in each of their classes each day?
A: Yes, teachers are expected to provide 3-4 activities/assignments per week that take students 4.5-5 total hours per week to complete.  While some assignments may be longer-term, we are encouraging a daily check-in/reflection assignment. Due dates will be clearly posted in Google Classroom.

Q: How will I be graded?

A: All due dates will be posted in Google Classroom and the teacher will explain how completing assignments will be included in the student’s grade.  Teachers will provide weekly feedback and enter assignment grades in ASPEN.  Although grades are important we are encouraging families to focus on learning and remaining on pace with class content. 

Q: Will students have "homework"?
A: Our teachers know that the overall workload must be manageable for a student's overall load, while moving student learning forward. The work that is assigned each day will likely include both work that needs to be turned by a specific deadline and work that is needed to prepare for the next day.

Q: Should teachers and students be available throughout the day?
A: Unless a student or a teacher is ill, they should check and respond to Google Classroom and email messages periodically throughout the day. Questions about daily work should be submitted to teachers by 12:00 p.m. to give them time to respond so the student can meet the assignment deadline.

Q: What should I do if I am having trouble accessing material?
A: Many of our teachers and students are engaging in remote learning for the first time, so please contact the teacher and have patience.