Quote for the Day

"Learning isn't something that is done to you; it is something you do." -- Andy Hunt

Updated Schedule

Dear Families,

Per our promise to you, and because we are constantly evolving and refining, please see the current draft of the Walgrove Elementary Schedule of Teachers' Virtual, Technological Offerings, which takes effect tomorrow. This is a working document that we will spend this week fine tuning.

Please know the following:

• These are just the online/technological offerings. They DO NOT REQUIRE student participation
• You may still complete ONLY the no-tech lesson plan that was handed out on March 12
• You may opt to complete PART of the no-tech lesson plan that was handed out on March 12
• You may opt to complete NONE of the no-tech lesson plan that was handed out on March 12
• We are merely offering you OPTIONS because each of you has a different situation and a different comfort level with open-ended Constructivism and/or with technology AND/OR you have a different desire for your children and the number of hours they cogitate in front of a screen. Some of you who are working all day on your own device would be happy for your older kiddos to do the same. Others have the time and opportunity to do something entirely different. We are all in a different section of the same boat
• When you do participate in a Zoom class (or similar), please refrain from interjecting. Let the teacher lead (even if they misstep) and let the students do their best. The purpose is not a perfect lesson. The purpose is human connection
• With regard to Office Hours, please know that the Office Hours are meant to ensure that teachers do not feel compelled to respond to emails, phone calls, text messages or other forms of contact 24/7. While you can certainly email teachers whenever it is convenient for you, the only time you should expect a prompt response is during Office Hours

Please also know that tomorrow at 11 am, Superintendent Beutner will make an announcement. I have no idea what it will contain. I do know that no matter what, we at Walgrove will continue to do our very best to bring to your kiddos a virtual education that is as full of heart and love as our brick and mortar education. 

Thank you, and stay safe!

Plan Moving Forward

Dear Families,

As we extend the school closure to May 1, please know that we are in the process of creating the following, which should be in place by the end of this week:

• Clear master schedule that outlines when each teacher will be offering live instruction, office hours and more. This includes academic instruction in the core subject areas of English, ELD and math, and our unique programs, such as the STEAM Studio with Francesca and Johnny B, Theater with Donzell, PE with Coach Rachel, Storytime with Ms. Barbara, the Edible Garden with Farmer Matt, etc...
• Clear plan for support services, such as RSP and small group instruction with aides and TAs
• Times to come work in the Wildlands or the Edible Garden (one family at a time)
• Clear learning objectives for all students so that they know what is expected of them and what they should be focusing on (starting with high school seniors)
• Clear system of providing students with feedback on their work, evaluating student work, assessing student skills and parental documentation of student work
• Social Emotional Learning supports
• District recommended screen time for students (each student may vary):
• TK-K: 1 hour per day
• Gr 1-3: 2 hours per day
• Gr 4-5: 3 hours per day
• Gr 6-12: 4 hours per week per subject area

The District's primary mission, currently, is to get technology into the hands of every student, focusing first and foremost on high school students and students with the greatest need. 

Therefore, please know the following:

Wednesday, March 25 will be another day of device check-out for those families who need a device.

Thursday, March 26 will be a day for teachers to come onto campus (by appointment) to retrieve their own devices from their classroom and for parents to pick up materials in the Teacher's Lounge (not items from the classrooms). 

Additional days for device check-out will be added as needed, so long as we are allowed to go onto campus for such a purpose.

Deep-cleaning of all rooms is currently underway. 

Upcoming Days to Note:

Friday, March 27 - Teacher PD Day. No teachers will be teaching live, as they will instead be engaged in an all-day Professional Development and Grade Level Planning experience.

Monday, March 30 - Thursday, April 2 - Minimum Days all week, which means that students will be expected to complete less school work, and teachers will be expected to engage in 2 hours of PD and/or Grade Level Planning each day.

Friday, April 3 - Cesar Chavez holiday observed. NO SCHOOL. 

Monday, April 6 - 10 - SPRING BREAK.

Monday, April 13 - Friday, April 17. Virtual school resumes at full tilt in accordance to the master schedule and newly laid out learning objectives.

Here is a TIMELINE of events so far:

• Thursday, March 12, we handed out a tech-free, but tech-possible, school-wide lesson plan to all TK-5 students in the regular curriculum and posted it online just in case schools would close the next day or thereafter
• Friday, March 13, it was announced that school would indeed close for two weeks
• Saturday-Sunday, March 14-15 we discussed, and parents set up: Venmo @WalgroveCares
• Monday, March 16, parents and I distributed books, food and gift cards to families in need
• Tuesday, March 17, parents and I distributed books, food and gift cards to families in need
• Mon-Friday, March 16-20, parents used the lesson plan (and sample schedule and grading rubric) as touchstones, while teachers provided additional guidance and support using a variety of methods (while they taught their own children and worked to set up systems for virtual instruction moving forward)
• Friday, March 20, Ms. Lettieri, a parent volunteer, Mike and I checked-out devices to approximately 40 families
• Monday, March 23, the Superintendent gave an address, notifying us that schools would be closed and instruction would be virtual through May 1, and that greater structure and clarity would be forthcoming 
• Tuesday, March 24, all schools in Local District West are having staff meetings to share some of what has so far been decided with regard to structure and clarity
• Wednesday, March 25, Ms. Lettieri and I will check-out more devices to families
• Thursday, March 26, teachers and parents will be allowed onto campus by appointment to pick up certain materials
• Friday, March 27, students will work independently while teachers engage in all-day Professional Development
• Monday, March 30 - Thursday, April 2, students will enjoy minimum days all day (at the discretion of their families) while teachers each spend 2 hours per day engaged in PD
• Friday, April 3 is Cesar Chavez holiday, observed. No school
• Mon-Fri, April 6-10 SPRING BREAK
• Mon-Fri April 13 - 17 Virtual school will continue per the master schedule

Superintendent Beutner's March 23 Address

Watch Superintendent Beutner's address here at 11 am Monday, March 23, 2020:
https://www.lausd.net/

COVID-19 School Closure, School-Wide Lesson Plan and Resources

Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, LAUSD schools will be CLOSED March 16-March 27, 2020. (Cesar Chavez Day, observed, is April 3, and Spring Break is April 6-10.)

So that your children may continue their learning, you may access the no-tech-required, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), standards-based lesson plan for Walgrove students in grades TK-5 here:

WALGROVE LESSON PLAN GRADES TK-5

WALGROVE LESSON PLAN GRADING RUBRIC

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

Lessons plans for students in the Alternative Curriculum in rooms 2 and 6 are in Mr. Stansbury and Ms. Rose's Dropbox and/or Schoology folders. There are additional resources here:

ALT CURRICULUM, RM 2 AND RM 6 - ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

If you have questions about any of the lessons, feel free to email your teacher or me at andrea.kittelson1@lausd.net. You may also contact my cell at (323) 363-1934. 

During this time (03/13 onward), students who are not at school will NOT be marked absent.

If you need access to resources, such as books, food and other materials, Superintendent Beutner is setting up resource centers across the city that will be open starting Wednesday, March 18, and, as well, we are planning to set up a book and food bank at Walgrove starting Monday, March 16. 

I will share with you more details, as they emerge.

Thank you for your collaboration, and may you continue to be safe and happy!

INFO ON THE 60+ GRAB AND GO RESOURCE CENTERS

LAUSD READING RESOURCES

RECURSOS DE APRENDIZAJE EN LINEA

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COVID-19 Info and Potential Virtual Learning Lesson Plan

SCHOOL IS IN SESSION; however, should this change, and should school become virtual, like your typical Independent Study, here is the lesson plan that we will use for ALL students in grades TK-5, save for those students in the Alternative Curriculum classes (Rm 2 and Rm 6).

Because this lesson plan was designed according to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), there are access points for all students, including students with IEPs, students in GATE, students with IEPs who are also in GATE, and more.

Moreover, this lesson plan does NOT require access to technology. While it MAY include technology, if you prefer, it is not dependent upon technology.

WALGROVE LESSON PLAN

For updates regarding COVID-19, visit lausd.net or call the hotline: (213) 443-1300.

Here, as well, are district handouts you might find helpful.