JUNIOR SCHOOL LEARNING CONTINUANCE PLAN Our ‘learning@home’ guide for Junior School student’s short term home isolation. Term 1, 2022
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OVERVIEW Term One, 2022 As our community rides out this latest wave of the epidemic, the ever-changing social and political landscapes are extremely hard to predict. However, in all likelihood, we are entering a season whereby students and staff might have to isolate at home for a short period of time because they have become unwell, been identified as a ‘close contact’ or reside with an identified close contact or vulnerable family member. It is therefore possible that a student or staff member will be unable to be on campus for a short or extended period of time. Learning@home The Junior School Learning Continuance Plan (LCP) will take the form of a developmentally appropriate task matrix for each of our year levels. Included in the matrix for each year level is a combination of easily accessible resources, online tools and links, and home-based activities to support and enhance every learning experience. Our aim is to ensure that, where possible, students who are well and isolating at home are engaged cognitively, physically, and socially throughout each week. Due to the unpredictable nature of potential absences each online task matrix will be updated each week by class teachers to ensure that matrix activities reflect and align with classroom curriculum activities. In many cases, due to timing and QLD Health restrictions once a period of isolation begins, it may not be possible for school devices to be taken home. This means that most Junior School students will rely on each family’s current access level and home device. Instances where this proves an additional challenge will be addressed on a case by case basis with those families. We have worked to create a dynamic task matrix for each year level in an effort to provide both structure and flexibility whilst accessing ‘learning@home’. Our teachers and leadership team will be contactable during the school day to support, encourage and problem solve as required. Please note that whilst teachers are contactable during the school day, they may take up to 24 hours to respond to requests.
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Please find below a sample year level task matrix. These will be updated weekly.
Student Absences In all likelihood, we are entering a season whereby students and staff might have to isolate at home for a short period of time because they have become unwell, been identified as a ‘close contact’ or reside with an identified close contact or vulnerable family member. It is therefore possible that a student or staff member will be unable to be on campus for a short or extended period of time. •
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If your child is well, and cleared to come on site, they will be in a well-ventilated classroom. We will not be holding large gatherings of students inside for the time being and encouraging optimal hygiene practices throughout the day. Students in Years 3-6 are encouraged to wear appropriate masks when physical distancing is not possible inside classrooms. If your child is required to stay at home due to a close contact isolation they will be able to access a task matrix on their class FIDO page. A series of tasks, aligned with school-based curriculum activities, will be set each week within the matrix. Class teachers will also connect with isolating students at least once per week. If your child is unwell the focus of their time at home should be on recovering and resting. Once your child is feeling well enough they are encouraged to read regularly and recommence their learning via the class FIDO page matrix when appropriate. We will adjust expectations around class work and assessment depending on individual circumstances.
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If a teacher becomes unwell a different teacher might be assigned to support your child/ren until such time as that teacher is able to return. As ever, we will be seeking and relying on your feedback as the term unfolds and will continually evaluate our approach in these unusual circumstances.
PRE PR TO YEAR 2
J u n i o r S c h o o l l e a r n i n g @ h o m e o v e r v i ew Matrix tasks
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A series of tasks will be provided for most classroom key curriculum subjects.
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Some tasks may involve utilising online resources and links will be provided.
How will students access • the learning plan for their year level/class? •
Our learning@home plan will be accessible to students through FIDO. An overview of our plan is also provided for Parents on FIDO. Access is via the tiles under our ‘Online Learning’ page.
How often can parents/students expect to hear from you?
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Class Teachers will provide contact or support as required or when requested.
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Teachers will undertake ‘check in’ meetings with families isolating at home once per week.
If you or your child are experiencing difficulties, what do you do?
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In the first instance, contact your class teacher by email or contact the Junior School office at jsreception@asas.qld.edu.au
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Each class teacher will be checking messages intermittently between 8:00am and 4pm each school day. Families are encouraged to work through the work set for the day and compile one email with any queries. Class teachers will endeavour to respond to messages
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If it is in regard to a wider ranging or technical problem please email helpdesk@asas.qld.edu.au
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A team of people will receive this email and act on your situation.
And remember…. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Dr. Seuss
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WORK SPACES Creating a safe, practical, comfortable workspace at home for students will really help in developing effective routines and a positive attitude to learning. Learning spaces should be quiet, calm and free from unnecessary disruptions. Learning spaces should be in a public/family space, not in a bedroom. Having everything you need ready for learning will also help get tasks started quickly and efficiently. For example: • • • • •
Have a good supply of stationery including paper, sharpened pencils and working pens. A good light source will ensure you are not straining your eyes. If you wear glasses have them ready. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Take regular breaks from sitting – maybe do some stretching or a quick walk around the house about every 20 minutes.
S A F E T Y O N LI N E Students at All Saints have a very good understanding of their rights and responsibilities in regard digital citizenship and online safety. It is vital that our students maintain safe and responsible use of technologies whilst participating in their online learning environment. This includes appropriate use of digital platforms, privacy and respectful communication. With students potentially spending a little more time than usual online it is absolutely essential that parents are mindful of ensuring safe online practices: • • • •
Access to devices should always be with an adult present and supervising. No devices in bedrooms. During Microsoft Teams sessions students should be dressed appropriately in school sports uniform or smart, casual wear. This means no PJ’s, bathers etc. Manage / put limits on screen time in addition to LCP time.
S T U D E N T W E L L BE I NG Parents are urged to be mindful that being confined to home for an extended period can cause stress and conflict for any of us. Our Junior Schoolers place great emphasis on their interactions with friends and peers and will miss these. Some suggestions for looking after your children during this period may include: •
Encouraging your child to exercise regularly, even better, exercise as a family. Dancing, bouncing on a trampoline or playing tag in the back yard are great ways to distract a mind from boredom and worries.
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Encouraging your children to keep in touch with friends and family via phone or email. Try using Skype as a family to speak with friends and catch up.
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Taking the opportunity to talk to your whole family about what is happening at an age appropriate level. Understanding the situation will most likely reduce their anxiety and allow them to be critical 5
consumers of the information surrounding the current health crisis. This will, of course, look very different across the Junior School years. •
Helping your children to consider how they have coped with difficult situations in the past and reassuring them that they will cope with this situation too.
E A L S U P PO R T Our English as an Additional Language team will complete short Microsoft Teams sessions focusing on oral language, vocab, grammar etc, with any EAL students once per week. They will also liaise with parents and teachers regarding appropriate/available times to ensure there are not clashes and to see if students are able to cope with EAL support on top of year level expectations. Alternatively, sometimes these sessions may replace year level tasks.
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