Distance Learning Hub For Families

Dear Students and Parents,

Happy Easter! We hope this email finds each of you and your families well. It is hard to believe that the end of our Easter Break is already here. In reviewing the survey results and verbal feedback received from students, parents and teachers, revisions have been made to the guidelines for distance learning. These updated guidelines will go into effect this Tuesday, April 21 when classes resume after the holiday.

As indicated before Easter, Bishop O'Connell has made the decision to continue with an asynchronous model for distance learning. While no formal required class meetings will be scheduled at specific times, teachers will be increasing the number of scheduled video conference opportunities to allow students to connect directly with teachers during the remaining weeks of school.

The changes below are designed to address feedback that indicates a need to provide more consistency in the distance learning experience for all students. Changes will also provide additional opportunities for students to dialog through video conferences with teachers.

NEW! Changes to Distance Learning Guidelines
Beginning Tuesday, April 21, 2020

• Teachers will post assignment due date information for each week every Monday by noon. Each week of posting will cover due dates through the next Monday. (For this week only, April 20, assignments will be posted by 5 p.m. to allow use of the teacher work day to facilitate a smooth start on Tuesday.)

• All assignments that have specific due dates will be posted on the MyDJO calendar regardless of the platform teachers are using to post additional information and provide assignment details. 

• Links to additional information required for the class (pacing guide, Google sites, IXL, Supersite, etc.) will be clearly visible on the MyDJO class pages. If students or parents are unable to access needed information, please contact teachers directly to let them know there is an issue.

• Assignments are due by 9 p.m. on the due date. 

• Expected daily work time for distance learning should not exceed five (5) hours throughout the day. Strategies to ensure that classes are appropriately paced have been discussed. Teachers that have not had the opportunity to do so, will be gathering feedback from students in their individual classes to determine if the student experience of daily work time is in line with this policy.

• During distance learning, teachers are checking email each school day at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. Teachers will respond to email within 24 hours. While teachers do their best to respond to emails as soon as possible, students should not expect an immediate response to email. Students who need an immediate response are encouraged to use office hours.

• In order to provide more connection in all classes, teachers will be using video conferencing for office hours at least one time per week or adding a video conferencing session on a designated day of the week determined by the administration. 

• Video conference sessions remain optional for students but are highly encouraged as a way for students to structure their day and have questions answered. Video conference sessions are required to be recorded and will be posted for students who are unable to attend as appropriate.

Distance Learning Guidelines that Remain in Effect

• Students are expected to participate fully in distance learning as directed by teachers in individual classes.

• If a student is unable to complete work for an extended period of time during distance learning, parents are asked to email the student's counselor. Counselors will be able to help students with an academic plan or provide additional assistance as needed.

• Academic work will be graded. Specific rubrics, methods of feedback and due dates will be determined by the teacher. 

• Email communication must take place through Bishop O'Connell email accounts.

• Remind will be the only app that teachers will use if they plan to communicate with classes by text message. 

• Teachers will continue to have "Office Hours" each day when they will be immediately available for students.

The calendar below contains a listing of the important dates related to the next six weeks of distance learning. You will also be able to find these dates on the school's main online calendar.

Distance Learning Updated Calendar

We Are Committed to Meeting Our Students' Needs

We know that distance learning challenges different families in different ways. We remain committed to meeting the needs of individual students to the best of our ability and to providing a quality Catholic education for all students. Students are encouraged to talk openly with teachers if they find workloads overwhelming. Counselors are also available every day to connect with students and assist with academic, social and emotional challenges. Both students and parents are encouraged to reach out to individual teachers, counselors, department chairs or administrators as needed.

Mr. Patton, Mr. Roque, and Mrs. Lonergan will be offering a weekly office hour for all students on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. A link to the meeting will be provided on the KnightTime page in the MyDJO portal.

We know that these continue to be challenging times for families in our community. We are grateful for the engagement of our students in the distance learning process and the hard work of our teachers. We are grateful as well for the hard work of parents and other family members who have needed to find a way to support your child's learning while navigating so many other challenges at home.

Don't Forget!

Monday is O'Connell Spirit Day! We encourage all students and families to join in the fun! Wear your blue, gray and white and share photos with us on social media or through email at communications@bishopoconnell.org. We will be sharing several fun videos with you too!

As we resume distance learning next week, we invite everyone to join us at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for our daily Mass livestream from the student chapel. View it live or recorded via our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/oconnellhs. 

Sincerely,
Meghan Lonergan
Dean of Mission

• Distance learning will challenge you as a student to engage with your course work in new and different ways. Ask questions when you have them. Teachers want to make this learning experience as positive and straightforward as possible for you.
• Students are expected to participate fully in distance learning as directed by your teachers in individual classes.
• Assignments for all classes will be posted on MyDJO.
• Students must check the MyDJO pages for all classes on a daily basis.
• Due dates for assignments will be posted at least 48 hours in advance.
• All assignments should be submitted by 9 PM on the day they are due.
• If a student will be unable to complete work for an extended period of time during distance learning, parents are asked to email the student’s counselor. Counselors will be able to help students with an academic plan or provide additional assistance as needed.
• Google platform applications will be used for assignments whenever possible.
• Students should expect to spend approximately 5 hours of time on academic work each day of the school week. Lesson plans have been designed so that the assignments for one class should take approximately 45 minutes of daily work.
• Academic work will be graded. Specific rubrics, methods of feedback and due dates will be determined by the teacher. Assignments not submitted by the due date will be marked as missing and as a “zero” in Powerschool. Initial recording of the assignment as “Collected” or “Missing” will occur within 24 hours of the deadline for the assignment. The time required for detailed feedback will vary based on the nature of the assignment. 
• Email communication must take place through Bishop O’Connell email accounts.
• Remind will be the only app that teachers will use if they plan to communicate with classes by text message. 
• During distance learning, teachers will check email each school day at 9 AM, 12 PM and 3 PM.
• Teachers will also designate a time for “Office Hours” each day when they will be immediately available for students. Teachers will define the method of communication that will be used for their office hours. These may include immediate response to email, communication through the MyDJO discussion board, or the use of Google Hangouts.
• Google Hangouts is the designated communication tool for teachers who wish to have direct communication with students during this time period. There will be no requirement for students to be logged on to Google Hangouts at a specific time to participate in an online class; however, teachers may use this feature for the optional office hour.

• Begin by going to the MyDJO page for each of your classes.
• Open the Pacing Guide for each class. Teachers have posted the communication guidelines and office hours information for each class at the top of the pacing guide. This is also where you will find your first assignment.
• Complete the first assignment once you have read the information provided by your teacher.
• The first assignment is designed to make sure that you were able to access the class page and know where to look for information going forward. If you cannot find this information, email your teacher directly and ask for help!

• Distance learning requires self-discipline. It is important to have a plan and a quiet space to work without distractions.
• Set a schedule for your day. Consider the following as you make your schedule:
  1. Note all of the office hours for your teachers in case you have questions.
  2. Schedule time to check the MyDJO pages for all of your classes both the morning and afternoon.
  3. Block work time for each individual class. You can break up work time in many different ways depending on what works for your schedule. 
  4. Schedule breaks and time to eat. You need to take care of yourself.
  5. You will have other responsibilities at home during this time. For some of you those will be extensive. Account for that time in your schedules too and communicate with your teachers and counselors if you are finding it challenging to balance all of your responsibilities.
• Reach out to your teachers when you have questions, and especially if you find yourself overwhelmed or falling behind. Teachers want to help. 
• We know that family circumstances vary greatly and that all families are adapting to the new realities of social distancing. Students and parents should reach out to your counselor or Tracey Leipold (tleipold@bishopoconnell.org), Director of Counseling, if you have any concern that your child will not be able to meet the expectations of the distance learning program over the coming weeks.

• Counselors will designate a time for “Virtual Office Hours” each day when they will be immediately available for students. Counselors will be available via email and Google Hangouts.
• Each counselor will send out an email directly to their students (and parents) with their specific hours. 
• Email communication must take place through Bishop O’Connell email accounts.
  Google Hangouts is the designated communication tool for counselors who wish to have direct communication with students during this time period.
• Counselors will have designated appointment times to continue the college readiness process, assist in course selection, and assist in any way possible with the distance learning process (time-management, communication with teachers, stress/anxiety, etc.).
• Please do not hesitate to reach out to your counselor or Ms. Leipold (tleipold@bishopoconnell.org) if you have any issues you or your parents think we should know or that we can help with. We are still here to assist you in all aspects of your daily life!