Distance Learning Update Middle School
April 2, 2020
Parents and families of John Rex,
Hello! The John Rex Charter School Distance Learning Plan (DLP) will launch on April 6, 2020, at 8 a.m.!
We created this DLP to support the parents and families of our John Rex community, and our teachers. Is this plan perfect? No. No plan is perfect. We will address hurdles as they come, but we are all in this together, and together we are stronger. Remember, we are all developing new capabilities and doing things we didn’t know we could do!
Below you will find our vision statement for our DLP and how each part of the vision will come to fruition. With effective and consistent communication between our students, parents/guardians, and teachers, we can make this work! The implementation dates of our DLP are from April 6 to May 8, with the last day of school being May 8th. School (from home) officially starts April 6 at 8 a.m.!
JRCS Distance Learning Plan Vision
The John Rex Staff will continue to facilitate student success through a Distance Learning Plan that will allow every student equitable access to their teacher, ample online and offline resources, packaged materials, and the technology devices needed to continue learning and practicing academic and social-emotional skills.
- Equitable Access to the Teacher: All teachers are sending you their grade level DLP to explain their grade level implementation via Class Tag. I highly encourage you to carefully read their plans and ask questions as needed. All 5-7th grade teachers will be available each weekday from 8:30-11am to support students through their Summit platform, and to hold workshops and interventions over subject-specific content. In addition, all 5-7th grade teachers will meet with their mentees once a week. All teachers will continue to stay in communication with their students and families via Class Tag, Google Hangout, Zoom, Summit Learning Platform, emails, texts, and or phone calls to support both academic and social-emotional learning.
- Online and Offline Resources: Teachers have worked very hard to research, create, produce and post online and offline resources that will support families at home during this Distance Learning Plan implementation. You can access all our materials on our website https://johnrexschool.wpengine.com/resources-2/educational-resources/
- Packaged Materials: We want to be sure every student has access to supplies and materials. If you wish to pick up printed/packaged materials and supplies for your child, please complete this survey link: https://forms.gle/ui91sryoqmHaKGv7A We are setting up a drive-thru schedule (see below) to provide an opportunity for our students to have access to all materials and supplies needed to learn from home. If you are unable to pick up materials and have no way of printing them at home, please message your child’s teacher on Class Tag and we will arrange delivery.
- Technology Devices: Most families have responded to our technology survey indicating their child has access to a device at home. If you have not responded and/or you do not have a technology device such as a tablet, Chromebook or computer, please complete this survey link: https://forms.gle/ui91sryoqmHaKGv7A and we will arrange a time for you to check out a device (see schedule below). We want to be sure every student at John Rex has access to a device, the internet and the materials and supplies needed to continue learning from home. Devices that are checked out must be returned May 11-15. All devices must be returned in the same condition as they were checked out.
In addition to supporting students and families academically, I have great news! John Rex will start food service on April 7 from 9 to 11 a.m.
EVERY child in EVERY John Rex family ages 0-18 can receive both breakfast and lunch for FREE. Everyone has experienced a loss during this time in some form or another. One way John Rex can help support your family is by providing breakfast and lunch. We REALLY hope everyone will take advantage of this service! It is for ALL families (immediate and extended), and we want to be able to provide meals for anyone who comes. This drive-thru food service will be located at the north gate facing Sheridan Avenue and will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7. All you need to do is drive up any time from 9 to 11 a.m., tell us how many children ages 0-18 you need meals for, and we will provide those meals. We will serve packaged food daily from April 7 to April 10. After that, we will serve food on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. You will be able to pick up enough breakfast and lunch meals for three days at a time starting the week of April 13. Please take advantage of this FREE service. It is for everyone in our school community.
Schedule for materials and supplies and/or technology, as well as food service:
Thursday, April 2
Middle School – Myriad Botanical Gardens circle drive
6th grade only; 8 a.m.-noon
Friday, April 3
Middle School – Myriad Botanical Gardens circle drive
7th grade only;8 a.m.-noon
Tuesday, April 7
Elementary Campus – South Gate on California
Prek, Kinder, 1st grade; 9-11 a.m.
Prek, Kinder, 1st grade; 1-3 p.m.
Elementary Campus – West Gate on Dewey
2nd-5th grade; 9-11 a.m.
2nd-5th grade; 1-3 p.m.
April 7- 10
Elementary Campus – North Gate on Sheridan Ave.
Prek-7th grade families, FOOD SERVICE; 9-11 a.m.
April 13- May 8 Mondays & Wednesdays
Elementary Campus – North Gate on Sheridan
Prek-7th grade families, FOOD SERVICE; 9-11 a.m.
Thank you for your patience during this time as we have worked to develop our Distance Learning Plan. We understand the stress every family is feeling, we feel it also. Most of us at John Rex are parents too, trying to work from home and take care of our families. Let’s trust each other to do our best as we navigate through uncharted waters. We’re all in the same boat, we all have a paddle, and if we row together, we move forward. My best advice is to allow yourself grace, hug the people in your homes, take care of one another, speak words of encouragement, use the materials and resources we’ve provided in a way that makes sense to you and your situation. Not everything has to look and sound like it would in a classroom. We believe that you are your child’s first teacher, and we are here to provide support and guidance. Keep in close contact with your child’s teacher through Class Tag. It will be the best form of communication.
Always proud to be a ROCKET!
Heather Zacarias
Interim Superintendent
John Rex Charter School
