To see a Google translation of this message in Spanish, please use the "Spanish" link at the top of this message: Utilice el enlace "Spanish" en la parte superior de este mensaje para ver la traducción de Google en español:
Dear Ballenger Creek Middle School Families,
I hope you are well--both physically and emotionally. The past several months have not been easy for many in our community. Please know that you and your children have been in my thoughts every day. I am reaching out to you to provide some details as we move forward following the Frederick County Board of Education’s decision to start the school year with full virtual instruction.
During this spring’s school building closures, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) staff gathered student, parent and educator feedback and reflected on learned experiences. As a result, FCPS has adopted enhancements that will improve the virtual learning experience for students, parents, and educators. These enhancements include the following:
Increased live digital interactions/expectations between students and educators
A single digital platform for students and parents to access instruction, communication, and feedback
Virtual courses that are more rigorous and challenging
Robust professional learning opportunities for educators to increase their skill set for teaching in a virtual environment which include on-demand professional learning videos and courses for educators
New parent resources
Student training videos that will enhance their abilities to access and learning in a virtual environment
Strategies to provide a significant focus on tending to individual student needs
Continued efforts to connect each and every child digitally
FCPS is strongly positioned to teach students in a virtual environment and is excited to start the 2020/2021 school year.
The Board of Education has charged staff to identify targeted small groups of students to participate in face-to-face instruction to support individualized educational needs, to ensure access to virtual options, and to address specific courses requiring in person instruction. More information will be provided soon to parents regarding these options. Parents/guardians will ultimately reserve the right to decline these services if they have concerns regarding their child's health in a face-to-face FCPS school building. Specific health measures will be in place to protect the health of both students and staff.
In addition, in the coming weeks you will be seeing more details about our virtual learning program, including student schedules, opportunities for extra support for all students, information about parent resources, virtual learning class expectations, information about devices should your student(s) need one, and a virtual back-to-school event. The Ballenger Creek Middle School staff is committed to providing you and your students with the best virtual learning experience that we possibly can. Thank you in advance for your support in developing plans in your family that prioritize participation in our virtual learning program whenever it is possible.
This time in our history, unimaginable for most of us just several months ago, is now our reality. While far from ideal, I know that working together we can be successful in our mission: to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of your children. If there is something that you need or if you have questions or suggestions along the way, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at school Monday through Thursday during the summer either by phone (240-236-5700) or via email (Jay.Schill@fcps.org).
Sincerely,
Jay Schill
Principal, Ballenger Creek Middle School
http://education.fcps.org/bcms
5525 Ballenger Creek Pike
Frederick, MD 21703
Phone: 240-236-5700
Fax: 240-236-5701