Dear Jacket family,
We hope this letter finds you well as we all continue to move through this unprecedented time.
Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced all schools in Mississippi will remain closed for the rest of this semester.
As school closures continue, decisions regarding the grading of assignments, promotion to the next grade level, awarding of credits, GPA calculation, and class rank must be made.
Our District’s commitment to equity and ensuring all students have an equal chance at success along with our core beliefs has guided us as we have reached student-centered decisions.
The Starkville Oktibbeha School District’s goal is to promote every student to the next grade level (or course for high school) and to ensure that no student is negatively impacted by the unforeseeable circumstances of the COVID-19 closure.
First, student participation through continued, distance learning in every class is important.
Our belief that excellent classroom teachers are essential to our students’ success has never been more valued than it is today.
Whether our schools are open or closed, our teachers continue to support our students through engaging, learning experiences that promote and encourage students to read, write, communicate and engage. Meaningful instruction is just as important now as it was prior to spring break.
While we have NOT required students to complete any assignments NOR have we required teachers to teach lessons digitally, it is very important that every student is able to participate in at-home learning.
We must do everything we can to help ALL of our students learn at home during this time. We must also realize the challenges Covid-19 presents for many families, and we must be understanding of that. The health and wellness of our students, families and employees continues to be our first priority as we support continued, distance learning at home.
Teachers should continue to check-in with their students/families during designated instructional time blocks each week to provide support and guidance and to facilitate learning at home. Teachers who have students they are unable to connect with should notify their principal immediately. Students should check-in with their teacher(s) during their designated two hour time blocks for instructional support. If you have not heard from your child’s teacher(s) regarding this designated time period, please email us at covid19@starkvillesd.com.
Here’s how you and your child can participate in learning at home:
High-Tech
If your child has access to technology at home, please ensure that they are participating through our at-home learning resources to the greatest extent possible.
- High school students should check their StarkvilleSD email daily. Instructions for accessing student email are available at www.starkvillesd.com/covid19. Click on the tab for How to Access Your Student Email.
- High school Advanced Placement students should review https://www.starkvillesd.com/covid19/ap for the latest information and instruction available regarding AP coursework and end of course exams. High school AP students should also be receiving updates, information and instructional support from their high school AP teachers.
- High school students enrolled in Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment courses should already be participating in digital/distance learning with instruction and direction from your teachers to complete required coursework.
- All other students should access the Clever platform which includes iReady, Algebra Nation, and other programs to complete online lessons as assigned by their teacher. For information about how to access your child’s Clever login, go to https://www.starkvillesd.com/covid19/learning-resources.
- Check out https://www.starkvillesd.com/covid19/wifi for a list of FREE wi-fi hot spots. Pull up outside one of these locations and connect to your wi-fi from your vehicle. No password required.
- All students should be reading a book of their choice or one assigned/recommended by their teacher during this time. Need a book? Check out our Free Little Libraries located at Greensboro Center, Starkville Sportsplex, McKee Park and/or Patriot Park.
Low-Tech
If your child does not have technology access at home, please ensure the following:
- Let your child’s teacher(s) know. We want to create a plan for how we can stay connected with you!
- Pick-up and complete paper packets at school sites.
- If you have a device, but you do not have internet connection at home, check out https://www.starkvillesd.com/covid19/wifi for a list of FREE wi-fi hot spots. You can pull up outside one of these locations and connect to your wifi from your vehicle. No password required.
- All students should be reading a book of their choice or one assigned/recommended by their teacher during this time. Need a book? Check out our Free Little Libraries located at Greensboro Center, Starkville Sportsplex, McKee Park and/or Patriot Park.
No-Tech
- Notify your child’s teacher or email covid19@starkvillesd.com.
- We will make an individualized plan for your child.
- All students should be reading a book of their choice or one assigned/recommended by their teacher during this time. Need a book? Check out our Free Little Libraries located at Greensboro Center, Starkville Sportsplex, McKee Park and/or Patriot Park.
We are here to support you and your child during this time. Please understand learning at home is NOT a 7 hour school day. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recommends 1-2 hours of instruction/school work per day for elementary students, 2-3 hours per day for middle school students and 3-4 hours per day for high school students. In addition, at least one hour a day of outside recreational time following all social distancing requirements is encouraged.
Second, we have developed a plan for 4th Nine Weeks Grades & GPA Calculations. This plan was approved as a temporary grading policy during the Starkville Oktibbeha School District Board of Trustees regular monthly meeting earlier today. You may view the policy in its entirely at the links below:
SOCSD Temporary Grading Outline - https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=46216955
SOCSD Grading Modifications by School, Grade Level - https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=46216956
As our students and families balance learning at home while working from home while also attempting to focus on their emotional health and wellness, we have determined students in grades prek-8 grades will receive a Pass (P) or Not Pass (NP) for the 4th 9 weeks. This is the most equitable option for all of our students, and it allows us to calculate grade averages based on the first three nine weeks for grades earned for awards and honors, such as honor roll and future honor society inductions.
(Keep reading below to learn about options for students who are at risk of failure to increase their grade average.)
High school students & middle school students enrolled in Carnegie unit courses (such as Algebra I or Spanish I) which award credits for graduation will receive their 3rd 9 weeks average for their 4th 9 weeks average.
High school seniors enrolled in a 9 weeks course will be contacted by their teacher for further instructions. Other high school students enrolled in a 9 weeks course will be dropped from the course and required to take it next school year.
Third, we have developed options for students who are at risk of failure who would like to try to increase their grade average. This plan was approved as a temporary grading policy during the Starkville Oktibbeha School District Board of Trustees regular monthly meeting earlier today. You may view the policy in its entirely at the links below:
SOCSD Temporary Grading Outline - https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=46216955
SOCSD Grading Modifications by School, Grade Level - https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=46216956
Several students who are at risk of failure have inquired about whether they will have an opportunity to increase their grade average for academic work completed during the 4th nine weeks. After much consideration, research and guidance, we have decided to offer students who are at risk of failure the following options:
For grades K-8, Language and Math
- Students should already be connecting with their teacher(s) for learning support at home.
- Students may complete a paper packet which is available for pick up at school sites. Students will receive communication about how to show evidence of work completed for a grade in paper packets from his/her teachers.
- Only grades earned that help improve a student’s average will be calculated into their 4th nine weeks average.
For grades 9-12
- Students should already be connecting with their teacher(s) for learning support at home.
- Students may complete a paper packet which is available for pick up at school sites. Students will receive communication about how to show evidence of work complete for a grade in paper packers from his/her teachers. Only grades earned that help improve a student’s average will be calculated into their 4th nine weeks average.
Fourth, we have developed a plan to calculate Class Rank for the SHS Class of 2020.
- For the Class of 2020 only, class rank will be calculated based on grades collected up to the 3rd nine weeks of senior year and prior.
- More information related to the Class of 2020 will be posted on our website at www.starkvillesd.com/covid19 in the coming weeks as we finalize plans for graduation and other senior recognition events.
Printed Learning At Home Packets
A new set of printed packets of instructional materials to support learning at home for our students who do not have access to appropriate and/or sufficient technology will be available for pick-up tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 10 am at each school site.
You may also access the latest packets of instructional materials online at https://www.starkvillesd.com/covid19/packets.
Long-Term Planning Note
In an effort to identify any gaps in learning that have developed as a result of the COVID-19 closure, the Starkville Oktibbeha School District is exploring summer session options for students. The District will also make curricular adjustments in the Fall 2020 semester. This will include a compacted curriculum that reviews all essential skills from the Spring 2020 4th nine-weeks and accelerated instruction plans for individual students. The District’s universal screener for all students at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year will also be used to assess each student’s needs and develop targeted plans for each child.
Final Thoughts from Your Superintendent
While nothing can replace in-person classroom instruction, our teachers have done an amazing job connecting with their students and families to share ideas for engaging classroom experiences at home. The standard for teaching excellence in our school district is incredibly high, and I cannot emphasize enough how very proud I am of the work our teachers are doing from home.
We’ve asked our teachers to use this time to connect with their students to build an even stronger school family. We want them to do what they know how to do as a teacher: love and support their students and their learning.
I know this transition has also not been easy for our parents. We are so grateful for the commitment you’ve shown to our students as your family adapts to learning at home.
Continue to pace yourselves as we shelter-in-place through April 20. We’ve asked our teachers to do the same. As parents who are managing work from home and your child’s learning from home, please remember to give yourselves some grace and flexibility as you also protect your family's physical and emotional health during this time.
We will get through this together.
Take care,
Eddie Peasant