Happy Birthday today, Jillian, AliAlreda & Fahed! I hope your special day is great! You all share a birthday with my youngest nephew, Jacob, who turns 6 today!
Just a reminder…tomorrow is Mother’s Day! Make a card, plan a nice breakfast (or other meal if you’re a good cook!), make some cookies, bake some brownies, or just do something to help your momma out on her special day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Thuraya!!!!
Please make sure that if you have any work that you have not turned in that you complete it and let me know as soon as possible. Thanks so much for those of you who consistently remain on top of your work, and for those of you who are trying your best to get started!
Live Session today at 1pm in iLearn. When you enter the meeting, choose the microphone option so that you can speak if you want to! All microphones will be muted at the start of the meeting. We will discuss this week’s reading and help answer any questions you have about the text or assignments.
All of week 7 assignments are due tomorrow! All assignments can be found in iLearn under the week 7 section. There are 3 graded assignments (vocabulary, symbolism, comprehension questions). You will also receive credit for attending at least 1 live session.
Please remember that if at any time you have questions, I am here for you! Just email me at wootonj@dearbornschools.org.
Live Session today at 1pm in iLearn! Hope to see you there 🙂
This week we are reading Summer 1934 in Out of the Dust. It’s a very important section, please make sure to read (or listen to it). All links to assignments are in iLearn! All work is due by Friday.
Also, thanks to the students who have subscribed to my YouTube channel. I think I’m at 4 subscribers, so that pretty much means I’m famous. 😉
Reminder: All weekly work is due tomorrow!
The Live session is not mandatory since we are giving it last minute. It can only help you if you can make it! 🙂
Link to iLearn to view week 6 assignments: https://moodle.dearbornschools.org/login/index.php
Link to online text to read pages 35-51 (Spring 1934-Out of the Dust): https://www.btboces.org/Downloads/1_Out%20of%20the%20Dust%20by%20Karen%20Hesse.pdf
April 24, 2020
Greetings,
Since our school buildings closed on Friday, March 13th there have been thousands of positive interactions between students and teachers via phone, e-mail, and on-line. This is why I am so deeply troubled and concerned about a few individuals who have taken advantage of our new school environment, made poor choices, and become disruptive to the learning process.
These disruptions occurred at the middle school level while teachers were trying to provide instruction to students during a Google Meeting. Unfortunately, these disruptions crossed a line and became threatening and obscene. It has also been discovered that, in some cases, students willingly gave their user information and password to these individuals allowing them to gain access to the meetings. Students are responsible to protect the confidentiality of their district issued accounts and passwords. It is a direct violation of district guidelines and protocol to share passwords with anyone and we will not tolerate those violations as we ensure the security of our network in order to protect our students.
The behaviors that these students exhibited are not acceptable at any time but especially now, as we all deal with a worldwide crisis, the district will not permit this type of disruption to learning. It is our responsibility to protect instruction and we will be enforcing every disciplinary action allowed by our Student Code of Conduct. For those individuals who violated the law, we will involve the Dearborn Police to issue tickets, and if needed, take further and more serious legal action.
Although teachers and students have been safely using Google Meetings, I asked our Instructional Technology Department to temporarily suspend all student access to Google Meeting on the District network. We are also working to have staff use a platform for on-line meetings that has been used in the District for several years and is specifically developed for use in the classroom. The software gives teachers more control over a meeting including ending if someone attempts to gain access without permission.
I proudly started my career as a teacher and, like many of you, my wife and I are also adjusting to working at home and supporting the learning needs of one middle school and one high school aged child. The actions that took place this week disrespects the efforts that all of you are doing to support your child’s education. As Superintendent, and as a father, I am sorry this occurred and apologize to the students who were the victims of these behaviors.
Just as my wife and I have taken an active role in our own children’s learning and on-line activities, I ask all parents to use this experience as an opportunity to talk with your child about proper behaviors while on-line including protecting your personal information such as usernames and passwords.
Since March 16th, I have heard many encouraging stories of student learning taking place at all grade levels. This past week has been a shift for all of us as we transitioned to the new learning plan. Of course there has been a learning curve for everyone involved including staff, students, and parents. We understand this transition to “Continue the Learning” is going to create frustrations and questions. Please know that our teachers, principals, and administrators are here to help all of our families during the weeks ahead. Our continued goal is to be supportive during this very difficult time. Remember, we are all in this together and together we will become an even stronger Dearborn community.
Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives.
Regards,
Glenn Maleyko, Ph.D.
Superintendent
