LPCSC eLearning updates
LPCSC eLearning updates
As LaPorte Community Schools begin a new school year, the eLearning initiative will look a bit different from years past.
LPCSC started last year with two scheduled eLearning days in order to get schools and families familiar with the process. After receiving a large amount of positive feedback, the corporation has decided to schedule more days for the 2019 – 2020 school year.
One of the first changes this year is the corporation will use eLearning days for snow make up days. The days currently scheduled as snow make up days are Jan 20th, Feb 17th, Mar 23rd, Apr 1st. If school is canceled for any reason, students will not report to school, but instead make up the missed day on one of the four listed dates.
As of this school year, there will be four planned eLearning days for professional development: October 2th, November 6th, February 5th, and March 4th. While students are at home, teachers will be at school working in professional learning communities (PLCs) or diving into workshops on best practices.
“Our first professional development day is already planned corporation-wide and is focusing on childhood trauma and strategies for working with students who have had childhood trauma,” Elizabeth Antos, Kingsbury Elementary principal, said.
Right now, LPCSC is focused on planned eLearning days, although moving to inclement weather days is a possibility. The corporation has hesitated with it because of the troubles people may have, including bad weather, power outages, or bad service. Having planned days allows parents to plan childcare, device usage, and assignment completion ahead of time. Teachers are required to have the assignment posted by 5:00 p.m. the day before the planned eLearning days.
On an eLearning day, if a student is in need of assistance with his or her course work, he or she may send communication to their teacher through Canvas (grades 6-12) and Google Classroom (grades K-5). Staff is required to reply between 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Since elementary students do not take home any devices at the end of the school day, families have to check one out if needed.
Each elementary school may have different ways to check out a device, contact the main office for more information. There will be an update on the eLearning site soon in regards to fixing a few tweaks.
If WiFi is an issue in your household, there are many other places that offer free service including, the public library, Starbucks, or The Hot Spot Cafe.
On the LaPorte Community School Corporation website, under the eLearning category, there is a link to a powerpoint for any questions parents may have along with a list of important dates and even an eLearning guide.