Milford Schools Answer All Questions Concerning Distance Learning

MILFORD, CT — Superintendent of Schools Anna Cutaia has posted a letter answering several questions concerning how distance learning will operate and when the last day of school will be.

Here is her full letter:

Dear Milford Public Schools Staff and Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are well and taking care of yourselves and each other. Based on our district’s current technology capability, we are fortunate to be able to implement a distance learning environment. Distance learning is a way of learning outside of the school building without being in continuous face-to-face contact with a teacher in the classroom.

For Milford Public Schools students, distance learning will happen primarily through Google Classroom, Google Meet, and/or Google Hangouts. By putting a distance learning plan in place we are able to provide some structure and guidance for teachers, children, and families. We are also able to help your children continue to connect with one another while supporting ongoing learning in the days ahead. As communicated in earlier messages, Milford Public Schools is implementing different phases of online teaching and learning. You will receive additional information from your building principals and your child’s teachers as we move forward together. We appreciate your partnership as we work together to learn a new way of “schooling.”

Below is what families and students can expect during the different phases:

Phase 1: Online Learning Website (March 17th-20th) Students will: ● Access the Online Learning Resources. ● Complete the suggested activities. Students can access resources and materials by subject and grade level. *Students are not expected to submit these assignments to their teachers. However, students are expected to keep themselves engaged to maintain their academic skills using the grade level choice board and department learning activities.

Phase 2: Transition to Online Teaching and Learning (Beginning March 23rd) Students will: ● Log into Google Classroom and engage/complete posted activities/assignments. ● Complete assignments provided through Google Classroom by assigned due date/time. ● Adhere to the honor system for completing all work. ● Reach out to teachers and classmates for support via e-mail using teachers assigned @milforded.org email.

Phase 3: Interactive Online Teaching and Learning (Please note that Phase 3 is in development and subject to change - implementation date TBD) Students will: ● Continue with Phase 2 expectations. ● Attend online interactive sessions between teachers and classmates through online apps such as, Google Classroom, Google Meet, Gmail, and Google Calendar. ● Receive teacher feedback as they monitor individual student progress. ● Be proactive and reach out to teachers and other school staff when support is needed.

What are Google Classroom and Google Meet? ● Google Classroom provides a way for teachers to post assignments, messages, and handouts to children. ● Google Meet is a way for teachers to see and speak to the students in their classes using their devices.

What if I Need to Talk to a Staff Member at my Child’s School? ● You can email the staff member to start the conversation and you can “meet” with them through a Google Meet during a mutually-agreed time. ● Here is a link to the Milford Public Schools Staff Directory

Virtual Workshops for Staff

While the Milford Public Schools have been using the Google Suite for over six years now, in order to best prepare for these online opportunities for our young people, staff will be engaging in virtual workshops to continue to extend their learning. These online workshops are being offered throughout this week. It is exciting to know that our students and staff are all engaging in virtual learning together!

Virtual Meetings for Staff

As mentioned in yesterday’s letter, we are launching an entire PK-12 school system online in about a week’s time. Administrators have been busy laying out plans for whole school virtual operations. These operations will involve lots of planning which includes virtual whole school, department and grade level meetings all occurring this week. We are doing our best to ensure alignment across the system. There is a learning curve in most of this and we look to all of our stakeholders for feedback and patience as we work each day to meet all student and staff needs.

Online Distance Learning per the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE)

Guidance from the CSDE is directing all districts to shift from what was previously understood as ‘supplemental’ learning to ‘distance learning,’ which is intended to serve as an alternative to learning in a ‘school house.’ We will engage students with the activities that were launched this week and engage in Phase 2 on Monday, March 23, 2020. The goal is to keep our students’ brains active and growing.

What is the Last Day of School?

Based on an announcement made on Monday evening by Dr. Miguel Cardona, the Connecticut Commissioner of Education, the state has decided to honor the last school date as scheduled by school districts prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. For us in Milford, this means our last day of school will be June 11, 2020. (To sign up for Milford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Food Service ‘Grab and Go’ Program

Today was the first day of our breakfast and lunch meal packs ‘Grab and Go’ Program and I am pleased to say it went very smoothly. Based on continued expected demand, we decided to alter the pick-up schedule slightly.

Here’s how it will go for the rest of the week: Wednesday: Food pick-up (1 day’s supply) at Jonathan Law High School (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.) Food pick-up (1 day’s supply) at East Shore Middle School (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.) Thursday: Food pick-up (3 day’s supply), JLHS (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.) Food pick-up (3 day’s supply), ESMS (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.) If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Eileen Faustich at efaustich@milforded.org.

Chromebook Pick-Up

We continue to distribute Chromebooks to our PK/K students and those who have not been assigned one yet, as well as solve any issues with malfunctioning Chromebooks already in possession of our students. Parents may pick-up/drop off Chromebooks with members of our IT team for the rest of the week from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The pick-up area is located in the Parsons parking lot next to the Gymnasium entrance. Questions and concerns may be made via email at computerhelpdesk@milforded.org. At this time, more than ever, we recognize the power of community, albeit online.

The spirit of our Milford Public Schools Team, collectively, will be a source of strength and hope for each one of us. Wishing you and those you hold most dear continued health and well-being.

Sincerely, Anna Cutaia, Ed.D. Superintendent