Harrison Park Elementary School

March 24, 2020

Penn-Trafford Elementary Families,

Hope you and your family are doing well!  Now that we have been granted permission to begin implementing contingency plans due to the physical shut down of schools, Penn-Trafford Schools will begin offering flexible instruction to our students.  Teachers are in the process of developing plans to provide students with sufficient instruction while we are under these health restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. Each teacher will send out an introductory email or message to students with their online expectations by the end of the week.  Also, students in grades K-2 will be receiving an instructional packet in the mail by the end of this week. K-2 teachers will be referencing this packet in their communication to students. In addition, teachers will assign ONE task to be completed before Friday, March 27 to test our distance learning communication between school and home.  Beginning Monday, March 30, students will then be given a normal online/packet course load until further notice or we get more direction from PDE. 

Please review the following for more information pertaining to the school shut down:

School Website

Students will be directed to find all online resources for each class by going to teacher websites, accessed on the school website.  Lesson plans, supplemental resources, and links utilized by the teacher will be located on your teachers’ website starting Friday, March 27.  If your teacher previously used Google Classroom before the break, they will continue to utilize that as their main platform.

Instruction

You will be receiving communication from your teacher outlining instruction/expectations for the course by Wednesday, March 25th.  All teachers are asked to consider the quantity of work and assignments given to students. We want to provide a transition to the online learning environment so they will be designing assignments that will enable students to become comfortable with the online platform that they chose during the first few days.  Google Classrooms, as well as other online platforms, will be utilized by teachers to push content out to students. Teachers will continue to develop lessons based on our Board approved curriculum.

Students should check daily for online assignments and feel comfortable emailing or communicating with teachers for clarification. Students are required to meet deadlines per teacher expectations. 

Communication

The building will physically be shut down during this flexible instruction.  A student/parent’s primary contact when they have questions is directly with the teacher.  Guidance counselors will also be available via email if you have questions or need additional support. 

 PowerSchool

PowerSchool will continue to be used for grades.  Parents and students can continue to use this portal to access their grades:  https://powerschool.penntrafford.org/public/home.html

Office Hours Protocol

Elementary teachers will maintain office hours of 8:00-9:00 am and 3:00-4:00 pm.  Beyond their designated office hours, students/parents can request “appointments” and teachers can set up a time for chats, hangouts or other modes of communication.  This may include any of the following according to the teacher’s individual preference:

• Email Correspondence
• Google Meeting/Hangout
• Providing feedback through Google Classroom or other platforms.

Special Education Services and 504 Plans

Special education services will continue to be provided for students with Individualized Education Plans.  Special education teachers will communicate with regular education teachers to coordinate the continued support of IEP goals, accommodations, and modifications of instruction using the online platform.  Assignments and assessments will be modified to meet the needs of individual students. IEP meetings will be held via conference calls. Please contact your child’s roster teacher with specific questions.

PSSA Exams

All PSSA tests have been canceled for this school year.  

Technology

If you are having any technical issues with your Chromebook grades 3-5, please complete the form notifying our IT Department: Technology Support

Events

Until further notice, all facilities continue to be closed and all events have been postponed during the closure.  We will continue to give you updates on all events as they become more definitive.

We continue to be proud of the PT community and how we always find a way to come together during difficult times.  We once again thank our teachers for their dedication to our students. We ask families to please be patient as we move into this flexible instruction model.     

Stay healthy,

Elementary Principals