Today's blog will provide some online resources as well as some assessment updates.
Online Resources
First and foremost, this is a challenging time for everyone. We are feeling it at home, work, and with our family and personal relationships. Iowa Crisis Chat is a service of CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank, formerly The Crisis Center, a volunteer-driven organization that provides non-judgmental support for individuals facing emotional crisis. Their highly trained volunteers and staff are available from 9:00am to 2:00am central time, seven days a week. If it is outside of our hours of operation, the following link will connect you to Your Life Iowa‘s 24/7 chat. You can also call 24/7 at 1-855-325-4296.
This service is available to everyone, so feel free to also share with students and families.
Thankfully, there are a number of online resources available to teachers and families. We appreciate how you have been thoughtful in sharing resources with families so as to not overwhelm them during these challenging times. A big THANK YOU to our teacher librarians who have put together some resources for students and teachers to support reading during this school closure.
The teacher librarians set up FlipGrid boards so teachers can read aloud to students (and still align with copyright guidelines!) Many stories have already been uploaded and enjoyed by students. Below are the links for each building. You may also toggle between schools and enjoy all of the videos if you would like!
All SEP - https://flipgrid.com/sep2020
Altoona - https://flipgrid.com/
Centennial - https://flipgrid.com/
Delaware - https://flipgrid.com/
Four Mile - https://flipgrid.com/
Mitchellville - https://flipgrid.com/
Runnells - https://flipgrid.com/
Willowbrook - https://flipgrid.com/
Reading Resources for Students, Parents and Teachers
- A collection of titles and resources for PK-12 students.
- Click on this link to sign up. If you need help you can also watch this video on how to access these titles.
- A collection of nonfiction texts for PK-8 Spanish texts are also available. Just click on the link then choose the book you would like to read online.
- User: info@knowbuddyresources.com Password: KNOWBUDDY
- Videos of authors and celebrities reading picture books. No account or log-in needed. New content added monthly.
- Audiobooks for all ages, some available in Spanish. Fiction and nonfiction available. Listen directly from the link on computers, chromebooks, or smartphones, no account or log-in needed.
- Nonfiction and fiction ebooks and audiobooks for elementary, middle grade and high school students. Simply click the link and scroll down to choose which collection you wish to view. Read on computers, chromebooks and smartphones. No account or log-in needed.
- Nonfiction and fiction ebooks and audiobooks for all ages. Read on computers, chromebooks and smartphones. Login with Heartland username and password for your school.
- Nonfiction and fiction audiobooks for all ages. Listen on computer, chromebooks and smartphones. Login with Heartland AEA username and password for your school.
Reading resources for teachers
In addition, Heartland AEA has made some resources available to school districts:
Library & Digital Resources
Mental & Behavioral Health
Technology
PLEASE NOTE: For those of you who are using Zoom, they have adjusted settings to provide more privacy and align with FERPA guidelines when using this tool with students. Be sure to review these revised settings on the document below.
Again, we invite you to be selective with these resources...both in using and sending to families. Most are appreciating fewer links and more description on how they might be used.
Assessment Updates
The DE will be applying for a one year waiver for federal assessments. This includes ISASP, ELPA 21, and DLM.
ELPA21
If school resumes for the 2020 school year, the testing window will be closed. Please return any testing materials using the provided shipping label. Those who completed the assessment will be able to have it scored, and these results may be used for placement decisions. The results are due to arrive mid-May. If students did not complete the assessment, please code them with a "6" for district logistical issues. If we do return to school, screening assessments will still be required. Further guidance regarding placement decisions and untested English learners will be coming soon.
DLM
The administration of the Dynamic Learning Maps will be waived for the 2020 spring window. Please destroy all secure testing material following DLM policy. For data-based decisions, please refer to the completed assessment results from fall 2019.
FAST for Math and Reading
No decision has been made for the spring testing window for FAST for Math and Reading. If we return to school on April 13th, progress monitoring requirements will resume on April 20th.
Conditions for Learning Survey
No decision has been made for the Conditions for Learning survey and that guidance will be coming soon.
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