Dear TMSA’s Families,
As you are aware by now, The Main Street Academy—like much of the country—is taking proactive steps to keep students, families, and employees healthy and safe during the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic. Beginning Monday, March 16, TMSA will be closed and all activities cancelled until further notice.
This closure is intended to keep everyone healthy but does not mean that student learning stops. Teachers spent much of yesterday preparing for distant teaching and learning. Thanks to Ms. Sparks and Mr. Graham we are now experts in Google Classroom and Google Hangout. In the coming days, your students will receive assignments via Google Classroom and an opportunity to interact with their teachers, including specials, via Google Hangout or Google Meet.
If possible, please find some time for your child(ren) to read or for you to read to your child(ren) every day. In addition to reading, students should complete the printed or online assignments that teachers have prepared. Of all of the available digital resources, Google Classroom and i-Ready are critical. Students should log twenty minutes a day in i-Ready, at least ten for math and ten for reading. These activities and lessons are aligned to Georgia Standards of Excellence and are individualized according to the most recent i-Ready scores. In addition to i-Ready, students should complete activities daily in Google Classroom. Each day, TMSA teachers will check their Google Classroom pages and upload additional activities, monitor completion of student work, and respond with individual feedback to students. Most students already know how to access these resources; if not, please send an email to the teacher. Students who do not have digital access will receive paper copies of grade-level assignments or a loaner computer.
We encourage you to establish a set routine for your child’s daily learning. Routines are important during uncertain times. For example, identify a particular, quiet learning place and time for each day and subject. You might consider checking-in with them periodically and more frequently in the younger grades. Of course, remember to monitor internet activity so that children remain safe online and use digital tools appropriately.
Classroom teachers will be working remotely during this extended absence. They will communicate information about daily assignments with you via Google Classroom, Class Dojo, email distribution list, or text messages. They will make themselves available each school day at 9 am – 10 am and again 1 pm – 2 pm to address any questions students may have via Google Hangout or Google Meet. Additional times will be at the teacher’s discretion. Teachers are also going to monitor their school email and Google classrooms and should respond to each within 24 hours on school days. Please reach out to them with specific questions about activities, additional suggested assignments, or individual student concerns.
Please know that we are looking forward to being back in school in the near future. Until then, we will continue to update you and keep everyone in our thoughts. We appreciate your patience as we attempt new approaches to communication, teaching and learning. We will regularly update the school website and push out announcements via email and texts.
By the way, it's Pi Day. Here's a Pi Day song courtesy of TeachPi.org.
Ring the Bells (to the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’)
Basking in the glow
Of a Math Class holiday.
All we need to know
Is “Pi will lead the way!”
To circles we will sing,
The digits we’ll recite
The ratio gives us everything
It’s geometry’s delight! Oh!
Ring the bells, Pi Day spells
Fun with 3 – 1 – 4!
It’s the day to celebrate
That number we adore! Oh!
Ring the bells, Pi Day spells
Fun with 3 – 1 – 4!
First we take one slice of Pi
And then we ask for more!
Stay safe and be well,
Principal Parker