Over the next four weeks, NEWESD staff will support schools throughout NorthEast Washington via live Zoom trainings, live office hours, and online collaboration opportunities. Each week will focus on a different major concept. Remote Learning Teams will join in conversations and planning sessions that focus on delivery of high quality distance learning programs, including materials that can be provided in paper format.

After each guided session, teams will work independently to make decisions and complete action steps in advance of the next session. Each week will offer resources, readings, and additional materials via the Schoology learning management system, and each item posted there will offer opportunities for online discussion and networking. Teams can seek additional guidance and help via live office hours, offered twice each week.

At the conclusion of this series, you and your teams will have developed an implementation plan with concrete structures for staff, students, and parents, so that your entire community can thrive in a distance learning environment. Your plan will specifically focus on social, emotional, and academic needs, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary projects and student choice.

We encourage you to identify Remote Learning Teams that will guide your approach to distance learning. The ideal learning teams will be composed of staff who put plans into practice. Team makeups may include:

• grade level teams plus relevant specialists (i.e. 3rd grade teachers, plus SpEd, PE, Art)
• building leadership plus department chairs, TOSAs, and/or instructional coaches
• cross-district staff focusing on a systemwide approach
• multi-grade vertical teams and curriculum specialists

Phase 1 - Creating a Learning System

May 11, Zoom Training 10:30am-11:30am

May 14, Zoom Office Hours, 1:00pm-1:45pm

May 15, Zoom Office Hours, 9:30am-10:15am

Action Period Steps:

• Confirm your core tools for teaching and learning
• Develop scheduling and engagement plans

Phase 2 - Creating Collaborative Learning Teams

May 18, Zoom Training 10:30am-11:30am

May 21, Zoom Office Hours, 1:00pm-1:45pm

May 22, Zoom Office Hours, 9:30am-10:15am

Action Period Steps:

• Increase the skills needed for effective communication and collaboration
• Create a team with a student-centered focus

Phase 3 - Integrated Content and Project-Based Learning

May 26, Zoom Training 10:30am-11:30am

May 28, Zoom Office Hours, 1:00pm-1:45pm

May 29, Zoom Office Hours, 9:30am-10:15am

Action Period Steps:

• Explore best practices for project-based learning
• Connect with colleagues to develop a cross-disciplinary project

Phase 4 - Student Choice and Assessing Work

June 1, Zoom Training 10:30am-11:30am

June 4, Zoom Office Hours, 1:00pm-1:45pm

June 5, Zoom Office Hours, 9:30am-10:15am

Action Period Steps:

• Identify options for providing a menu of student activities
• Explore ways that students can show competency using standards-based grading

The fee for each person is $50. Fees cover 60 minutes of training on each of the four Zoom Training days identified above, plus an additional 90 minutes of optional support (45 minutes offered Thursday afternoons, 45 minutes offered Friday mornings), as well as access to a Schoology course providing additional resources and opportunities for discussion and networking.  Zoom links for each session will be distributed after registration.