FAMILY LEARNING PLANS
Updated Learning Plan – May 2020
ENGLISH | SPANISH
K-5 Elementary School Learning Plan
6-8/Middle School Learning Plan
St. Catherine’s Learning Plan
May 11, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The transition to remote learning has dramatically changed the way we teach and learn. Siena Catholic Schools of Racine has worked closely with the Office for Schools of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to identify a grading structure that fairly and reasonably recognizes our students’ performance during the fourth quarter of the 2019-20 school year.
Per the recommendation of the Archdiocese, for the fourth quarter of the 2019-20 school year students in first through eighth grade will receive grades of “Proficient” or “Insufficient Evidence” connected to report card standards that were taught during the quarter. While attendance and learner behaviors will not be recorded on the report card for the final quarter, we will continue to look for daily submission of evidence of learning. We need to continue to receive evidence to provide feedback and maintain meaningful student-teacher relationships.
Proficient (P): Evidence provided demonstrates consistent understanding and application of concepts and skills aligned with grade-level standards.
Insufficient Evidence (IE): Not enough evidence was produced and shared to determinewhether or not the student can demonstrate proficiency on the standard.
As a reminder, all Siena Catholic Schools Elementary specials lessons (art, music, physical education) are considered enrichment-focused and evidence of learning is not required to be submitted or graded for the remainder of the fourth quarter. Therefore, you will not see a grade for art, music, or physical education on a report card. We do think that it is important to recognize the students who have continued to complete this work as part of their education, so specials teachers will make note of achievement in PowerSchool.
Understanding that we have had to make changes in many aspects of our educational system during this pandemic, we also needed to take a step back from the traditional structures that have been used for student grading. Additionally, due to the lost instructional time, we may not have been able to cover every standard that is identified on our fourth-quarter report card. In conjunction with all five of our K-8 schools, Siena has identified which standards will be graded based on virtual instruction provided. By focusing on the standards taught and student work (evidence) provided, we can recognize student achievement without punishing those who were not able to as fully engage in remote learning.
Students in our 3K, 4K, and 5K classrooms will receive end-of-year feedback through the use of the Archdiocesan narrative report card. Students attending St. Catherine’s will continue to receive letter grades with modified expectations.
If you have any questions, please contact your principal or the Siena office. We are blessed to serve as your partner during this uncertain and challenging moment and are continuously appreciative of your collaboration and support.
Blessings in Christ,
Brenda White
President
April 30, 2020
Hello Siena elementary school families,
We continue to assess our remote learning plans and make changes as needed. Beginning on Friday, May 1, all Siena Catholic Schools Elementary Specials Lessons (Art, Music, Phy Ed) will be considered enrichment-focused and evidence of learning will no longer be required to be submitted or graded for the remainder of the 4th quarter.
Art, Music, and Phy Ed lessons will be sent out by 12 noon each Friday. There will be a weekly menu of enrichment activities that students can choose one from. Each menu should include 3-4 activities that could be completed by students across multiple grade levels, allowing families who have students at different grade levels the possibility to collaborate and learn together.
While we are changing the requirement assigned to these lessons, we do continue to believe in the value of Art, Music, and Phy Ed learning and strongly encourage students/families to continue completing this work as part of their education.
For those elementary and middle school classrooms that typically receive Spanish instruction and for all those who receive Title I Reading Instruction, your individual school will share communication regarding lesson distribution.
Have a great weekend!
Brenda White
April 17, 2020
Hello Siena families, faculty, and staff,
As you likely heard, Gov. Tony Evers has not only extended the Safer At Home order through May 26, but has closed all K-12 schools for the remainder of the academic year. As we’ve said from the beginning, our number one goal is to educate our students. We haven’t skipped a beat and will continue to use our remote learning plans for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
Siena schools remain virtually OPEN!
What does this mean for grading? Report cards? Graduation? We are continuing to look at alternatives to celebrate our students’ accomplishments and will partner with our principals, teachers, and families on appropriate, creative solutions. Our decisions will be shared as soon as possible.
Meal service will continue as scheduled! In an effort to minimize the number of trips outside the home, meals are available on Mondays and Wednesdays. Students receive two days’ worth of meals on Monday, and three days’ worth of meals on Wednesday.
John Paul II Academy
8-9 a.m. Monday and Wednesday
St. Catherine’s High School
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
The news of the Safer at Home extension was met with a variety of emotions from all of us. Please know that our school counselors are available as resources to help you and your children. Continue to communicate any concerns with school principals; they can put you in touch with the appropriate counselor.
As we plan for the end of the school year, we also move forward with summer planning. Siena Catholic Schools is once again partnering with the Center for Urban Teaching (CfUT) to offer FREE summer school programming for all students entering grades 5K-8. If the Safer From Home order is lifted, classes will run from June 25 through July 24 at St. Joseph School and include instruction in literacy, math, art, music, social studies, and science. Breakfast and lunch are included! Take advantage of this great opportunity to advance your child’s learning and enroll here.
Thank you for your ongoing efforts to partner in support of our students and their learning. We will continue to provide regular updates.
Blessings in Christ,
Brenda White
President
3.19.2020: Hello everyone! We are told that Spectrum has turned on all hotspots in the city of Racine. If you need to connect to the internet, please use this link to determine the hotspots that are nearest to you.
Previous Communications
5.11.2020: grading, pickup/dropoff
4.17.2020: updates regarding virtual learning through remainder of the year, meals, counseling, summer school
4.03.2020: updates regarding Holy Week, learning plans, meals
4.02.2020: updated Learning Plan – 4.2.2020 ENGLISH | SPANISH
3.25.2020: updates regarding possible return dates, Spring Break, meals
3.18.2020: family learning plans
3.16.2020: evening communication home
3.13.2020: morning communication home to families, faculty, staff
3.12.2020: communication home to families, faculty, staff
3.12.2020: communication re: St. Cat’s boys basketball, WIAA games
3.10.2020: communication home to families, faculty, staff
Helpful Links
- Stay Healthy, Siena
- CDC COVID-19 – Guidance for Workplaces, Schools, and Home
- Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Parent Resource) – From NASP and NASN
- CDC Poster in English, Spanish
- Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions and Answers – CDC
- Coronavirus Travel Frequently Asked Questions and Answers – CDC
- March 12, 2020, News Release – Racine County
- Handwashing fact sheet in English or Spanish – CDC
- Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus – NPR
- What to do if you are sick with coronavirus – CDC
- Information for School Nurses – Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Should you have further questions or concerns, please contact your school principal.