We want to start off by saying thank you so very much for your patience and support this week while we launched our new Google Classroom. We do not want your children to lose any of the important information that they learned this year, and we still want them to continue learning so that they can be successful. We greatly appreciate that you took the time to log your children into Google Classroom and that you are making sure they complete assignments. We know that there has been a lot of confusion and technical difficulties, but please know that we are so grateful that you persevered and set time aside to learn how to log your children in. This is all new and different for us as well, and we are learning as we go along, just like you. You have all been wonderful this week and words cannot express the gratitude we feel for the patience and support. So again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
We wanted to include a “frequently asked questions” section of this email, since many of the questions we have seen are about the same things. Hopefully, this will help address some of your concerns and make things easier for you. We know that this has all been confusing for many of you, and we want to make this as easy to understand as possible. So, here are some frequently asked questions:
Q: My child has finished a Nearpod lesson. How do I save his/her work?
A: Since the lessons are all on Nearpod, once your child has completed the lesson, all of his/her work is automatically saved. Mrs. Ceballos and I are able to log into our teacher accounts on Nearpod and view your child’s work from there.
Q: When I submit an assignment, it says that no work is attached. Do I submit it anyway? What does this mean for my child’s grade? Should I be attaching something?
A: We are able to see on our end when an assignment has been turned in. We are also able to see the work that has been completed on Nearpod, which is how we’ll grade the assignment. There is no need to attach anything, because the work is all on Nearpod. Google Classroom does not understand this, which is why it tells you there is nothing attached. 
All you need to do is submit the assignment, and then the job is done! IF you are able to save & attach it please feel free to do so!
Q: How does grading work? What does my child need to do each day to receive a grade?
A: Students are graded on each subject area and will receive one grade per subject area per week. (One English reading grade, one Spanish reading grade, one math grade, one science grade, one social studies grade, and one writing grade.) These grades are based on completion of the Nearpod lessons. As far as bell work, which is what the Padlet is being used for, this will be an effort grade and we are also using this to track our daily attendance. In order to receive a passing grade for all subjects this week, all assignments need to be completed by Friday, 3/27. As far as what to do each day, students should be logging into Google Classroom and completing the Nearpod lessons that are assigned for the day as well as answering the bell work question on the Padlet. ** Some changes will be made next week**
Here are a few reminders as well:
1. When you post your child’s response to the daily question in the Padlet, please be sure that your child’s name is in there so that we can give them the effort grade as well as track his/her attendance. We are required to fill out a form each day that states who has logged in, and the Padlet is our way of checking this. If it says “Anonymous,” we will not know who it is. You can also attach a picture or video (which we have loved seeing) instead if you’d like and that will count as well.
2. We receive new updates and instructions about our online instruction all the time and things can change from one day to the next. For this reason, please be sure to check your email each and every day so that you can be up to date on everything and be aware of any changes. The district and our administration send out emails often as well. Please be sure to read any emails you receive in their entirety, because they may answer questions you have or may include new changes.
3. If you have any questions for us, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can comment directly on Google Classroom when you have a question and we can answer it on there if that is easier for you. Mrs. Ceballos and I can both see your questions when you ask on Google Classroom, so you would not have to look for my email address or hers.