Parents of the Indiana Area School District:
As you are most likely aware, the Indiana Area School District’s plan for continuity of education during the COVID-19 school closure is scheduled to begin Thursday, April 2nd at 8 am. Teachers will be providing distance learning opportunities for all students through either Google Classroom or Google Sites (more specific information will follow this evening). From time to time these lessons will include the opportunity for live interaction with our teaching staff via Google Meet, or other video conferencing software. During these live, virtual meetings teachers will be available to interact with students just like they would in a normal classroom; they will be able to share their computer screen with the students to provide examples; provide lectures; or facilitate live discussions or debates. Google Meet will also be used to facilitate many teachers’ “office hours,” pre-scheduled times when they are available live for direct questions or concerns.
It is important that you understand that these learning opportunities and participation in teacher's office hours are optional for your student. Students may be able to complete their assigned work without attending the live learning opportunities, and attendance at these virtual gatherings will not be taken, nor will any credit be awarded for attending. These events are simply designed to give your students access to their teacher should they need help.
It is also important that you understand that all of these live, virtual gatherings will be recorded to ensure compliance with all School District policy, and possibly preserved as reference for students who are unable to attend the live session. The State of Pennsylvania forbids the recording of any citizen without their consent. Although teachers will remind all participants at the beginning of each session that the event is being recorded, we ask that you talk to your children about whether or not they want to participate. Everyday, parents send their children to school. For the foreseeable future, school now exists online. There is an inherent trust from parents that schools will keep their children safe while at school, and that has not changed. Just like students attending school daily under normal circumstances where video recordings are constant, any student exercising their option to participate in any live learning opportunity will be deemed as family consent for both their participation in and for the recording of the event.
Teachers will be instructed with guidelines and protocols to maintain safe and appropriate student interactions online. We have included the student expectations as well, and are asking for your help communicating these expectations to the students. Please review the following with your child:
Google Meet / Hangout Etiquette Guide for Students
- When meeting with others virtually you should do so in a space in your house that is not private. Use your living room, dining room, family room or other gathering space rather than your bedroom.
- When you enter the Meet / Hangout, mute yourself (If you are already not muted.)
- When you have a question, type in the textbox and wait for your teacher to call on you.
- When you have something to contribute to what is being said, but it is not your turn, use the chat feature in the right-hand corner.
- Wait for the teacher to call on you to unmute yourself.
- Only one student should contribute/talk at a time.
- Look into the camera when you are talking.
- Stay attentive. Pay attention to your teacher or other students who are speaking.
Please remind students that the acceptable use policy, as well as all other IASD School District policies and procedures are still in effect during virtual interactions. Contact your child’s teacher or building administrator if you have any questions.
We look forward to beginning this next chapter of the IASD story with you and continue to wish your family health and safety during this pandemic.
Respectfully,
Rob Heinrich
Director of Education