Pelham Memorial High School Overview | Values, Goals, and Student Dignity

Welcome to Pelham Memorial High School Virtual Overview Family Meeting and Recorded Session Principal Mark Berkowitz Assistant Principal Bethany Antonelli September 8, 2020

Our Values & Mindset Our highest priority is your physical and emotional safety Each of us creates Pelham Memorial High School each day Our words and actions have impact. We are each responsible for one another We are committed to valuing and celebrating every member of the PMHS community We will lead with our hearts. We ask that you lead with your heart too Purpose, Optimism, Patience, A Growth Mindset, Empathy through Understanding: these are the attributes that will guide us through each day.

Pelham Public Schools Strategic Goals Cultural Competence Cultivate an empathetic, inclusive and equitable school community that values and encourages respect, voice and agency for all students. Authentic Learning Develop innovative problem solvers, critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators and strong collaborators who can apply their knowledge and skills to navigate real world challenges. Whole Child Deepen our systemic academic and social-emotional supports for the health, safety, and well-being of the whole child, recognizing that our learners need to balance academic, physical, social, and emotional demands.

Dignity for All Students Expectations of behavior In order to help make Pelham Memorial High School a positive place where students can receive quality educational service without disruption, students are expected to refrain from any act that could be considered harassment, hazing or bullying. Harassment is making another student uncomfortable through verbal threats, intimidations or abuse that has or would have the effect of interfering with a student s educational, physical, and mental well-being. Bullying is any unwanted and/or aggressive behavior that involves a student holding power or trying to hold power over another student. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated over time. Bullying can occur before and after school hours, in a school building or places like a playground or bus, while a child is traveling to or from school or on the internet, especially social media websites, e.g.: Facebook, Twitter, etc. Hazing is when a person intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct during the course of another person s entrance into or affiliation with any organization such as a co-curricular club or sports team, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person. Physical harm does not have to occur for hazing to have taken place.

Dignity for All Students (continued) Such conduct includes, but is not limited to actions: verbal threats, intimidation or abuse based on a person s actual or perceived: Race Color Weight / Physical Appearance National origin Ethnic group Religion Religious practice Disability Sex Sexual orientation Gender (which includes a person s actual or perceived sex, as well as gender identity and expression)

Our Behavioral Expectations are rooted in Emotional Intelligence As expressed in our opening: Our highest priority is your physical and emotional safety Each of us creates Pelham Memorial High School each day Our words and actions have impact We are each responsible for one another Self Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Decision Making...these are the skill-sets of Emotional Intelligence.

Where to find Student Schedules All student schedules are currently accessible though the Infinite Campus portal. We encourage all families to spend time logging in to Infinite Campus and reviewing its many tools together. Infinite Campus is a great resource for: Viewing student schedules Viewing report cards/ transcripts Viewing cohort information

An Overview of our Opening Day Schedules We will begin the school year following a hybrid schedule in which half of our students will attend school in person while the other half views classes and completes work virtually at home. All families have been given the option to attend virtually. Thursday September 10th : Cohort A will attend their first day of on-site instruction. Cohort B and full virtual students will also attend that day, via Google Classroom Friday September 11th: Cohort B students will attend their first day of on-site instruction. Cohort A and full virtual students will also attend that day, via Google Classroom

Our Hybrid Schedule O Period: 7:40-8:15 am Period 1/Homeroom: 8:20-8:55 am Period 2: 9:00-9:35 am Period 3: 9:40-10:15 am Period 4: 10:20-10:55 am Period 5: 11:00-11:35 am Period 6: 11:40-12:15 pm Period 7: 12:20-12:55 pm Period 8: 1:00-1:35 pm Period 9: 1:40-2:15 pm Virtual Academy: 2:20-2:55 pm

Early Release Schedule on Wednesdays O Period: 7:40-8:15 am Period 1/Homeroom: 8:20-8:40 am Period 2: 8:45-9:05 am Period 3: 9:10-9:30 am Period 4: 9:35-9:55 am Period 5: 10:00-10:20 am Period 6: 10:25-10:45 pm Period 7: 10:50-11:10 pm Period 8: 11:15-11:35 pm Period 9: 11:40-12:00 pm

Accessing Google Classrooms: Students log in to their launchpad with their Pelham email account From there, students should click on the icon for Google classroom Every period they will click into their Google Classroom and enter the Google meet for that class

An Update on Athletics & Physical Education Virtual Physical Education: Assignments will be on Google Classroom and students will complete work asynchronously (i.e. at their own pace) Assignments will include fitness logs and written assignments Classes will not be livestreamed in order to give students a much needed screentime break

Study Hall Virtual learners will not be expected to report to study hall This time can be used at the discretion of the student and family: Screentime break Catch up on homework Email teachers

Social Emotional Supports for Virtual Learners School counselors are available to students the same way that they would be if the students were in person. Students may reach out to them via email in order to set up a time to connect and share concerns and/or struggles. If they can t help with a specific concern, they may refer the student to our school psychologist or social worker. Virtual Learning Emotional Support Groups: At PMHS, we run many different types of support groups throughout the year. This year, we will be running groups specific to our virtual learners. If you/your child is interested in opting in to one of these groups, please reach out to Ms. Quintano, our school social worker.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: Where and when can students return last year s books and what about book distribution for this year? Answer: For students attending full-virtual, we will be creating child-specific bags so that families can pick up their child s texts during the first full week of school. Additional details forthcoming. Textbook return for virtual families will be tomorrow, 9/9 from 9:00 -10:00 a.m. or 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the main entrance

Frequently Asked Questions Question: What will Chorus Instruction Look Like This Year? Answer: We are viewing this as an opportunity to have a rich musical and communal experience that will enhance our groups even though it will be different from the usual class. Our emphasis on community building through musical participation and learning remains strong. All HS Chorus ensembles will be meeting during this year. Students will still learn a variety of songs from the choral repertoire. During chorus classes, students will analyze the music, listen to different ensembles performing the music and practice their parts while HUMMING. Students who are viewing the class from home will do all of the things that the in person students are doing except when we are humming, they will sing. Chorus students will have weekly or twice weekly singing assignments to complete on Music First. This is very important as it gives students the opportunity for meaningful feedback and it gives me the opportunity to hear them individually. It will also dramatically improve their knowledge of musical notation and theory. Chorus students will still have sectional lessons when they are physically in school. This is when students are pulled from another class to work in small groups. During this time, we may have the opportunity to go outside and sing. If not, we will work as we do during 0 period, but with greater attention given to each student. Each day there will be a section from each cohort that remains home for their instruction since the size of the room cannot accommodate everyone. This will change every day and will be posted in advance on Google Classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: What will Orchestra Instruction Look Like This Year? Answer: Orchestra is happening! Virtual students will be asked to play along with us at home. Even though we cannot hear them, they ll be able to learn the music and ensemble skills. (If a virtual student needs help with their instrument, we can do a drive-by fix at the curb.) Hybrid Orchestra: students will social-distance and wear their masks while they play. I will wear gloves so when a student needs help with their instrument, I can take care of tuning, bridge adjustment, etc. As mentioned above, students will play along with the In-person group. Students will be grouped according to instruments they play. Cellos and basses will be onstage when possible. If more room is required, they can sit in front of the stage. Violins and violas can go up the aisles. Each student will have their own music stand and set of sheet music. (we will need more music stands for orchestra) Assessment for Orchestra will include our Orchestra Performance Rubric which is similar to NYSSMA adjudication sheets. We also use the MusicFirst app for assignments and tests on various aspects of playing.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: What will Band Instruction Look Like This Year? Answer: Learning in Hybrid Band is going to be a new and unique experience! Our primary focus is to be learning music while establishing a strong, flourishing ensemble-based community. Currently, students will not be able to play their instruments in school, but we will still be learning and studying pieces of music. Most music will be distributed digitally, so students will need to have their chromebooks regularly, and may need to print it out at home, so they can write markings in. If a student s ensemble calls for a specific methods book, he/she must purchase his/her own copy. In class, we can do significant learning of rhythm, listening, theory, history, and/or appreciation, which can significantly enhance our musicianship and playing. We have the ability to hum music as a learning tool with our mouths closed while masked. Whenever at home, students will be playing on their instruments regularly. It ll be extremely important for all students to establish a regular practicing schedule. All playing assignments will need to be submitted via Music First. When a sectional routine is established, students will be able to play their instruments in small groups outdoors. In the high school band, a schedule will be planned as to when students report in person to period 0 as the current number of students exceeds our available capacity. Students will only need to come on their scheduled days, but attend virtually if their specific cohort is in session.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: What will Science Labs Look Like This Year? Answer: Our Science Department will provide a range of simulations & demonstration lessons followed by assessments for learning. More specific information will be provided by classroom teachers.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: What will Academy Period Look Like This Year? Answer: Academy Period will be conducted online. For this year, Academy can only be attended by students who are at home as part of the Full Virtual Program or during students at home days as part of the hybrid model. There will not be Academy on Wednesdays that are early release days

Frequently Asked Questions Question: How Will Students take Exams This Year? Answer: Teachers will provide course-specific guidance for how Exams and assessments will be provided at home.

Frequently Asked Questions Question: How Students Participate in Clubs This Year? Answer: All Clubs will take place virtually so that every PMHS student can participate. Clubs will begin 30 minutes following the school day to allow for travel time home for students who had been on-site and a break-time for students who have been learning from home. Save the Date: The PMHS Clubs Fair is scheduled for Thursday September 17th, 3:15pm to 4:15pm

Save The Date! The Pelham Memorial High School Open House begins at 6:15pm on Thursday September 17th. It will be conducted virtually. Please log in for this opportunity to hear your child s teachers talk about their course and our year ahead!