DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) has launched its 10-week distance learning plan for the District’s 51,000 students in grades PreK-12.
Beginning the week of April 20, students in grades PreK-12 will engage in distance learning in core subjects including, language, reading, math, social studies and science via this website.
The District’s curriculum and instruction team, along with the fine and performing arts team developed videos, readings, and student work pages for each content area. These resources are available on the District’s YouTube Channel.
Teachers will engage students in lessons via telephone or virtually using the Microsoft Teams app, according to the District.
Distance learning training today for @Detroitk12! Thanks for starting with trauma informed care. Teachers can follow landing page to track updates. pic.twitter.com/HO3EaATAxy
— Wanda Faye Bryant (@wandabryant) April 14, 2020
DPSCD will hold two intensive days of professional development for teachers this week.
Families can expect assignments to be provided, feedback and scheduled engagement with students. Students will not receive credit for the assignments. Instead, teachers will provide feedback on assignments.
For students who do not have access to the internet or technology, printed packets will be provided at the District’s 19 Grab-and-Go food resource locations and at an additional 32 school sites from Wednesday, April 22 – Friday, April 24 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Distance Learning for the next 10 weeks is rolling out at DPSCD. Online Academic Resources are now available at https://t.co/ESoIX5Skyk, printed packets will be ready for pick up starting April 22nd. Please see the list of pick up locations https://t.co/lHH4IwKLeV pic.twitter.com/PxwqK9BOZF
— DPSCommunityDistrict (@Detroitk12) April 14, 2020
During this phase of distance learning, teachers will work Monday through Friday and engage their students through recommended student schedules.
Students in different grade levels have a different number of recommended live meetings and video engagements. On average, students may spend between three to four hours a day engaged in recommended academic activities. DPSCD’s goal is to keep learning occurring at a pace individual students and their families can support.
The Homework Hotline, along with counselors and social workers, will be accessible through a hotline for support during select hours outlined below:
- Homework Hotline can be reached by calling 1-833-466-3978: Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. & Friday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
What about the grading system?
Students will receive a PASS/FAIL second semester grade. PASS/FAIL marks will be based on grades earned by students prior to the state mandated closure of all schools during the 3rd quarter (with all grades inputted before the shutdown). Students who earned a D- or higher grade will receive a PASS. If they had an F grade, then they will receive a FAIL. Teachers will be given the opportunity to give a student a PASS if they had an F grade and believed that student would have earned a D- or higher grade with more instructional time, and/or if the student completes assignments during the distance learning period.
Report cards will not be given for the 3rd/4th quarters or the semester. Transcripts will use the PASS/FAIL code. This will allow students to gain course credit for promotion and/or graduation. This also allows GPAs to remain neutral as a result of the shutdown. For athletic eligibility, a student will need to receive a PASS in the majority of their courses for fall semester sport participation. Seniors will receive separate instructions from their school to determine if they are on pace to graduate. An extensive Frequently Asked Questions document is available on the District’s website that addresses questions for families, students and staff.
Online learning programs student's will have access to:
- Khan Academy - Independent practice and guided learning for K-12 Mathematics and Literacy; 9-12 Science and Social Studies, AP, and SAT.
- myOn - Large library of online books with built-in reading supports.
- i-Ready - Independent practice for K-8 Mathematics and Literacy.
- Newsela - News and events articles at a range of reading levels.
- Imagine Learning - The District expanded access to this site for all schools with English Language Learners.
Here is the list of Grab-and-Go breakfast/lunch and academic packet pick up locations:
Distance Learning Printed Packets will be available after April 20 on Mondays and Thursdays:
- Denby
- East English Village
- Fisher Upper
- Law
- Martin Luther King
- Pershing
- Southeastern
- Brenda Scott
- Cass
- Central
- Charles H. Wright
- Cody
- Frederick Douglass Academy
- Mumford
- Munger
- Renaissance
- Western
- Gompers*
- Roberto Clemente*
*Newly added
These are the academic packet only locations:
Pick up dates are 4/22, 4/23 & 4/24
1. Ann Arbor Trail
2. Barton
3. Bennett
4. Bethune
5. Bow
6. Bunche
7. Carstens
8. CMA
9. Cooke
10. DCP @ Northwestern
11. Detroit School of Arts
12. DIA
13. Dixon
14. Durfee
15. Edward Duke Ellington
16. Fisher Magnet
17. Greenfield Union
18. Hamilton
19. Henderson
20. J.E. Clark
21. John R King
22. Ludington
23. Marquette
24. Moses Field School
25. Nolan
26. Palmer Park
27. Priest
28. Ronald Brown
29. Sampson Webber
30. Schulze Academy
31. Thirkell
32. Wayne
The District submitted its Continuity of Learning Plan to Wayne RESA and has already received approval as required by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-35, mandating statewide school closures due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.
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