MANTECA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

PARENT GUIDE TO PHASE ONE: OFF-CAMPUS LEARNING 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR

MANTECA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | August 2020

Every student works to achieve grade level standards, feels safe and is supported to realize individual success.

Through smart actions and decisions, MUSD will work together using meaningful, measurable and aligned data for all students to achieve mastery of grade level standards in all subjects based on their unique educational pathway in a safe environment inclusive of design, security and climate.

Our Vision

Our Mission

2MANTECA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | August 2020

1. CREATE A DESIGNATED LEARNING SPACE FOR YOUR STUDENT

When deciding your child’s learning space, create a workspace that is consistent, reliable, and has minimal distractions. Your student should associate that space with learning only. Following the tips below will help your student stay focused and ready to learn.

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS

SEPARATE LEARNING SPACE

FROM PLAY SPACE

STUDENTS SHOULD KEEP THEIR WORKSPACE ORGANIZED AND CLEAN

Remove toys, pets, sources of loud noises, and other distractions from your child’s workspace.

Your child should associate his/her workspace to learning only.

Your child should feel a type of ownership over his/her workspace. Just like in the classroom, his/her desk

should be clean and organized.

3MANTECA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | August 2020

2. SET A CONSISTENT SCHEDULE

The length of learning activities should take the age of your student into consideration. The amount of effective learning time for a 5 year old student is much different from that of a 16 year old. Find the amount of time per lesson that is most effective for your student. Learning at school is broken up by scheduled breaks including recess, lunch, and passing periods. Learning at home should also be separated by regular breaks.

GOOD ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE IN BETWEEN LESSONS AND DURING BREAKS

Grades Pre-K to 6th Grades 7th to 12th• Going on a walk or walking the dog

• Playing catch outside

• Engaging in a puzzle or arts and craft project

• Cooking or preparing a snack

• Going on a bike ride

• Talking with a friend

• Drawing or painting

• Playing a musical instrument

• Working out or exercising

• Playing a quick card or board game

PRE-K - KINDERGARTEN 1st - 3rd GRADE 4th - 8th GRADE HIGH SCHOOL

25-30 Minutes 30 Minutes 45 Minutes 1 Hour

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3. MAKE IT A PARTNERSHIP

The relationship between a teacher and a parent is important. During online learning, parents will have a larger role in their student’s academics. Here are tips to help build a stronger relationship with your student’s school and teacher.

Clarify Expectations

Communicate Barriers Ask for Help!

Confirm with your student’s teacher

mandatory meeting times, the amount of time required to spend online

per day, and deadlines for important tasks and

assignments.

If your home has any limitations such as

internet access, please communicate this with your student’s teacher.

This will allow the teacher to help create the best

learning environment for your student as possible.

If you are struggling to assist your child during

online learning, reach out! Your teacher has many

resources to help you and your child be successful during online learning.

Get Involved!

Schools and MUSD may offer various collaborative opportunities (virtually).

Participation can be a way to express any communication or feedback you may have.

Or, simply a way to stay involved.

Your student’s teacher, school’s administration,

and MUSD have prepared many resources to help support you and your

student during this time.

Take Advantage of Resources

Keep Up With School Updates

Make sure all of your contact information is

current. Your school may send emails, calls, or text messages with news and updates. Call your school

directly to make any changes.

5MANTECA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | August 2020

Check in With Your Student

Daily

Mental Health and Social-Emotional

Wellbeing

Ask about their progress in the online classroom including

lessons, activities, assignments, and

quizzes. Helping your student stay organized will play a huge part in the personal learning

experience.

For most of us, learning online is new. This may be hard on

some students, so checking in with your

child regularly will identify what their

individual needs are and what specialized

support is needed. needed.

4. COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR STUDENT DAILY

Staying connected online means

lots of two-way communication. Help your child check for daily messages or

announcements from teachers and make sure to reply to any

messages, if necessary.

Assist in Communication

Alternative Ways to Ask Your K-12 Child “How was School?”

What great questions did you ask today? What is one thing that was hard to believe? Not confusing, but surprising?

What did you discover? How else could you have learned what the teacher taught?

What surprised you? How do your teachers show they care?

Why are you learning that? What is the most important thing you learned today? The least?

When did you notice yourself most interested and curious today?

Tell me one chance you took today, and how it ended up.

Was there a time today when you were especially confused? How did you respond? What would you like to know more about?

When were you most creative today? If you were more ____ today, how would it have impacted the day?

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5. UNDERSTANDING THE CYCLE OF INSTRUCTION

Your student may ask you for help! While you are not expected to take the place of your child’s teacher, your child will benefit greatly from your guidance and support. Understanding the basic cycle of instruction will help your child’s success in the online classroom. Here is a quick overview on how instruction, practice, and assessment work together.

INSTRUCTION

PRACTICE

ASSESSMENT

Teachers may provide live lessons,

recorded lessons, and assignments to help

students learn the new material.

Activities, worksheets, and games may be given to your student to help practice the newly learned concept. Look

for opportunities for your child to practice in different

ways. Quizzes and tests will ensure that your student has learned the new material. If

the assessment reveals that your student may not have learned the

concept fully, continue to practice, and then

assess again.

Each of the three steps work together to ensure

that learning occurs.

Students may need to move forward and

backward through the steps as needed, to reach

individual success.

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6. WE CAN DO THIS!

Parents are not expected to do a perfect job supporting online learning. Students may not be the perfect online learners and teachers may not create the perfect online learning lesson plan. During this process, we are all here to support each other. Check in with family, friends, colleagues, community, and of course, MUSD to share advice, ask for help, and talk about the positives of learning from home. We have the power to learn and grow from this experience.

We are in this together!View the entire MUSD Return to School Plan at www.mantecausd.net/returntoschool

Below are governmental and non-governmental resources that can help parents, guardians, and caregivers navigate stress and uncertainty and to build resilience for you and your children heading into the school year.

• CDC Stress and Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• CDC Parent Portal

• CDC Children’s Mental Health

• Bullying Prevention

• Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies

Resources and Useful Links

Navigate Stress and Uncertainty

Recreational / Learning Support Programs

• MUSD Home Learning Supports

• SJCOE LOCkER

• City of Manteca Emergency Childcare

• City of Lathrop Full Day Kids’ Club

• Give Every Child a Chance

• Boys and Girls Club of Manteca and Lathrop