Courtesy of San Benito High School Superintendent Shawn Tennenbaum:
Dear San Benito High School Parents, Students and Community:
This Friday, San Benito High School will release a remote instruction FAQ document answering key questions students and parents may have about our continuation of remote instruction to keep students and staff safe while we help minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Despite the unique and unfortunate circumstances we all face during this pandemic, our faculty, staff and administrators are excited for the new school year to start on Thursday, Aug. 13. Student schedules, Chromebooks (for all students who need them) and textbooks will be handed out before the first day of school next week and students and parents will be able to view schedules online through Aeries by Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning
Remote instruction this year will include a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning, with concrete requirements, programs and expectations for students, who will receive a letter grade representing their mastery of the content.
In synchronous learning, a group of students will engage in learning at the same time during a teacher-led Zoom session. In asynchronous learning or independent work, students will learn the same material at different times and locations through a teacher’s Google Classroom.
Daily Student Participation
The District has established a new school schedule while remote instruction is in effect, with morning and afternoon cohorts and students taking two classes at a time for each six-week semester. Additionally, there is built-in support time for students needing additional help throughout the week. We will track all students’ daily participation, to ensure they are engaged in learning activities and to monitor attendance for purposes of reporting to the state.
San Benito High School expects students and families to monitor academic achievement by actively using Aeries.
Attendance Will Be Taken
Teachers will document all students’ daily participation in the educational program, both via Zoom and through work completion in Google Classroom. A student not participating in live Remote Instruction (synchronous) is considered “not engaged” and our attendance system will send an autodialer alerting the family.
Students not completing assigned daily work are also considered “not engaged” (asynchronous) and the attendance system will send a second autodialer home alerting families.
Families must contact the school attendance office immediately if their student will be absent and unable to participate for any reason.
Tracking Progress
All teachers have a Google Classroom containing instructions, assignments and assessments that can be accessed through the student’s school Gmail account. Grades will be updated every week, so parents/guardians must check Aeries regularly to confirm their student’s participation and academic progress. The District will regularly communicate with parents and guardians regarding students’ educational progress. Please watch for more information regarding the end of grading periods shortly.
Social-Emotional Resources
San Benito High School is committed to the social, emotional health of our students and families. There are online resources noted on our school website and all students have access to a virtual Baler Wellness site in their Clever accounts. Importantly, students or their families can reach out to their student’s counselor or teacher to ask for a referral to the Baler Wellness team.
We’re All in This Together
Since the shelter-in-place began last Spring and has continued through the Summer and into the start of this school year, I have appreciated the partnership and team spirit of our entire team, including staff and faculty, counselors, administrators, unions and our community.
I want to encourage everyone to continue doing their part by wearing face coverings, physical distancing, washing your hands regularly and taking other appropriate precautions. The more we all do our part, the sooner we can return to in-person instruction.
Despite our continued challenges, we are excited about the new school year and I’m constantly reminded that every day is a great day to be a Baler!
Sincerely,
San Benito High School Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum
