Both the Elementary and Secondary Reopening Schools Task Force teams met today to plan for the upcoming school year. The groups discussed social distancing in classrooms, cafeterias, and during transition times, among many other topics.
We will continue to update the FAQ document with new information about safety protocols and what to expect when school begins. (New information is in blue.)
Link ➜➜➜ https://5il.co/hcmh
Gov. Hutchinson announced that districts will now begin school the week of August 24 (but no later than the Aug. 26). Once the new start date has been approved for our district, Bryant Schools will publish a revised 2020-21 school calendar.
Want some fun, educational activities to do with your elementary student this summer? Check out the great literacy and math activities at bryantschools.org.
bit.ly/FamilyGuideLiteracy
bit.ly/FamilyGuideMath
Parents,
Just a friendly reminder, if you have not had a chance to fill out the “Instructional Options Survey”, please take a moment to complete it. The survey will close on July 5 at midnight. We have added a few questions and answers (in blue) to our FAQ document.
If you have any questions that have not been answered, please complete the feedback request form before Friday, July 3 at 3 pm to receive a response in a timely manner.
Survey: https://forms.gle/LUEpqPG1bCaRj82z8
FAQ: https://5il.co/hcmh
Feedback Request: https://forms.gle/WihLHcv6noJiMiDDA
We appreciate all of your feedback and have updated our FAQ document with additional information regarding blended (onsite) and virtual (online) learning.
If you have not had a chance to submit the survey, you have until July 5 to complete it.
FAQ Document: https://5il.co/hcmh
Survey: http://bit.ly/InstructionSurvey
Bryant Public Schools is actively planning for student re-engagement this fall. Your responses to the Instructional Options survey are CRITICAL to plan for staffing, logistics, and safety precautions.
The survey is REQUIRED for all students. FILL OUT ONE SURVEY PER STUDENT. (If you have three students, you will need to complete the survey three times, one for each child.) The survey is open from June 22-July 5. DEADLINE IS JULY 5.
IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE A SURVEY RESPONSE FOR EACH ONE OF YOUR STUDENTS, WE WILL ASSUME STUDENTS WILL ATTEND BLENDED LEARNING (ONSITE LEARNING) IN THE FALL.
Survey Link: bit.ly/InstructionSurvey
Bryant Public Schools is excited to welcome our newest school board member, Patrice Muldrow. Mrs. Muldrow was appointed to the Board to fill the vacant At Large Position B, formerly held by Danny Chism.
Mrs. Muldrow is an Arkansas native, wife, and mother of two sons. She and her family have lived in Saline County for the past 13 years. She is a Registered Nurse by profession and is actively involved in Restoration Ministries Christian Fellowship Church.
Thank you, Mrs. Muldrow, for your willingness to serve our community. #Teamof7
Danny Chism was honored for his three years of school board service to the students, parents, and community of Bryant Schools. Thank you, Mr. Chism, for your leadership and wise decisions, always made with students at the forefront.
INSTRUCTIONAL OPTIONS FOR FALL 2020
Late last week Governor Hutchinson announced that public schools in Arkansas WILL reopen for onsite instruction in August. Bryant Public Schools has been working to create education plans that provide flexibility for families while still ensuring a strong academic focus.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an unexpected change to education. When schools closed in March, learning continued but was focused on review of content per the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Moving forward, online learning will be much more comprehensive than online learning last spring.
In order to provide your child with a premier education, we must provide a strong academic setting that ensures student learning, whether face-to-face or technology-based. Grade-level standards or higher will continue to be taught, regardless of the COVID-19 circumstances. We must also assess (test) students to identify knowledge and learning gaps and put supports in place for those needing help.
The district is preparing to offer two options for students and parents. Curriculum, instruction, and testing will be delivered multiple ways to ensure learning among all students. These options will provide flexibility for families to choose a learning environment that best fits their needs.
Instructional options include:
BLENDED LEARNING (ONSITE LEARNING)
Students will go to school buildings to learn in a setting which follows Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) guidelines. (Class size, lunch, and changing classes could be impacted due to social distancing requirements.)
The traditional classroom will become a blended learning classroom which allows students to continue learning grade level or content standards through face-to-face instruction and technology-based approaches. Both students and teachers will stay prepared to move to online learning in case of ADH mandates.
VIRTUAL LEARNING (ONLINE LEARNING)
All instruction will be online; no in person or on campus instruction. Students will learn remotely full time. STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE ONSITE FOR STATE MANDATED ASSESSMENTS. Families who choose this option should have home internet available.
All students (K-12) will be expected to participate daily. Students will follow all policies, handbooks, and procedures including attendance, assignments and behavior. Students registered in virtual learning may also participate in extracurricular activities, following the guidelines of their respective activity as issued by the coach and the Arkansas Activities Association. Transportation will be provided by the parent.
If this option is selected, students must remain a virtual learner through the end of the semester. If a student chooses to return to onsite instruction, he/she will be assigned to their zoned school (if space is available).
We have created a Frequently Asked Questions document which provides additional information. FAQ English: https://5il.co/hcmh;
FAQ Spanish https://5il.co/hcmg
On Monday, June 22, parents will be asked by survey to select either Blended Learning (Onsite) or Virtual Learning (Online) for each student. It is vital that we receive this information by the July 5 deadline.
While learning will look different, our commitment to providing the best education possible is unwavering. Thank you for being part of Bryant Schools!
Today is National Mascot Day, a day set aside to celebrate and recognize the importance of mascots in promoting school spirit. Mascots bring extra Hornet enthusiasm to games and school events. We love you, Buzz! 💙💙💙
Are you ready for PreK? We still have a few openings for our ABCSS and Federal PreK grants! Application is available online at bryantschools.org. Paper apps are available in tubs outside the PreK right now! Call 501-847-5650 with questions. #SuccessStartsHere
Let's WELCOME Mrs. Carter to PARKWAY! Mrs. Carter has been teaching elementary school for 20 years, with 11 of those years in Bryant. She has taught grades K-3, and recently completed her educational specialist degree from ASU. For Mrs. Carter, the best part of being a teacher is witnessing the academic, social, and emotional growth each child makes throughout a school year. She is excited to continue her educational journey at Parkway Elementary!
PARKWAY LIONS! Let's WELCOME Mrs. Jessica Brigham! Mrs. Brigham lives in Bryant with her husband Trey, son Ethan. She is looking forward to getting to know everyone and to having a great 2020-2021 school year! Welcome to the PRIDE!
WELCOME Mrs. Watkins to "ANOTHER SIDE of the PRIDE" as our new ESOL teacher! Mrs. Watkins taught in Honduras for two years and learned lots about teaching students of other languages. This is her 8th year teaching and her second year at Parkway. She is thrilled to get to teach ESL at The Greatest School on Earth! She has been dreaming of teaching ESOL for many years and can’t wait to get started!
PARKWAY, PARKWAY, WE HAVE A NEW TEACHER ON THE WAY!!! Mrs. Ward is so excited to join the 5th grade team! This upcoming year will be her second year of teaching. She is a graduate of Bryant High School and could not be happier to join the Parkway Pride and be a Hornet again!
WELCOME Mrs. VANDERPOOL to "ANOTHER SIDE of the PRIDE" as our new 4th Grade Math and Science Teacher! She has been teaching for four years. She is excited about returning to fourth grade math and science. She feels there are so many ways to help students learn to love math and science!
WELCOME TO THE PRIDE, Mrs. Caityln Williams! Mrs. Williams has taught kindergarten for 4 years and she is so excited to continue teaching kindergarten at Parkway!
WELCOME to the PRIDE Mrs. Fisher! She has been in Bryant for nine of those years--six years at Springhill Elementary teaching 3rd grade and three years at Hill Farm Elementary as the Building Learning Specialist. She is looking forward to a great year at Parkway!
Bryant's Food Service Department received a $2,000 grant from GENYOUth's COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Fund. The grant helped purchase food and containers for our Food & Transportation staff to feed our students during the school closure.
Summer Food Program provides FREE meals for children up to age 18. Come hungry! Details at bryantschools.org.
