DeSoto ISD is enacting a district-wide closure of schools and offices to encourage social distancing measures for the health and safety of our community in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). We have come together to create a plan for student learning and a collection of resources for families to accommodate our immediate and indefinite closure for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. (This decision will be reassessed as information is released). We have generated distance learning plans for students that begins Tuesday, March 17, 2020, with individual activities you will find in this document.
-
● Week 1 Overview (March 17 – 20): During the first week of our social distancing measures, students are expected to review material previously taught by completing assignments and lessons using our existing online platforms, and/or paper-pencil assignments. DeSoto ISD has also provided lists of free resources for students and families to use in addition to the resources we have provided.
-
● Week 2 Overview (March 23 – 27): During the second week, students will follow the learning plans we have provided for Week 1, expanding the plan to include all 4 content areas.
-
● Week 3 and beyond overview: DeSoto ISD will enact a more comprehensive plan for distance learning that will include direct instruction from teachers remotely using a service like Zoom, our existing platforms, and more. A comprehensive plan for week 3 and beyond will be available the week of March 23, 2020. The planning is already underway!
-
Technology: Devices, Internet Access - What if I don’t have access?
-
● DEVICES: If you need a device, we need you to fill out THIS FORM. If you have questions about device checkout, please email [email protected]. Once you submit a request, you will receive an email with directions on how to pick-up your device. Device pick-up will take place at DeSoto High School at specific times, which will be specified to you in the email after you complete the form. District devices being checked out will be disinfected before being distributed.
-
● INTERNET ACCESS: If you DO NOT have internet access, qualifying families can get free internet services from Spectrum or Comcast.
-
○ Spectrum Free WiFi (60 days free): Call 1-844-488-8395 to enroll. For the full directions and information, click here.
-
○ Comcast Free WiFi (60 days free): Apply online on the Comcast Website here for access to the Internet Essentials plans.
-
● If you are unable to receive the free services listed above and do not have access to the internet, please email [email protected] about your situation and we will work to secure a WiFi hotspot for you. Unfortunately, we do not have these currently and will be working to secure them.
-
● TECH SUPPORT: If you are having difficulty with accessing the necessary technology, DeSoto ISD will have tech support available during regular business hours (8am - 5pm). Please email (1) a brief description of the issue and (2) your name and phone number to [email protected] and we will try to help you rectify your issue quickly.
-
● GOOGLE ACCOUNT ACCESS: Students will need to have access to their google accounts and emails. Most students have the following set-up for their Google accounts. If a student has issues, they should email [email protected].
-
○ Email address: [email protected]
-
○ Password: First initial (capitalized), Second initial (lowercase), Student ID number, exclamation mark (i.e. Ab12345!)
-
●No paper copies will be provided for the tech-free option of the Week 1 and 2 distance learning plans. Students may use notebooks or notebook paper to carry out their “paper and pencil” tasks if devices are not available. Please be sure to keep this work together to be turned in at a later date.
What about grades? Graduation?
We will share grading expectations in alignment with our district policies, and also acknowledging the challenges a global pandemic presents. Rest assured we are focused on the health and safety of our kids, families, and staff members above all else. We will communicate specifics about grades, graduation, etc.
DeSoto ISD and TEA Parent Portals
-
●DeSoto ISD Parent Portal - Update your contact information, access your child’s grades, and more.
-
●Texas Education Agency Parent Portal - Although the STAAR test has been cancelled for this year, it’s a great time to familiarize yourself with these resources. You can use your child’s Social Security number and birthdate to obtain the access code to log-in to the system.
DeSoto ISD Online Backpack Access
Earlier this semester, DeSoto ISD distributed magnets with access information for our DeSoto ISD Online Backpack. This is where all of our district-provided online resources are housed for students, and is a one-stop-shop to log-in to those resources. Students will need access to the online backpack for tech-driven distance learning in Weeks 1 and 2, and especially if we head into an extended closure beginning in Week 3.
● Access to all instructional resources:
-
○ Username: firstname.lastname
-
○ Password: capital first name initial, lowercase last name initial, student ID #, and an exclamation mark
-
Example Student: Abby Brown ID#12345
-
Username: Abby.Brown
-
Password: Ab12345!
Student Support Services
Post-Graduation Plan Meetings: All Junior and Senior level students will have 1-1 check-ins with a member of our Post Graduation Team (High School Counselor, To and Through staff, Advise TX Advisor or LETS Gear Up staff member). These check-ins will be focused on each individual student’s post graduation plan and college matriculation process. These individualized conversations will also support any needs that students have.
Freshman and Sophomore Meetings: All Freshman and Sophomore students will have 1-1 or small group check-ins with a member of the our Post-Graduation Team (counselor, To and Through Coordinator, or Advise TX Advisor. Outcomes of the scheduled virtual sessions will include a wellness check, review of student grades, post-graduation chat, and next steps.
K-12 Social-Emotional Wellness Checks: Students who were receiving small group or individualized counselor or social- emotional learning support (SEL) will receive a 1-1 check-in with a member of the SEL team (Campus Counselors, Behavior Coordinators, ACE coordinators, or NEXT Generation Gear UP Coordinators). Outcomes of these check-ins will include wellness checks, review of the social emotional skills that students were focused on prior to the break, and review of current grades.
Parent and Family Resources: Student Support Services team members will have access to a bank of resources that will support themselves and their families. These resources will also include information to support the mental wellness of families and their students, as well as resources to talk about the Pandemic, and fun family activities.
Nursing Resources: Our campus Nurses are available to help field any school related health question. Students who are considered medically fragile or those who were interacting with their campus nurse on a regular basis will have a weekly wellness check with their nurse.
Teacher Support for Students
During Week 1, and in the event of a continued Week 2 closure, teachers will be responsive to email to support student questions and needs the same-day or within a reasonable amount of time (less than 24 hours).
Special Education Daily Schedules
During Week 1, students who receive services in the resource/inclusion setting should follow the distance learning plan according to the grade band as indicated on the table of contents below. Students and parents may access daily schedules and materials by clicking the appropriate links: ECSE/STRIVESK-2, STRIVES3-5/ElementaryAppliedAcademics, SecondaryAppliedAcademics, Lifeskills
CLICK HERE TO VIEW GRADE-LEVEL SPECIFIC DISTANCE LEARNING PLANS.