Communication
   ◦Google Classroom: please check for updates, supplemental website information, including usernames and 
    passwords, important zoom information, scheduling information and classwork
    ◦Classroom Stream, Classwork, etc.- utilized for teacher/clinician postings only
    ◦ All questions or concerns must be communicated via email to the team
   ◦ Emails, phone calls, private chats on zoom – Teachers will typically not be able to answer questions during 
    the instructional day, as we will be attending to students’ learning at that time. We are happy to set up a 
    time to speak with you.
   Zoom Expectations
   As we do our best to support the students of Reece with online learning,  we want to share with you some 
   guidelines for remote instruction and related services.  
    ● Our use of video conferencing is still somewhat new to all of  us.  We continue to research and learn 
      about new features and effective web based programs daily  We are continuing to use the Google 
      classroom platform and Zoom for video conferencing.  We need your help to ensure these tools are 
      being used appropriately by students:
    ● Parents/guardians should be mindful about what family activities would potentially be heard/seen 
      during the students’ use of video conferencing.  This is a great tool to keep students connected, but 
      please have your students use these tools somewhere near enough, so that you can monitor, yet 
      private enough to concentrate on their work.  There are times when they may need help from a parent. 
      The best way to do this is to be nearby to allow them to participate independently, and be accessible 
      when necessary. 
    ● Please have students dress appropriately when video conferencing and make sure that there are no 
      distracting materials or backgrounds.
    Zoom Expectations contd.
     ● Recording conference sessions:  We encourage teachers to record non-confidential video 
       conferencing sessions and post them for students who cannot attend the live session.  There may 
       be some sessions a faculty member may want to record about specific instructional group 
       activities.  We want and need our faculty to be efficient and effective when covering material or 
       providing reinforcement. Therefore, here are some guidelines about recordings:
     ● These recordings will not be publicly available, only shared within the Google Classroom, a similar 
       section of the same class. Faculty will announce their intention to record the session giving 
       students/parents/guardians the opportunity to turn off their camera and/or microphone if privacy 
       is of concern. Students/parents/guardians, should not take photos, screenshots, record any video, 
       or audio, from these conference sessions.  
     ● The same rules of conduct and behavior will apply as apply in the classroom. If you have 
       questions or concerns about your student’s use of online tools, please contact your child’s case 
       manager/counselor.
     ● We completely understand the need for breaks during the day especially with a heavy focus on 
       screen time when instruction is remote.  However, when your child's screen is turned off, we have 
       no way of knowing whether he/she is participating in the lesson, or even there.  Please keep in 
       close contact with your child's team to inform them of your child's needs and to formulate a 
       specific collaborative plan.
    Related Services Reminders 
       ◦ Unless you have requested otherwise, we are offering full mandates as stated on the IEP 
         where appropriate.  In some cases, slight changes were made to group size or location in 
         order to ensure safety in the building or to accommodate changes in program that were 
         necessary.  
       ◦ We understand that life right now is hectic.  Due to clinicians rigorous schedules, clinicians 
         will wait 10 minutes for your child during their session. 
       ◦ Please keep in mind that the scheduling process is quite a complex puzzle.  We 
         unfortunately, cannot move sessions around unless circumstances warrant.   We ask that 
         you please make an effort to be available at the time of your child's scheduled session and 
         be mindful that school hours are 830-230. 
       ◦ Related services may be provided as individual or group sessions and through a pull out or 
         push in model.  Due to covid related safety guidelines, for the time being, we will not be 
         providing pull out group services in the physical building.
       ◦ If the current method of service delivery is not effective for your child, please discuss this 
         with the appropriate related service provider.  We completely understand that there are 
         barriers to providing services.  We will continue to work collaboratively with you to find the 
         most effective and successful model for your child. 
       New York State Exams
       ◦Grade 3-8 ELA and Math 
        ◦ *ELA: 4/20/21-4/22/21
        ◦ *Math: 5/4/21-5/6/21
       ◦Grade 4 and 8 Science (in addition to ELA and Math)
        ◦ *Performance exams: 5/25/21-6/4/21
        ◦ *Written exams: 6/7/21
       ◦Implemented with accommodations listed on students’ IEP
       ◦New York State mandates students receive exams based on their chronological grade 
        level, not their functioning levels
       ◦Alternate assessment:
        ◦ When indicated on students’ IEP
        *Testing dates subject to change from NYSED