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Dear Shamokin Area School District Families:
I want to take this opportunity to reassure you that we are committed to our students and families. During this challenging time, we continue to make decisions with the best interest of our students in mind. Our goal is to provide the best instruction possible while at the same time addressing the social and emotional needs of our students. With that being said, we are now moving into Phase II of our Continuity of Education Plan which is Planned Instruction for the remainder of the school year. During Planned Instruction, staff will provide formal teaching and learning, similar to what occurs in a classroom setting. Lessons will be formal and address new standards. Teachers will advance through their curriculum via live/recorded lessons. Students will be evaluated on the work they complete on a “Pass/Fail” basis. Lessons during Phase II will include Instruction, Independent Practice, Closure, and Feedback on Assignments. Teachers will be delivering daily videos to introduce the lesson and/or expectations for the day. These videos may include a video of the teacher teaching the skill, Power Point presentations, and/or other visuals. Teachers will also be conducting Office Hours on Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. During this time, they will be available through Google Meet for virtual meetings with students, to respond to questions from students/parents, and answer anything else that needs an immediate response. Please see our Continuity of Education Plan and Student Handbook for more details addressing many of the questions that you may have.
As we progress through these remaining weeks of school, know that we are united in our support for one another. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. Continue to practice social distancing and stay safe!
Sincerely,
Chris J. Venna
Superintendent
Dear Shamokin Area School District Families:
Now that we know that we will not be returning to our school buildings for the remainder of the academic year, we can begin to make decisions with some clarity. In light of the Governor’s decision to close schools, the Shamokin Area School District maintains its commitment to our mission to provide our students with the learning skills needed to communicate effectively and be productive and responsible citizens. We are committed to meet this challenge and are prepared to work as hard as possible to get there. We will continue to update you throughout this situation. At this time, we have the following updates to share:
School Calendar
Our last day of school will be Thursday, June 11, 2020 (as originally scheduled).
Graduation and Prom (Other End of Year Activities)
We understand that this is an extremely trying time for everyone. Aside from the worry of this pandemic, we also worry about what will happen with the many memorable experiences that occur during this time of the school year - musical, spring sports, concerts, dances, field trips, prom, awards, banquets, and graduation. Many of these events are “once in a lifetime” events. It is our intention to do our best to provide these moments to our students instead of cancelling them (if at all possible). As of now, we know the following:
High School Graduation will be rescheduled pending the Stay-At-Home Order. An alternative plan is currently being developed to have a ceremony (in some capacity) on Thursday, June 11, 2020. We will do everything we can to provide our seniors with the best experiences possible!
Prom will be rescheduled pending the Stay-At-Home Order. We are currently working with Brady Banquet Hall for later dates (June/July). We are also looking at alternatives for Prom if the Stay-At-Home Order is still in effect.
Alumni Exam will be rescheduled. A new date has not been set. (Scholarships will still be awarded regardless.) However, the Alumni Banquet has been cancelled.
Senior Scholastic Awards Program will be rescheduled pending the Stay-At-Home Order. We are looking at alternatives for this program if the Stay-At-Home Order is still in effect. (Awards will still be given regardless.)
Baccalaureate will be rescheduled pending the Stay-At-Home Order. We are looking at alternatives for this program if the Stay-At-Home Order is still in effect.
Kindergarten Graduation will be rescheduled pending the Stay-At-Home Order. We are looking at alternatives for this program if the Stay-At-Home Order is still in effect.
Musical will be rescheduled pending the Stay-At-Home Order. We are looking at alternatives for the Musical if the Stay-At-Home Order is still in effect.
Spring Sports have been cancelled.
Concerts have been cancelled.
Middle School Formal has been cancelled.
As soon as we determine our plans for any/all of the above-mentioned events, we will be sure to communicate them to you.
End of the 3rd Marking Period
We have decided to end the third marking period as of Friday, March 13, 2020. Report cards tentatively will be distributed on Monday, April 20, 2020. Please look for procedures and updates from your School’s Principal about Report Card pick up.
4th Marking Period Grades and Final Grades
We have not made a final decision on 4th Marking Period Grades and/or Final Grades yet. As soon as we determine our plans for these grades, we will be sure to communicate them to you.
Student Locker Clean Out/Retrieval of Personal Belongings/Medication Pick-Up
We are currently developing a plan for student locker clean out/retrieval of personal belongings. As soon as we determine our plans for this, we will be sure to communicate them to you. If you have medication at school that needs “picked up” during the closure, please phone the school’s office and a plan will be created to facilitate “pick up”.
Promotion/Retention/Credit Recovery
Teachers and Principals will make decisions to promote or retain students while keeping the best interest of the student in mind. The general standards for promotion decisions should be discussed jointly between the teacher(s), counselor(s), principal, and parents. Students in grades 7-12 will also be given the opportunity to perform credit recovery as deemed appropriate for consideration to be promoted.
Continuity of Education Plan
The Shamokin Area School District remains committed to providing Continuity of Education throughout the remainder of the academic year. At this time, we will continue to provide Enrichment and Review activities for our students. Our teachers and staff will continue to meet the needs of our students by analyzing and reflecting on students’ prior learning. They will develop materials and informal activities to reinforce or extend students’ prior learning. These materials and informal activities will be shared with families through the best method possible for each family. Teachers and staff will have frequent communication with families and will continue to meet the needs of our students to the greatest extent possible during this unprecedented time. We want to stay connected to our students and families.
Google Classroom
Shamokin Area School District faculty have created Google Classrooms for each course/class they teach. Teachers will continue to post classroom review and enrichment materials/resources/informal activities through Google Classroom. Additionally, teachers will be available to communicate with students and families via email, Google services, Remind, Class Dojo, phone calls, etc. Parents and students are directed to our website under the COVID-19 Student Enrichment and Review Resources page. Once there, you will find information for joining your teachers’ Google Classroom to obtain various resources and activities each day. Please keep in mind that this is not mandatory and will not be graded. It is solely to give our students the opportunity to maintain skills while away from the regular school environment. With that being said, we strongly encourage all students to do their best to complete the material. If you are not able to access Google Classroom, please email your child’s teacher or call your child’s Principal’s Office between 10 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday for additional help.
Packet Work
For families with limited or no access to technology, Shamokin Area School District staff will provide printed enrichment and review packets. Please call your school’s Principal’s Office between 10 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday to make other arrangements for obtaining these resources and activities. Shamokin Area School District staff will ensure that materials are delivered to families as needed.
Office Hours and Video Recorded Lessons
Beginning April 20, 2020, all teachers will be conducting Office Hours and developing Video Recorded Lessons for students/parents. Teachers will be available Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. During this time, teachers will be available (on their computer) through Google Meet for virtual meetings with students/parents, to respond to questions from students/parents, and answer anything else requiring an immediate response. Additionally, teachers will be delivering (1) 15-minute video recorded lesson (Enrichment and Review) each week. These lessons are another way to increase our communication and enhance student learning during this time.
Teacher/Staff General Expectations
Teacher/staff expectations will be similar to normal staff expectations, when buildings are not physically closed, as much as possible. Staff will plan for activities for all students each day (Monday – Friday). In Pre-K, teachers will provide one ELA (15 minutes per day) and one Math (15 minutes per day) activity for students. In grade levels K through 4, teachers will provide one ELA (30 minutes per day) and one Math (30 minutes per day) activity for students. In grades 5 through 12, teachers will provide one activity per subject area taught (15 minutes per day per subject). Additionally, all students will have one activity per week relating to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and one activity per week relating to Career Readiness. Teachers/staff will provide families with access to supplemental and enrichment resources. Teachers/staff are to communicate frequently with families and regularly check email (replying within 24 hours). Special education timelines will be monitored and to the greatest extent possible, teachers/staff will conduct required meetings (virtually/phone). All staff will continue to have regular communication with their supervisors.
Student Expectations
Students are expected to continue to participate in activities daily and complete work to the best of their ability. Students should establish daily routines for engagement and be responsible for independent learning while maintaining a positive mindset. Students are expected to conduct themselves with academic integrity and comply with internet safety and online etiquette. Work can be reviewed by teachers but will not be graded. Students and families are strongly encouraged to communicate regularly with staff should they have specific questions or needs.
Special Education
Teachers/staff will collaborate with team members to develop student specific resources and activities for students and families to access during the closure. Teachers/staff will establish and maintain communication with families and students when possible via telephone, virtual meetings, and email. Teachers/staff will document communication for each individual student. Teachers/staff will provide students and families with access to supplemental and enriching online resources. Teachers/staff will monitor special education document timelines and when possible conduct required meetings remotely (virtually/phone). If you have any further questions or concerns, you may also contact Mrs. Sherry Glosek, Supervisor of Special Education, at sglosek@indians.k12.pa.us.
State Assessments
All PSSA testing and Keystone exams for the 2019-20 school year have been cancelled by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Additionally, standardized testing for students in career and technical education (CTE) programs for the 2019-20 school year have been cancelled. On March 20, The College Board posted some very important information concerning this year's AP Exams. AP Exams will not be conducted face-to-face this year and tests will be adjusted to reflect school closures. Please visit www.collegeboard.org for more information.
Meals
Grab n Go Meals will continue to be distributed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Shamokin Area Annex parking lot/playground. As of Thursday, April 9, 2020. We have provided over 12,000 meals to our students.
Resources
There are several resources listed on our website. Please note that the resources contained within the site are purely optional, and students who do not complete these activities will not fall behind, nor will they be penalized. Our primary concern is for the health and well-being of our students, families, staff, and community.
In addition to your child’s teacher(s), administrators, counselors, nurses, occupational therapists, behavior specialists, speech therapists, gifted teachers, English as a Second Language teacher, psychologists, special education teachers, and social workers are also available during the day via email. Feel free to contact them as needed to provide support and respond to your questions or concerns.
Administrative Contacts
Chris J. Venna, Superintendent, cvenna@indians.k12.pa.us
Mary Teresa Komara, Curriculum Coordinator, mtkomara@indians.k12.pa.us
Sherry Glosek, Supervisor of Special Education, sglosek@indians.k12.pa.us
Todd Hockenbroch, MS/HS Principal, thockenbroch@indians.k12.pa.us
Henry Hynoski, Dean of Students, hhynoski@indians.k12.pa.us
Rick Kashner, Athletic Director, rkashner@indians.k12.pa.us
Mike Keefer, Elementary Principal, mkeefer@indians.k12.pa.us
Anthony Carnuccio, Elementary Assistant Principal, acarnuccio@indians.k12.pa.us
Once again, I want to thank you all for your patience and cooperation. I am thankful for the support of our amazing Shamokin Area community. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. And remember to please STAY SAFE.
Sincerely,
Chris J. Venna
Superintendent
Below are links that have up-to-date information concerning the Coronavirus.
Click Here For Our District Continuity of Education Plan
Click HERE For A Statment From The PIAA on Coronavirus
CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
WHO – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
**First day of the 2020-21 school year is set for Monday, August 24, 2020
Shamokin Area School District Comprehension Plan revised 8/15/17
We are now registering students for the 2020-2021 school year.
The Signal is an entirely student-run publication dedicated to informing the school and surrounding community in a truthful and ethical manner.
Superintendents of the CSIU 16 region reach out to local newspaper for help regarding Cyber School tuition rates. Also See PACHARTERCHANGE.ORG
Foodfinder.us is a nonprofit website and app that offers the location and contact information of more than 40,000 food pantries and similar food programs across the country.
Families in need of adequate shelter can apply for low interest loan.
