Catalyst Maria Parent Letter 3.23.2020
March 23, 2020
To our Catalyst Maria Families: The situation of our Nation has set a new level of emergency for all of us and we have created a strong plan to support all families in our community. This week, the Catalyst Maria Schools Education team has been meeting to develop and finalize the educational plan for the scholars of our community until at least April 20, 2020.
Our team is committed to the following supports:
1. Having weekly check ins with each scholar by an identified educator in the building
2. Making sure all scholars have the social and emotional support that is needed in a time of emergency as we are experiencing.
3. Distributing 1:1 technology and internet access to all scholars so they can access the rigorous instruction they can complete as they do in their daily classroom starting April 2nd, 2020.
4. Teachers planning daily lessons that will be shared with scholars to complete for enrichment credit to support the grades they were earning when they left the building on March 13th, 2020.
Plan of Action:
1. Teachers will be calling this week to do a check in with scholars and families. Please share any needs or concerns you have so we can support you the best we can.
2. Our deans and social workers will be checking in with families. If you need to contact the Culture team, email Christina King at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Carlos Solis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you need to contact our Specialized Services team, K-8 email Jill Smith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 9-12 Angelica Sanders at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
3. Assignments will continue to be posted on the Catalyst website or shared via DoJo or Google Classroom by the scholar’s teacher(s), depending on the scholar’s grade level, from March 30th – April 20th.
- Grades K-8 communication on DoJo
- Grades 9-12 communication on Google Classroom via the Wiki page or individual teacher
- We will be doing this in groups of 10 from the security entrance. Please be patient as we must follow guidelines.
- We will have a point person to distribute numbers to cars as they enter the parking lot.
- You will receive a packet of information that includes your Illuminate log in and scholar email for google classroom access if they have forgotten it.
- Overview of E-Learning Expectations for All Students
- Catalyst Maria Scholars: You are getting ready to start 20 days of Virtual and E Learning Days
- Below you will find all the information you need to know about Virtual and E Learning at Catalyst Maria
- If you have platform questions or need a password reset
Distribution of technology will occur on April 2nd from 9:00am – 2:00 pm.
The expectation is for all scholars to continue with their education during the district’s closure, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scholars are expected to turn in their assignments. Teachers will be expected to provide necessary feedback to scholars during the day. Teachers will be communicating with scholars, via email/Google Classroom, with more specific details on instruction, as well as their availability during the day for questions, feedback, or concerns.
Please note: Any questions regarding assignments for at home learning should be directed toward your scholar’s teacher(s). Teachers will be in contact with administrators, and building Principals, for any areas of need. The district recognizes that our families will be undergoing difficult circumstances during this time, which is why our teachers and staff will remain flexible on due dates for submitting assignments. There will be opportunities for scholars to redo assignments, in order to demonstrate mastery. Catalyst Maria School’s overall goal is to provide the necessary support, for scholars to be able to continue their education and be prepared academically when returning to school.
What About Grading? Scholars who continue to complete their work on time and with high quality will continue to increase their grade. Note that a scholar who was not passing on March 13th and continues to not complete work will come back with the same grade and have less chance of changing it. If the scholars commit to completing their work, it will continue to increase their grade and have no negative impact on it.
Since we had to cancel Scholar Led Conferences on March 26th and 27th, we will be mailing grades home this week. The grades you see will reflect your scholar’s grade as of March 13th, 2020.
We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding regarding the grading structure as we await further guidelines from the Illinois State Board of Education. Any updates on this process will be communicated to our scholars, parents, and staff.
Finally, this is a historic moment for the Catalyst Maria family to come together to support each other and ensure all families are safe, healthy, and able to continue educating your scholars. I will be having on-line parent town hall meetings April 7, 8, and 9th from 9:00-10:00a and 5:00-6:00p. You can access them on line athttps://meet.google.com/sfu-yjwb-rzq OR call at 1 267-483-9932 PIN: 693 722 203#
Virtual and E Learning Information for Scholars
Academic Expectations
All Academic Expectations will be posted for each class on the Catalyst Maria Virtual and E Learning Google Site by 8:00 am on Tuesday, March 31th.
Each class will have their own Virtual and E Learning Syllabi/Outline posted on the Catalyst Maria Virtual and E Learning Google Site which will outline all your assignments (how they will be graded, how they
should be turned in and when they are due). The Syllabus will also capture the best way to communicate with your teacher and how to access feedback and support (office hours, google classroom, Google Hangout Videos and more).
When you finish an assignment, submit it as your teacher directs.
○ K-8 scholars communicated to your teacher through DoJo and teachers will put in an IT ticket.
○ 9-12 scholars communicate to your seminar teacher through REMIND and teachers will put in an IT ticket.
Communication with Staff Members Expectations
Contact your teacher via email Catalyst Maria teacher email list or under contact information located here. Teachers will be available via email and Google Chat from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. During that time, they will be very responsive. Although some teachers may respond, you should not expect a response outside of those hours and they will return your message first thing in the morning.
If you are having trouble getting in touch with your teacher, here is the alternative point of contact- Ms. Sandoval- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..org
If you have paperwork packets (instead of Virtual/E Learning Assignments), you can pick them up from the school Tuesday, March 31st -Friday, April 3 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Once assignments are complete, you can either 1) email it your teachers OR 2) take pictures/scan and email to your teacher.
If you are need of anyone to talk to, please reach out to Ms. Sandoval-- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Social Emotional and Counseling Supports: This time can bring immense amounts of uncertainty, inconsistency and fear. We will continue to offer regular scheduled counseling as well as our counselors, Ms. Cain (K-8), Mr. Solis (K-8) and Ms. Burnette (9th-12th) will still be reaching out to schedule and set up Counseling check Ins virtually.
If you need to contact them:
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If scholars are in need of any social emotional/counseling supports they can complete our Catalyst Maria SEL/Culture Referral Form
If students are unable to get to the school for any of our resources (food, technology, work packets, internet sign up) they can fill out ourCatalyst Maria Resource Form.
Please feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dawn Sandoval
20 de marzo 2020
Para nuestras Familias Catalyst Maria: La situación de nuestra Nación ha establecido un nuevo nivel de emergencia para todos nosotros y hemos creado un plan fuerte para apoyar a todas las familias en nuestra comunidad. Esta semana, el equipo de Educación de las Escuelas Catalyst Maria se ha reunido para desarrollar y finalizar el plan educativo para los estudiantes de nuestra comunidad hasta al menos el 20 de abril de 2020.
Nuestro equipo está comprometido con los siguientes apoyos:
1. Tener comunicación cada semana con cada estudiante por un educador identificado en el edificio.
2. Asegurarnos de que todos los eruditos tengan el apoyo social y emocional que se necesita en un momento de emergencia a medida que estamos experimentando.
3. Distribuir la tecnología 1:1 y el acceso a Internet a todos los estudiantes para que puedan completar la instrucción que pueden completar como lo hacen en la clase diariamente a partir del 2 de abril de 2020.
4. Los maestros estarán planeando material regularmente que será compartido con los estudiantes para crédito de enriquecimiento para apoyar las calificaciones que obtenían los estudiantes al salir del edificio el 13 de marzo de 2020.
Plan de Acción:
1. Los maestros estarán llamando a casa para hacer un chequeo con los estudiantes y familias. Por favor, comparta cualquier necesidad o inquietud que tenga para que podamos apoyarlo lo mejor que podamos.
2. Nuestros miembros del equipo de disciplina y trabajadores sociales se pondrán en consulta con las familias. Si necesita ponerse en contacto con el equipo de Disciplina, envíe un correo electrónico a Christina King a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. o a Carlos Solís al This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Si necesita ponerse en contacto con nuestro equipo de Servicios Especializados, k-8 envíe un correo electrónico a Jill Smith a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. o al 9-12 Angelica Sanders en This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
3. Las tareas continuarán siendo publicadas en el sitio web de Catalyst o compartidas a través de DoJo o Google Classroom por los maestros, dependiendo del nivel de grado del estudiante, del 30 de marzo al 20 de abril.
La distribución de tecnología ocurra el 2 de April de 9:00am – 2:00pm
La expectativa es que todos los estudiantes continúen con su educación durante el cierre del distrito, como resultado de la pandemia COVID-19. Se espera que los estudiantes entreguen sus tareas. Se espera que los maestros proporcionen los comentarios necesarios a los estudiantes durante el día. Los maestros se comunicarán con los estudiantes, por correo electrónico/Google Classroom, con detalles más específicos sobre la instrucción, así como su disponibilidad durante el día para preguntas, comentarios o inquietudes.
Tenga en cuenta: Cualquier pregunta con respecto a las tareas para el aprendizaje en el hogar debe dirigirse a los maestros de su alumno. Los maestros estarán en contacto con los administradores, y los directores de construcción, para cualquier área de necesidad. El distrito reconoce que nuestras familias sufrirán circunstancias difíciles durante este tiempo, razón por la cual nuestros maestros y personal permanecerán flexibles en las fechas para entregar tareas. Habrá oportunidades para que los estudiantes rehagan tareas. El objetivo general de Catalyst Maria School es proporcionar el apoyo necesario, para que los estudiantes puedan continuar su educación y estar preparados académicamente al regresar a la escuela.
¿Qué pasa con la calificación? Los estudiantes que continúen completando su trabajo a tiempo y con alta calidad continuarán aumentando su grado. Tenga en cuenta que un alumno que no estaba pasando el 13 de marzo y continúa sin completar el trabajo regresará con el mismo grado y tendrá menos posibilidades de cambiarlo. Si los estudiantes se comprometen a completar su trabajo, continuará aumentando su calificación y no tendrá ningún impacto negativo.
Ya que tuvimos que cancelar las Conferencias los días 26 y 27 de marzo, enviaremos las calificaciones a casa esta semana. Las calificaciones que vea reflejarán la calificación de su estudiante a partir del 13 de marzo de 2020.
Agradecemos enormemente su paciencia y comprensión con respecto a la estructura de calificación a medida que esperamos más dirección del estado de Illinois. Cualquier actualización sobre este proceso será comunicada a nuestros alumnos, padres y personal.
Finalmente, este es un momento histórico para que la familia Catalyst Maria se una para apoyarse mutuamente y asegurar que todas las familias estén seguras, saludables y capaces de seguir educando a sus estudiantes. Tendré reuniones en línea de los padres el 7, 8 y 9 de abril de 9:00-10:00a y 5:00-6:00p. Puede acceder la reunión en línea enhttps://meet.google.com/sfu-yjwb-rzq o llame al 1 267-483-9932 PIN: 693 722 203#
Información de aprendizaje virtual y E-Learning para alumnos
Expectativas Académicas
Todas las expectativas académicas se publicarán para cada clase en el sitio de Google Classroom o virtualmente antes de las 8:00am del martes 31 de marzo.
Cada clase tendrá su propio Virtual y E-Learning plan de estudios publicados en Google Classroom, que describirá todas sus tareas (cómo se calificarán, cómo deben ser entregados y las fechas de entrega). El plan de estudio también capturará la mejor manera de comunicarse con su maestro y cómo acceder a los comentarios y el apoyo (horas de oficina, aula de Google, Google Hangout Videos y más).
Cuando termine su tarea envíela como su maestro le indique.
Expectativas de comunicación con los miembros de la escuela
Póngase en contacto con su maestro por correo electrónico de la lista de correo electrónico del maestro de Catalyst Maria o bajo la información de contacto que se encuentra aquí. Los profesores estarán disponibles por correo electrónico y Google Chat de 9:00 am a 3:00 pm. Durante ese tiempo, serán muy receptivos. Aunque algunos maestros pueden responder, usted no debe esperar una respuesta fuera de esas horas y ellos devolverán su mensaje a primera hora de la mañana.
Si tiene problemas para ponerse en contacto con su maestro/a, aquí está el punto alternativo de contacto Sra. Sandoval- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Si tiene paquetes de trabajo (en lugar de tareas publicadas en Virtual/E-Learning), puede recogerlos de la escuela el martes 31 de marzo al viernes, del 3 de abril de 9:00am. a 2:00pm. Una vez completadas las tareas, puede 1) enviarlo por correo electrónico a sus maestros/as O 2) tomar fotos/escanear y enviar por correo electrónico a su maestro/a.
Si necesita hablar con alguien por favor de ponerse en contacto con Sra. Sandoval – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Apoyos emocionales y de consejería social: Esta vez puede traer inmensas cantidades de incertidumbre, incoherencia y miedo. Continuaremos ofreciendo asesoramiento regular programado, así como nuestras consejeras, la Sra. Cain (K-8), el Sr. Sois (K-8) y la Sra. Burnette (9-12) seguirán contactando para programar y establecer comprobaciones de consejera virtualmente.
Si necesita ponerse en contacto con ellos:
● Sra. Cain- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
● Sr. Solis- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
● Sra. Burnette- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Si los estudiantes necesitan cualquier apoyo emocional social/consejería, pueden completar nuestro Formulario de Referencia de Catalyst Maria SEL/Cultura.
Si los estudiantes no pueden llegar a la escuela por cualquiera de nuestros recursos (alimentos, tecnología, paquetes de trabajo, registro de Internet) pueden llenar nuestro Formulario de Recursos de Maria Catalyst.
Por favor, no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo en dsandoval-catalystschools.org.
Dawn Sandoval