3/20/20 Update : Nothing New

Nothing new to share today - at least not yet. Just keep an eye out for the that email detailing how to log on and use Edgenuity. If everything stays as it is, we will start virtual classes next Wednesday, 3/25.

Do not be anxious about this. There will be hiccups and unforeseen obstacles. We will tackle them as we come across them. Just remember, these little technology difficulties are small potatoes compared to what is going on in the world. We can handle this!

Stay healthy and I will update here tomorrow  OR later today should something new come up.

Coach

3/19/20 Update

Parents and Students,

I have received word that starting next week (hopefully) classes will resume via an online program called Edgenuity. The district will be sending (if they have not already) an email out to all parents with the details. 

There will be some initial steps parents and students will need to take in order to get online and going. Please do not be intimidated or frustrated by these steps. I have completed about half of the process I need to complete as far as uploading student classes, rosters, and enrolling students in the proper course. It seems to be a very front-end heavy type of thing; once you get rolling, it really isn’t too bad at all and is actually pretty user friendly.

The main thing I need to stress to all my students: you are not on a break or a vacation as of next week. You will need and be expected to take care of your online assignments in a timely manner. Each subject will have the activities for that day neatly mapped out for you. If you do a little bit a day, you will never get behind and stressed. The good news is that you can knock out a full day’s worth of assignments in a couple of hours and then be finished for the day. What you need to understand, however, is that you are going to have to be much more responsible for your own learning than you have been up to this point in your educational careers. If you do not do the work, you will not pass. It is just that simple.

I realize that there are students who do not have online access, computers, or tablets at home. The district is making allowances for that and you should all be receiving instructions on what to do if you do not have adequate technology in the home to do all the work online. Again, YOU will have to be responsible and take the initiative to let the district/campus know your situation and then do what must be done to get the work completed and turned in on time.

You need to all realize that you are living through an historic event; one that will be documented in the history books of the future. The way we handle this unusual and stressful event is going to be the basis for how our generation is remembered. My grandparents lived through World War II and because of the way they conducted themselves are remembered today as “The Greatest Generation.” We all must rise to this new challenge in a similar manner. I have all the faith in the world in each of you. You CAN do this.

I am here to help in any way I can. Once the Edgenuity is set up and running, we will be able to communicate directly via school email and online message boards. We will get through this.

I will update the blog with the latest news tomorrow. In the meantime, please feel free to leave questions in the comment section below. Also, just let me know how you are doing and if you and your family are well.

Coach

3/18 Update on School Closures

Things continue to change on a daily basis regarding school and the Covid-19 related school closures. Today has proven to be no different.

Dr. Craft and the Board of Trustees have decided to extend the closure of all KISD campuses through Friday 3/27. This means school will not reconvene until Monday 3/30. Below is Dr. Craft's statement:

Parents,

Killeen ISD has made the decision to extend the closure of schools at this time through March 27, 2020. Given the difficult circumstances we are currently facing, this is the prudent decision at this time.

This suspension of normal school operations, taken in conjunction with surrounding districts, is in support of the overall effort to “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Killeen ISD is committed to ongoing student learning opportunities while the district is closed.

The District will remain flexible as leaders plan for potential long-term delivery of instruction and continue to navigate the many details of this unprecedented situation. We will continue to update you with details via blackboard and our COVID-19 webpage, www.killeenisd.org/COVID19

Effective immediately, all district events and extracurricular activities are canceled until the District reopens or further notice from the Superintendent.

Our School Nutrition staff will continue our Grab & Go Breakfast and Lunch meals Monday- Friday through March 27, 2020 at the locations listed on the website.

We remain hopeful that staff and students will return to campus soon.

Once again Killeen ISD has extended our COVID-19 closure through March 27, 2020. Please check our district website www.killeenisd.org/covid19 for more information as we continue to engage students in Instructional Continuity.

Thank you for your flexibility during this time,

John Craft

Details regarding online learning opportunities will be forthcoming soon. You can check in daily here or at Killeenisd.org. 

Stay safe,

Coach Mayes

Updates on School Closure

Hello Parents and Students.

I don’t know how many of you might be monitoring this site but I thought I would do my part in keeping everyone informed on what is going on with school during this unusual time.

This morning, our Superintendent, Dr. John Craft, held a press conference in which – among many other things – said that as of now school will resume next Monday, March 23^rd. He stressed that, while this was the goal, the situation remains fluid and the plan could change between now and then. I will keep you up to date here. I would also recommend you check the KISD website regularly (www.killeenisd.org).

Dr. Craft said that, while school will be open, if any parent is uncomfortable sending their child to school during this Corona Virus situation, they do not have to do so. He stressed that, while attendance will be taken, the district would not consider students who do not attend as trua

If you find this entire situation confusing, you are not alone. Please know that we are all simply doing the best we can while navigating a situation the likes of which none of us has ever seen before. Again, I will update here when new details emerge. In the meantime, be well.

My best to you all. 

Chapter 13 Test Tomorrow

Tomorrow the students will take their exam over Chapter 13. The notes for Lesson 3 can be found below. The notes from Lessons 1 and 2 can be found on previous posts.

Chapter 13 - Lesson 2 Notes, Open Notes Quiz Tomorrow

Tomorrow the students will be given an open notes quiz over Chapter 13 - Lessons 1 and 2. The notes from Lesson 1 are attached to the previous post. The notes from Lesson are below.

Chapter 13 - Lesson 1 Notes

Below are the notes for Chapter 13 - Lesson 1. In this chapter we will be discussing the nearly ten year period following the revolution when Texas was a sovereign nation.