DCS students start ‘Remote Learning’ April 13
Students in Demopolis City Schools begin an unprecedented time of remote learning on Monday, April 13, thanks to the global pandemic known as the coronavirus.
Supt. Kyle Kallhoff, in a letter to parents today, outlined how the DCS is working to complete the school year successfully.
Each student will receive a five-week instructional packet which will include a pacing guide to help families navigate through the learning at a pace that is appropriate for the students. Each school’s website also will have the information under a tab titled Remote Learning.
Students in grades K-3 will receive a paper packet. For those in grades 4-11 (and applicable seniors), paper packets will be available, but on-line resources are encouraged. Google Classroom will be the platform used for on-line instruction
“It is important that students complete and do the best they can with the remote learning,” Kallhoff said. “The completion of this five-week packet, either on-line or paper packet, will help determine placement, intervention and enrichment decisions we make for the 2020-2021 school year.”
The packets, either on-line or paper, are to be completed by May 15. A procedure for returning the paper packets will be announced at a later date.
Remote learning packets are to be picked up curbside at each campus on Thursday and Friday, April 9-10, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents and students are to stay in their vehicles while picking up the packets.
Teachers are available via email Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. General questions can be emailed to questions@dcsedu.com and will be responded to as soon as possible. Principals also will answer emailed questions.
Due to the “Stay at Home” order issued by Gov. Kay Ivey on Saturday, April 4, all school offices are closed and will remain so until it is deemed safe to reopen.
“Please know over the next five weeks we will do our best to support you and your children in closing out this school year productively, and we can only pray that things will be back to normal later this summer as we will be preparing for the 2020-2021 school year,” he wrote.
“The COVID-19 pandemic that has literally stopped our world has educators across the nation scrambling to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of our students in ways that are new and uncommon,” he said.
Kallhoff said schoolwork is important, but “you and your family’s health, wellness and safety will always be the number one priority. Remember, love and faith are our constants and love and faith will get us through these difficult times.”
Email address for school principals are: Westside, tlewis@dcsedu.com; U.S. Jones, bpowell@dcsedu.com; Demopolis Middle, dhester@dcsedu.com, and Demopolis High, bhathcock@dcsedu.com.