Visit our KDHSA Online Learning Webpage for a complete list of resources. See below for parent updates.
\r\nMarch 18, 2020
\r\nDear Discovery Parents and Guardians,
\r\nWe hope our Swamp Owl families are healthy and doing well.
\r\nMost of us, like you, are feeling overwhelmed and unsettled right now, with so many uncertainties and things changing daily. Our job as educators is to do what we do BEST…….teach, mentor, coach, connect, support, and love our students. Our teaching helps us and helps you, but mainly helps our 1,850 swamp owls.
\r\nKDHSA administrators, teachers, and support staff have worked over the last few days with passion, creativity, flexibility, and true HEART to create a robust Distance Learning Program that will keep our students connected to their school community and provide meaningful learning experiences. We held virtual staff meetings and collaborative virtual sessions on Monday and Tuesday to create a distance learning program that includes continuity in instruction, school culture, connected community, wellness, and family support.
\r\nContinuity of Instruction
\r\nWe will make this transition to distance learning easily accessible and manageable for parents and students. Administrators and Teachers have created tutorials, videos, and documents to clearly explain expectations and procedures. We are anticipating that it will take some time for families and students to feel comfortable with distance learning, and we are here to support you.
\r\nWe are expecting students to work on academics for 3 hours per day. We will provide sample daily schedule ideas to help you and the students plan their day. Teachers will use Google Classrooms to host their online classes. All resources, instructional videos, assignments, links, and teacher feedback will be hosted through Google. Teachers and Administrators will host Google Hangout virtual office hours and virtual meetings to connect with students and families regularly. Specific guidance will be sent from LS, MS, and HS Administration.
\r\nIt will not be perfect for you or for us. Please use patience and kindness when you give us feedback about what is working and what is not working as well.
\r\nYou will be able to find all important resources using the following link:
\r\nKDHSA Distance Learning Website
\r\n(Launching at 7:30 AM on 3/19)
\r\n\r\nStudent Support Services
\r\nSchool Counselors
\r\nMichelle McCrary, Director of Counseling: [email protected]
\r\nMichelle Duplantier, Social Worker: [email protected]
\r\nKristen Centanni, Counselor: [email protected]
\r\nClaire Barry, Counselor: [email protected]
\r\nMental Health and Wellness
\r\nOur students need to remain emotionally well during this time. In the event of a crisis, students should text the Teen Crisis Text Line at 504-777-3273. For additional guidance, the following resource is helpful in managing mental health in uncertain times. Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
\r\nSPED Coordinators
\r\nStacey Stemke, 6th/7th & 10th-12th: [email protected]
\r\nTheresa Nicholls, 1st-5th: [email protected]
\r\nJudith Nordurft, Jefferson Kindergarten and 8th/9th: [email protected]
\r\nTech Support
\r\nChristy Aymami, Director of Educational Technology: [email protected]
\r\nCarrie Comardelle, K-4: [email protected]
\r\nChristy Aymami, 5-8: [email protected]
\r\nKate Jensen, 9-12: [email protected]
\r\nStudent Supplies
\r\nStudent supplies/books from their desks/lockers have been packed in bags and tagged for delivery. Our wonderful Honors Transportation bus drivers have agreed to a home delivery of their supplies. This is being organized today. Deliveries will likely occur Thursday and Friday. Supplies will be dropped on your front porch to limit physical contact.
\r\nWe are tallying the IT survey now. Computers will be distributed (most likely) in carpool style lines for those who have no computer in the house. We have also posted resources for WiFi connectivity that is low cost to all families with K-12 children. We are hoping to distribute computers by Friday, but stay tuned for updates.
\r\nIf you did not take the survey yet, click: Student/Family Technology Access and Use Survey 2020
\r\nWiFi Information:
\r\nInternet Access for Students: FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has launched the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, which many broadband carriers have signed. For the next 60 days, its core provisions will:
\r\nnot terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to
the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic;
waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances
related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them
Additionally limited income households can apply for $5 to $10 per month internet access (AT&T Access, CenturyLink Lifeline).
\r\nCharter Communication will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a subscription.
Cox Communications is offering
Limited-time, first month free of Connect2Compete service, 9.95/month thereafter
Until May 15, 2020, provide phone and remote desktop support through Cox Complete Care at no charge
Resources for discounted, refurbished equipment through our association with PCs for People
A Learn from Home toolkit for schools, including instructions on how to fast-track eligible students without internet access
School Sponsored Events/Performances/Athletics
\r\nWe understand that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding future events at Discovery schools, including but not limited to our first ever KDHSA graduation and prom, stepping up ceremony, pinning ceremony, artistic performances, and athletics. We do not know what the next weeks and months will bring, but we do know our Seniors will walk across a stage at some point. It may be a different date, but it will happen. An integral part of the Discovery culture is to celebrate the accomplishments of our students from K-12th grade. That remains a priority to us. We will make these celebrations happen in some manner at some location on some date in the future.
\r\nCommunity Feeding Locations
\r\nDiscovery families can go to any of the 14 locations to pick up a free Grab and Go meal location even if the site is not their home school.
\r\nThe grab and go locations are:
\r\nBissonet Plaza Elementary: 6818 Kawanee Drive in Metairie
Emmett Gilbert School: 435 S. Jamie Blvd. in Westwego
Fisher: 2529 Jean Lafitte Blvd. in Lafitte
Grand Isle School: 149 Ludwig Ln. in Grand Isle (11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at this location)
Gretna Middle: 910 Gretna Blvd. in Gretna
Hazel Park Elementary: 8809 Jefferson Hwy. in River Ridge
Marie Riviere Elementary: 1564 Lake Ave. in Metairie
Marrero Middle: 4100 7th Street in Marrero
Meisler Middle: 3700 Cleary Ave. in Metairie
Riverdale High: 240 Riverdale Drive in Jefferson
Terrytown Elementary: 550 E. Forest Lawn Drive in Terrytown
Truman School: 5417 Ehret Road in Marrero
Woods Elementary: 1037 31st Street in Kenner
Worley Middle: 801 Spartans Drive in Westwego
Meals will be offered to any child age 18 and under (21 and under for special education students) regardless of whether they are a Jefferson Parish Schools student. Children must be present with an adult to receive a meal. Meals will include lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning. The grab and go service will include pick-up lines outside the school for families to drive through or walk up. In order to avoid creating a large crowd, it is important that families immediately leave campus after receiving their meal and packet.
\r\nDr.Glaser has spoken with Dr. Brumley. If the need for additional Grab and Go locations is needed, we will open the Maine campus for this service.
\r\nCOVID-19 Illness Reporting
\r\nWe are asking all members of our community to communicate any confirmed COVID-19 related illnesses to us so that we can best assess the impact on our school, and how that relates to safely returning to campus. Please report these cases to our school nurse, Olivia Todaro, [email protected]
\r\nWe look forward to working with you closely as we journey together into distance learning. Don’t forget to practice social distancing, get outside, and do one thing daily that makes you feel good. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
\r\n#SwampOwlPride #OwlUp #HEART
\r\nIn the words of Eddie Fisher:
\r\nYou've gotta have HEART
\r\nAll you really need is HEART
\r\n(When the odds are sayin you'll never win
\r\nThat's when the grin should start)
\r\n\r\n
With a Virtual HUG and Caring HEART,
\r\nKDHSA Administrative Team