Remember there are due dates set on Teams…HOWEVER, teachers acknowledge that since we are all at home in self isolations and with the COVID-19 protocols in places…school is not what school used to be.  Therefore, due dates are flexible…to a certain degree.

The due dates are a guide for students…there is flexibility…within reason.  If you are having computer problems and you are still are trying to figure out Teams and how to complete and turn in assignments…no problem.   I probably will not start marking the work until about a week later anyway…because I am figuring things out as well.

*You do not need to email me or let me know about assignments being a couple of days late.

If you have questions about the assignment please use Teams to contact me between 9:00am to 3:00pm on school days (Monday to Friday)…this is the quickest and easiest way to get in contact with me.  (After 3:00pm…just like regular school, I probably will not respond until the next day.)

*Also do not forget to “Check-in” with all your teachers on a weekly basis!  Teachers are to report “NO-check-in” students at the end of the week!

• Teachers have been directed to ensure we have contact with all our students at least once a week and to input “attendance” so the school can track who is responding and who is not.

• It is more about ensuring our students are ok…it is not about being in trouble.  Don’t forget if you need help please reach out!  I hope you are all doing well and getting into the rhythm of school online.

• Please remember that I am available mostly during what would be school hours Monday to Friday (9:00am to 3:00pm).

• The attendance will be entered with the school at the end of the week…so it is important for you to “check-in” with all your teachers in your courses!

Hello all,

The chat feature on Teams is no longer available, however, I will try to set up a private class channel for us to still contact each other.

You may also email me…but I am worried about a huge number of emails I would be receiving so I am hoping the private channels will the the main way for us to “connect”.

Each student should “check in” with each of their course teachers at least once a week as a way for us to take “attendance.”  This can be completed in a variety of ways…”liking” a message, email, asking a question or a turning in of an assignment.  If we do not hear from you it will be forwarded to the school…

…no – you are not in trouble, but we want to ensure everyone is ok.  This is the main issue…your well being in these unprecedented times.

Take care everyone!

I will still be posting notices/assignments on this blog as well as Teams…and don’t forget to keep your access to Moodle!

Please read and be aware of the VSB Acceptable Use of Technology Policy:

Acceptable Use of Technology Policy

As we set up to deliver instruction online…I will continue to use the HW Blog and Moodle to deliver instruction and for you to submit assignments.

• HW Blog: http://blogs.vsb.bc.ca/pkwon/
• Moodle: https://s-moodle.vsb.bc.ca/s-moodle/login/index.php

I have set up a “Check in Assignment” on Moodle for you to try. You should be able to access the assignment when you sign into Moodle.

(It will be at the top of the course where the course outline is posted.)

This will be due by Thursday, April 9th.  If you are unable to submit…you need to email me asap.

I will slowly start to provide instruction  in the coming days. Again, remember we are all trying to adapt and cope in an ever changing environment…so continue to check your emails, HW Blog and Moodle.

The most important thing for you to remember is to take care of yourself and stay healthy!

Hello all!

I hope you are all holding up and staying healthy and safe.  Please read the four following announcements regarding what is happening with the school situation.  Remember things are constantly changing in this fluid situation so bear in mind we are all trying to figure things out together.

1. In preparation for the new way of delivering learning while the school is not holding classes, you all should have received an email from your Homeroom teachers about being able to contact you through the email address on the MyEd file.

If you did not receive an email, the school will try to make contact with you in the coming days by phone…OR you may want to call the school yourself to update your contact info.

2. You are an active witness to what is happening around us.  This is history in the making…so record your thoughts, observations, feelings and questions in the coming days and weeks.  You can do this by printing out this  link:  KWL Worksheet, or an informal Observations, Questions, Ideas… or just journal or write down your thoughts and reactions as they occur.  This will become part of a submission for the course in the coming days.

3. For my courses, as mentioned in a previous post,  I will continue to use this HW blog and the Moodle as a way to deliver learning.  Obviously the delivery of content will be different and will rely on you being responsibly engaged.

4. If you need someone to talk to, remember that our school counsellors are still available here is a link:

Counselling support while school is closed.  There are additional resources available at the end of the letter.

One of the resources is the Kids Help Phone. To start using the texting service, text CONNECT to 686868. The phone number for Kids Help Phone is 1-800-668-6868. It is a 24/7 service, so you can contact them ANYTIME. Here is the website if you’d like to access resources: https://kidshelpphone.ca/.

If you have any questions please email me!  Keep safe and stay healthy!

FAQs   (Frequently Asked Questions)

*It is expected that formal timelines and information from the school/VSB will be provided in early APRIL, 2020, at which time a further update will be provided.

Q:  What will the “structure” of this online approach look like?

• We will work our way as best we can through the remainder of our course outline.
• Use the teacher blog at  https://blogs.vsb.bc.ca/pkwon/  for regular instructions/directions/due dates/timelines
• Use the course MOODLE to upload/submit work
• Use the course MOODLE for initial guidance to required reading resources, which can be further supplemented by your own research if you desire
• Check your email on a regular basis (daily) for any urgent updates or information
• IF ACCESS TO INTERNET IS AN ISSUE please contact me at pkwon@vsb.bc.ca  to look into alternate arrangements

Q:  How will my marks be assessed?

• Regular electronic communication will be considered much of your engagement criteria
• Assignments posted on the course MOODLE
• Your cumulative Term 2 standing will carry over into Term 3 culminating in a FINAL MARK; it is expected that the habits that we have worked on in this course regarding your personal time management, self-discipline and communication will provide a relatively seamless transition
• Your mark WILL NOT be negatively impacted if you:
  • Maintain regular electronic communication/check-ins
  • Submit/upload the required work
• Your mark WILL be negatively impacted if you:
  • Do not maintain regular electronic communication/check-ins
  • Do not submit/upload the required work

Q:  What if I need help in understanding?

• Quickest way for school work help is my teacher email:   pkwon@vsb.bc.ca
• My “Office Hours” for teacher help: 9am – 3pm, generally Mondays through Fridays
• Of course, most of the time I should be able to read your emails quite promptly, but my replies will most likely occur during “Office Hours” listed above

Q:  How will I know what is required?

• Teacher Blog = instructions
• Course Moodle = resources, assignments, places to submit work

Q:  Will attendance be taken?

• At this point, formal attendance is undetermined
• However our regular electronic communication/check-ins will be used by me to determine your continued engagement in this course
• My expectations regarding how much time you spend on the work involved in the course will be dependent on the actual assignment itself, the due date, and your own personal time management

Q:  What if my work won’t upload?

• Moodle has an upload limit (10MB), so if your file is larger than that you will need to upload/submit a link instead (ie. To YouTube); please ensure that any link includes the means for me to view your work (ie. if there is some form of password required)
• Accepted formats for directly uploading files must be PDF, WordDoc, Powerpoint, or JPEG; if a slide format that you use cannot be uploaded, convert it to a PDF and then upload it

This is an evolving and dynamic situation that we all find ourselves in; if there are further FAQ’s that arise, I will update this list as I am sure that there are areas that I have not thought of.

Please note that we all are trying to adapt in the best ways that we can, and I will provide flexibility within reason as long as there is COMMUNICATION occurring.  Also please note that your teachers will all have different approaches and that all have individual circumstances that will vary accordingly (ie. some will have family care issues, etc.) so the extension of flexibility needs to be mutual; the most important thing throughout all this is to maintain COMMUNICATION.

Finally, above all else, please be safe and practice proper behaviours in this extraordinary situation that we all find ourselves in, and if you require help do not hesitate to reach out.