Harvey Elementary / V.A. School Day
Full Day - 9:00 - 3:50
Half Day - 9:00 - 12:04
Harvey Attendance Line - 797-5199
Specialist Schedules - 10:15 - 11:05
Monday - Music with Mrs. Rosso
Tuesday - Media Center with Mrs. Noechel
Wednesday - ISM with Mr. Jackson
Thursday - Art with Mrs. Boyko
Friday - Gym with Mr. Pfromm
Monday - Music with Mrs. Rosso
Tuesday - Media Center with Mrs. Noechel
Wednesday - ISM with Mr. Jackson
Thursday - Art with Mrs. Boyko
Friday - Gym with Mr. Pfromm
Daily Routines are an important part of our day. Here is the general schedule we will follow ...
9:00 - 9:10 - Article of the Day & Attendance
9:10 - 9:30 - Morning Meeting
9:30 - 10:15 - Social Studies
10:15 - 11:05 - Specials
11:05 - 12:00 - Math
12:00 - 12:40 - Lunch
12:40 - 1:00 - Documented Silent Reading
1:00 - 1:20 - Chapter Book
1:20 - 2:45 - Language Arts Block
2:45 - 3:00 - Afternoon Break
3:00 - 3:50 - Science
3:50 - Dismissal
9:00 - 9:10 - Article of the Day & Attendance
9:10 - 9:30 - Morning Meeting
9:30 - 10:15 - Social Studies
10:15 - 11:05 - Specials
11:05 - 12:00 - Math
12:00 - 12:40 - Lunch
12:40 - 1:00 - Documented Silent Reading
1:00 - 1:20 - Chapter Book
1:20 - 2:45 - Language Arts Block
2:45 - 3:00 - Afternoon Break
3:00 - 3:50 - Science
3:50 - Dismissal
COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY!
There are several ways for us to communicate. Hopefully these directions will get you "connected".
Email - This is probably the best and quickest way to get ahold of me. To start, I am asking that everyone email me at Edward.Fromm@uticak12.org I will then add you to my contact list and to the "23-24 Fromm 4th VA" group. This is how you will receive group messages, daily updates, assignment/project directions, and other communications. Please provide email addresses of any family members you want included in our class group. For example, if your child will be spending days with a grandma and grandpa, you may want to add them to the group, so they get any updates too. Your email address will be kept private and not seen by other families in the class.
Phone - My phone number is 797- 5142. It will ring directly to the room before and after school. During the school day, your call will be redirected to the office. I am usually to school by 7:15 a.m., but there are no guarantees for after school.
Remind - This texting service will be used for last minute reminders or in the rare case when the school district's Internet service goes out. This is a way that I can reach you quickly without depending on the school computers or Internet. Simply text "@2324fro" to 81010 to enroll.
You can also click this link to join our Remind class.
Email - This is probably the best and quickest way to get ahold of me. To start, I am asking that everyone email me at Edward.Fromm@uticak12.org I will then add you to my contact list and to the "23-24 Fromm 4th VA" group. This is how you will receive group messages, daily updates, assignment/project directions, and other communications. Please provide email addresses of any family members you want included in our class group. For example, if your child will be spending days with a grandma and grandpa, you may want to add them to the group, so they get any updates too. Your email address will be kept private and not seen by other families in the class.
Phone - My phone number is 797- 5142. It will ring directly to the room before and after school. During the school day, your call will be redirected to the office. I am usually to school by 7:15 a.m., but there are no guarantees for after school.
Remind - This texting service will be used for last minute reminders or in the rare case when the school district's Internet service goes out. This is a way that I can reach you quickly without depending on the school computers or Internet. Simply text "@2324fro" to 81010 to enroll.
You can also click this link to join our Remind class.
TIME MANAGEMENT & FLEXIBILITY IN LEARNING
The flexibility of online learning can be a great advantage, when and if we all have good time management skills. This time management will be a main focus the first months of school. Knowing how and when to complete our work is the most important aspect of a successful online learning environment. Routines, communication, asking for help when it is needed, and accepting that we are all going to make mistakes are the four main ingredients of a successful virtual academy experience.
In a traditional classroom, we spend lots of time at the beginning of the year learning routines: how to line up in the correct order for lunch, when is the right time for bathroom breaks, pushing in our chairs to help with movement around the classroom, keeping our desks clean, and how, when, and where to turn in paperwork. These are things we don’t need to worry about in the virtual classroom.
Effective time management, online expectations/behaviors, learning new technologies, and personal responsibility will all be our main focus. Success with these aspects of our education will allow for greater flexibility in our school day and allow us to not be in front of a computer screen for six hours a day. These skills are learned behaviors that take practice and are enhanced by focusing on a daily / weekly schedule that everyone can become familiar with. Tasks will take longer at the beginning of the year but with repetitive practice, effective record keeping, and non-stop communication, will get us to a point where we can spend less time staring at a computer and more time actually getting meaningful work done.
In a traditional classroom, we spend lots of time at the beginning of the year learning routines: how to line up in the correct order for lunch, when is the right time for bathroom breaks, pushing in our chairs to help with movement around the classroom, keeping our desks clean, and how, when, and where to turn in paperwork. These are things we don’t need to worry about in the virtual classroom.
Effective time management, online expectations/behaviors, learning new technologies, and personal responsibility will all be our main focus. Success with these aspects of our education will allow for greater flexibility in our school day and allow us to not be in front of a computer screen for six hours a day. These skills are learned behaviors that take practice and are enhanced by focusing on a daily / weekly schedule that everyone can become familiar with. Tasks will take longer at the beginning of the year but with repetitive practice, effective record keeping, and non-stop communication, will get us to a point where we can spend less time staring at a computer and more time actually getting meaningful work done.
PAST PARENT PERSPECTIVE
I've learned a lot over the last two years. Most importantly, I learned to listen to my parents even more than when we were in a traditional classroom. While my goal is to have my students do 90% of their work without parent help, they are still in your home, and you will be the first adults they go to when they need help when I am not available. Past parents gave me the following advice for what I should change and not change for the 22-23 school year. As I plan for this year, I hope I have addressed everything in the second section below.
Things that went well or that they liked best...
MrFromm.com for ease of use, easy to get to and clear view of what was done / due that day.
Morning meetings to set daily expectations.
Constantly changing things up while keeping the same routine.
The use of different technologies to make learning fun and meaningful.
Individual meetings when individuals and groups need extra attention.
Expectations, pace and time on screen was appropriate.
It still felt like the kids were in school. The schedule, and the way the class was lead, helped the kids stay on task and directed throughout the school day.
What needed improvement...
A "camera on when class is in session" requirement.
Physical handwriting of some kind.
PowerSchool was a nightmare.
Students talking/texting when they should be working.
Social development of some kind.
PAST STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
Here is what past students had to say about our VA class....
What was the one thing we did that you liked best that I need to keep doing?
- Fun Fridays!
- All of our online tools: Nearpod, Dreamscape, Gimkit, Blooket, Prodigy, and Boddle.
- Escape Room Challenges.
- Playing 20 questions.
- Reading novels to us and then watching the movies.
- Morning meetings so we can still talk and learn about each other.
- Journal writing and sharing.
What was the one thing we did that I should probably stop doing?
- NWEA Testing (not an option, sorry).
- Hard math assignments.
- Fewer math and reading puzzles.
- Nothing! (47% of the class).
What is one piece of advice your would give to an incoming 4th grade VA student?
- Stay off YouTube when you're supposed to be working, he sees everything!
- You are going to learn a lot and have fun.
- You'll love Fun Fridays so get your work done.
- It's always okay to make mistakes.
- He likes to joke around a lot but stay away from Ohio!
Is there anything you wish we would have done this year that we didn't do?
- Field Day!
- More free time.
- Class parties.
What was the number one thing you liked about our class?
- Fun Fridays
- Working in breakout rooms with our friends.
- Being at home and learning even more.
- Making new friends and playing games with them.
- Everyone was nice.
- I liked that everyone was kind and no one bullied anybody.
- When Mr. Fromm read books to us after lunch.
- That we came from all over Utica.
What was the one thing we did that you liked best that I need to keep doing?
- Fun Fridays!
- All of our online tools: Nearpod, Dreamscape, Gimkit, Blooket, Prodigy, and Boddle.
- Escape Room Challenges.
- Playing 20 questions.
- Reading novels to us and then watching the movies.
- Morning meetings so we can still talk and learn about each other.
- Journal writing and sharing.
What was the one thing we did that I should probably stop doing?
- NWEA Testing (not an option, sorry).
- Hard math assignments.
- Fewer math and reading puzzles.
- Nothing! (47% of the class).
What is one piece of advice your would give to an incoming 4th grade VA student?
- Stay off YouTube when you're supposed to be working, he sees everything!
- You are going to learn a lot and have fun.
- You'll love Fun Fridays so get your work done.
- It's always okay to make mistakes.
- He likes to joke around a lot but stay away from Ohio!
Is there anything you wish we would have done this year that we didn't do?
- Field Day!
- More free time.
- Class parties.
What was the number one thing you liked about our class?
- Fun Fridays
- Working in breakout rooms with our friends.
- Being at home and learning even more.
- Making new friends and playing games with them.
- Everyone was nice.
- I liked that everyone was kind and no one bullied anybody.
- When Mr. Fromm read books to us after lunch.
- That we came from all over Utica.
SCHOOL SUPPLY SUGGESTIONS
Computer Mouse - I strongly suggest that you purchase a mouse for your child to use with their laptop. It is not required, but using the trackpad can be tricky at times, and a mouse is very helpful. Amazon has wired and wireless models for $10 and that will be the best money you'll spend all year.
Headphones or Speakers - These are also suggested, especially if your child is not going to have a quiet, dedicated place to work.
Headphones or Speakers - These are also suggested, especially if your child is not going to have a quiet, dedicated place to work.
ASSUMPTIONS
One thing I've learned, as a general rule, is that if you think your child is in their room, down the basement, or in the den quietly working for an extended period of time.... they probably aren't! I give lots of breaks and expect lots of communication throughout the day. Kids will be kids and will try and get away with what they can. There will be lots of communication between myself and parents as we establish routines and expectations for how we do things. I would suggest not allowing your child to have their cell phone, or other technology devices, right next them during the school day - just like if they were in a traditional classroom.
VIRTUAL CLASSROOM ISSUES
Every classroom has issues that they deal with. A virtual classroom is no different, but the issues we deal with are. Most importantly, that is not your child's computer. It belongs to the school district, which means nothing on it is private. My DyKnow software allows me to see everything. Anything typed in the text chain can be retrieved, and there is always someone watching and listening to what is going on. I know these are kids and we all know kids make mistakes. It is our job to teach them what is acceptable and what is not.
We will deal with plagiarism. At some point, someone will copy and paste their work. It is my job to explain what this is, why it is wrong, and what could/will happen in the future if it is done. Your child will not be "in trouble", but they will need to redo the assignment, you will be contacted and informed of the situation, and it will be shared with the class. This is not done to embarrass the individual, but for all of us to learn from what most kids think they can get away with.
Our virtual classroom, and breakout rooms, are "open". This means that your child can come into these places at any time, unsupervised. In other words, if your child wants to go into breakout room #1, at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday night, to play Minecraft with another classmate, they can do that. I want them to have the freedom to socially interact with others to build a sense of community. With this freedom comes great responsibility though. The second golden rule, after "always restart your computer when having technical issues", is there is always someone listening and watching when you are on your school computer in a school provided environment. I promise you, we will run into issues, but I also promise you that these are important life skills that we should deal with. Just like arguments happen on the playground or lunchroom in a traditional school building, we will deal with our issues as a united front working together to make sure they young people understand the expectations of an online world.
We will deal with plagiarism. At some point, someone will copy and paste their work. It is my job to explain what this is, why it is wrong, and what could/will happen in the future if it is done. Your child will not be "in trouble", but they will need to redo the assignment, you will be contacted and informed of the situation, and it will be shared with the class. This is not done to embarrass the individual, but for all of us to learn from what most kids think they can get away with.
Our virtual classroom, and breakout rooms, are "open". This means that your child can come into these places at any time, unsupervised. In other words, if your child wants to go into breakout room #1, at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday night, to play Minecraft with another classmate, they can do that. I want them to have the freedom to socially interact with others to build a sense of community. With this freedom comes great responsibility though. The second golden rule, after "always restart your computer when having technical issues", is there is always someone listening and watching when you are on your school computer in a school provided environment. I promise you, we will run into issues, but I also promise you that these are important life skills that we should deal with. Just like arguments happen on the playground or lunchroom in a traditional school building, we will deal with our issues as a united front working together to make sure they young people understand the expectations of an online world.