Modified Learning Handbook

Overview

Modified learning is when CMIS needs to change the format and location of the learning process from which the school normally conducts classes. A modified learning plan (MLP) is implemented if CMIS is unable to conduct classes due to environmental, political, or other forces which prohibit classes from taking place on campus. In such an instance the community will be informed through the regular communication outlets including email, website notice, social media, and SMS messaging.

If the campus is closed for reasons beyond the school’s control, students and staff may be unable to enter the campus. In such times, the school leadership will require teachers to plan the following structures for their students, moving classes to an online environment:

  • Synchronous, interactive teaching with a teacher virtually, which would occur during normal class times

  • Asynchronous learning to ensure the opportunity to learn for all students in all time zones

  • Extended flexible timeline for distance learning delivery

This MLP defines the following:

  1. Implementation procedure to conduct school remotely until resumption of normal operations;

  2. Details the expectations required of teachers, students and parents for the successful continuation of student learning and family communication; and

  3. Plans that address developmentally appropriate and meaningful student learning experiences.

Technology

CMIS believes teachers should use the tools that make them the most comfortable, and should build their online lessons according to which tools make the most sense for them. Therefore, all teachers are directed to use these tools and practice with their students. At the top of the list are a few tools proven to be very successful in the delivery of online content:


  • Help Desk: Email help@cmis.ac.th for any technical issues you are having.

  • Google Classroom: All teachers use Google Classroom to post assignments, provide handouts, and warehouse assignments.

  • Google Meet: This is a video conferencing platform where students and teachers meet to conduct live class sessions.

  • Google Forms: Used to post a bellringer, exit ticket, or even larger project.

  • Seesaw (seesaw.com): A tool that allows teachers to have all students login to access lessons, videos, and assignments.

  • EdPuzzle (edpuzzle.com): Used to post videos, add questions, record student progress.

  • Flipgrid (flipgrid.com): Post questions/assignments, and students reply with up to 5 minute video responses.

  • Quizlet (quizlet.com): Online quiz platform

  • Kahoot (kahoot.com): Online quiz platform

  • Khan Academy (khanacademy.org): Mathematics across all levels, which interact with PSAT results, to help create an ongoing learning environment.

  • Zearn: (zearn.org): Mathematics practice aligned with the Eureka math curriculum.


Students should be willing to work across different delivery platforms. Teachers will practice with students in the classroom, but students should be willing to try different approaches in different environments.


Parent Note: Most apps may ask for a consent for use for students under the age of 13. Please check the “Terms of Use” if you have a concern about the use of these resources.


If students experience technical difficulties, they should contact it@cmis.ac.th and their teacher while school is in session.

Library Check Out Process

If you would like to check out books while the MLP is in process, please follow these steps to request library books.

  1. Go to the library website --> library.cmis.ac.th

  2. Search for books by typing in a title, author, subject or keyword in the search bar at the top of the page.

  3. Follow the instructions here to create a cart of books you want that will be sent to the library. If that is too complicated, you can just do #4.

  4. Email library@cmis.ac.th with a list that includes the title and call number of each book you want. Please make sure to include the name and library number of who the books should be checked out to and only request books whose status is “Available”.

  5. You can collect the books in a clearly labelled plastic bag at the front gate once you have received an email response from the Library that your books are ready.

You can do this as often as you want, but please keep the number of books requested to no more than 7. The checkout period is 4 weeks for parents and secondary students and 3 weeks for elementary students. Please return your previously checked out books when you pick up your new ones.

Online Learning Code of Conduct (Teachers)


Supervision

All online interactions between teachers and students must be continuously observable and can be interrupted at any time. Specifically, teachers are required to conduct lessons that include two or more students at all times. No one-on-one video chat, facetime, or online chat groups with a student are permitted. For classroom security, teachers must keep the classroom (Zoom room/Google Meet) locked until the teacher is present and prepared to begin.


Relationships with Students Outside the Digital Classroom

Relationships with students formed as a result of the school are prohibited outside of the school (i.e. babysitting, tutoring). Online games and applications, used outside of the classroom, are also prohibited.


Staff, employees, and volunteers must not share their personal contact information with students or follow or friend them on social media platforms. Online learning requires teachers to maintain the same professional boundaries with students that they have in the classroom. Demonstrating healthy relationships between students and adults allows students to mirror with other adults and keeps students safer.


All persons associated with CMIS (young people and their families, staff, volunteers, administration and committee members) have the right to be treated with respect and courtesy. Relationships with students should be reinforced with respect for their personal space and their bodies, including online spaces.


Online Contact

All online contact with a student should be appropriate and observable by others; therefore, teachers (including Instructional Assistants, mentors, and tutors) must not send 1-to-1 personal or text messages to students. Feedback on assignments, messaging related to class, etc. should be communicated through a platform that supports a second set of eyes, i.e. Google Classroom, or school monitored email.


Professional Integrity

Staff, employees, and volunteers accept that professional responsibility takes precedence over personal needs and opinions. Professionalism is paramount in serving our families. students are impressionable and oftentimes model the behaviors of others, and professional behaviors must continue in the online environment. Professional Integrity begins before the online class starts.


The following professional online considerations for teachers must include:

  • Wear appropriate professional attire for class and other school-based meetings.

  • Conduct online video class sessions in an appropriate room. Avoid the bedroom and other personal spaces not conducive to teaching. (If using a backdrop, make sure it is appropriate for students). Be aware of items in the room that may be visible in the background … artwork, books, sculptures, etc.

  • Select an area that is free from noise (TV, other people, pets, etc.).

  • Silence all other devices.

  • Avoid eating during class time.

  • Keep your device on MUTE unless you are speaking.

  • Be sure the camera and microphone are working properly before the video classroom begins.

  • Online classrooms require the same level of professional interaction with students as a physical classroom. Avoid being too casual during interactions with students - this will deteriorate the integrity of the teacher-student relationship.

  • Communication to parents and caregivers remains an important component in an online classroom. Find innovative ways of including parents/caregivers (i.e. 5 minute weekly recap involving student and parent) in a daily or weekly communication.


The following behaviors are strictly forbidden in an online classroom:

  • Obscenities, profanity, or vulgar language

  • Harassing or intimidating behaviors

  • Sexually explicit, suggestive, humiliating or degrading comments

  • Viewing of any material inappropriate for a student viewing audience

  • To be under the influence of alcohol or drugs (prescription or illicit)

  • Use of any derogatory language regarding race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, citizenship, socio-economic status or ability

  • Any form of verbal, sexual, or mental abuse or neglect


Online Learning Code of Conduct (Students)

All comments, messages, discussions, video, and audio activity in class are expected to follow these guidelines:

  1. Use appropriate language and proper writing style - This is a professional learning environment, so it is important to treat it as such. Communications in this course should use school-appropriate language and follow grammar and spelling conventions.

  2. Be aware and help others - This is a challenging time when everyone needs support from others. Be aware of your own behavior to keep yourself and others safe online and be helpful and supportive of classmates if they are struggling.

  3. Respect everyone - CMIS classrooms, online or in-person, are always a SAFE ZONE where all aspects of people are respected.

  4. Be calm, constructive, and kind at all times when responding to others.

  5. Listen, wait your turn, and be kind - If participating in any video or audio activity in class, be sure to listen politely and wait your turn before speaking so that everyone is given the opportunity to be heard.


REMEMBER: Please make sure your online behavior reflects the appropriate, respectful, and supportive way you would conduct yourself in our classroom.

Live Video Class Meeting Do's and Don'ts


DO

  • Arrive on time for the class.

  • Make sure to turn and keep your video ON but mute the microphone.

  • Sit in a quiet spot in your house with limited distractions.

  • Keep yourself on MUTE until it is your turn to speak.

  • Be mindful of your camera angles and backgrounds

  • Dress appropriately.

  • Raise your virtual hand to speak.

  • Be kind and respectful at all times.


DON’T

  • Don’t walk around with your device. Make sure to stay in one spot during our class.

  • Don’t interrupt your classmates when they are speaking.

  • Don’t turn on music or television during class.

  • Don’t eat during class time.

  • Don’t forget to smile and be happy to participate in our learning community!


Special Note to Parents:

Live video class meetings are times when the teacher has the opportunity to connect with students to develop our learning community. Feel free to help your child with any technical difficulties. If you have questions, please reach out by email. Thank you!

Social and Emotional Learning

"Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process of developing social and emotional skills in the context of a safe, caring, well-managed, and engaging learning environment" (CASEL, 2010). For more information about CASEL visit https://casel.org/. Social-emotional learning is an integral component of our learning program and has a positive impact on students both academically and socially. CMIS uses the “Second Step” curriculum to support students' social-emotional growth.

Elementary Expectations and Guidelines

Preschool- Grade 1 and Specials classes (PE, Music, Art, Library and Thai) will use Seesaw (seesaw.com) as the primary learning platform for students and Grades 2-5 will use Google Classroom (classroom.google.com).

To access Seesaw you can:

*Please note: Your children will use the "Seesaw Class" app to do their work. As a parent, you will use the "Parent and Family" app to receive messages and updates from teachers.


To access Google Classroom you can:

To log in to Seesaw and Google Classroom:


For more help regarding Seesaw and Google Classroom:

  • Contact help@cmis.ac.th

Visit the Seesaw information page for parents.

Middle and High School Student Guidelines & Expectations


Daily Schedule: Follow the schedule on PowerSchool and the daily rotation in the CMIS planner. Check PowerSchool daily. Log in to your google classroom and click the “Meet link” in the banner of the webpage of the class you are supposed to attend.


Expectations:

  1. Modified learning is synchronous, teachers will be holding classes everyday during the regularly scheduled class times and students are expected to attend. Class Attendance is taken daily or updated if a student misses class they will need to contact the teacher.


  1. Assignments are standards based, developmentally appropriate and easily accessible for all students. Parents are not expected to teach. All assignments or materials will be available for students to access through google classroom.


  1. It is understood that there may be unpredicted challenges for students that cause an assignment to take longer than expected. Please contact the teacher with any time extension needs or accommodations.


  1. Teachers will communicate with students remotely and regularly (with those who they would usually teach that day). Teachers will provide the usual prompt feedback (within 24 hours).


Grading:

CMIS grading policy (found on the course syllabus).


Assessment due dates are expected to be honored. Any assessment that is not completed or turned in to the teacher will receive no lower than a grade percentage of 50% for summative assessments given during the MLP period.


*High School Final Exams:

If CMIS is closed during final exams, students who are receiving a 80% or higher may choose to opt out of taking exams and will be marked exempt in their grades.

How to Attend Classes Online


For MLP Google Meets will be used for video conferencing

  • The link for each class found in your Google Classroom for each class

  • This link will work for every period you attend that class.

  • Every time your class meets, join the class by clicking the “Meets Link”

*Your teacher will invite you to join their class if they have not already. Once they do, select the “Join” button and enter the digital classroom.


Special Note for Parents/Guardians: Please take a moment to walk through the process with your child. Parents/Guardians do not have the same access as students. They can receive a “Summary” from Google Classroom, but will not have full access to the learning material. The only way to gain full access to the Google Classroom materials is through your child's account. You may use their username and password to support the process. Please email it@cmis.ac.th for your tech needs.