July 6, 2020

TUHSD Families:

As mentioned in communication last week, we will be holding a virtual forum on Tuesday, July 14 at 6 PM to answer questions about safely reopening the new school year for everyone. This event will be streamed live on our YouTube channel and we encourage you to join us virtually. Questions can be submitted in advance by using this link.

Our current options for the school year are outlined here. Our current FAQ's are available here, and will be updated on a rolling basis as information becomes available. Our Return to School webpage continues to serve as a clearinghouse for information and updates on the school year, and our Health & Safety page offers updated guidelines and information in regards to safety and parent communications. We hope you'll bookmark these pages and utilize them often.

Please save the date and plan to join us virtually on Tuesday, June 14.

Dr. Kevin J. Mendivil
Superintendent

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June 30, 2020

TUHSD Families:

In light of Governor’s Ducey announcement and subsequent Executive Order yesterday, we want to reassure you that we continue to assess and plan for a safe, productive 20/21 school year for our students, teachers and staff.

There are still many unknowns about how the Governor’s order will affect the details of our current planning efforts. One thing that we know for certain is that in-person instruction will be delayed until at least August 17, 2020.

As a reminder, right now, TUHSD is offering two choices:

1. In-Person Model
1. Five days a week, in-person
2. No need to pre-register or take any additional steps at this time
2. Online Model
1. Full-time online instruction
2. Pre-register here no later than Monday, July 13

Planning is still ongoing for the virtual Town Hall for parents. Additional information will be released as soon as it becomes available. We are also in the process of updating and supplementing our Return to School webpage and FAQ’s to accurately reflect the questions we have been receiving.

Dr. Kevin J. Mendivil
Superintendent

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June 29, 2020

TUHSD Families:

We have been gathering communication from many of you around the reopening of our schools. The diversity of thoughts and concerns expressed by you, not surprisingly, also reflects the diversity we celebrate in our district. Information has been changing daily if not hourly. 

 

Last Wednesday, Governor Ducey released criteria for districts to follow in order to ensure budget stability as we reopen school this fall. We will continue to acknowledge the Governor’s newest guidelines and will make a shift in our planning and program offerings. 

In response to this new information, we are planning for three options:

• five days a week of in-person instruction (In-Person Model)

• exclusive full-time online option (Tempe Union Online)

• a third option, the Virtual Learning Model, will be made available should schools be ordered to close again

We understand that many of our families will not feel comfortable with a full-time in-person option, and will opt for online learning.  If you are interested in full-time online learning, we ask that you fill out a pre-registration form for Tempe Union Online by Monday, July 13 so that we can assess staffing needs.

 

Throughout the planning process, we have read your emails and listened to your concerns. The reopening proposal presented 12 days ago was based on information that is now unusable. Information regarding the status of COVID-19 in our state changes every day, and in many instances by the hour. The need to be flexible during these times is evident now more than ever.
 

Specifically the criteria that Governor Ducey released for funding eligibility stated: [Schools] must provide education in-person the same number of days per week that they did last school year.  For schools that wish to offer a hybrid model with kids learning in the classroom on some days, and from home on other days, they can still meet the eligibility criteria as long as they offer free onsite learning for students who need a place to go during the day. This option will need to be available for the same number of days per week and open during the same hours offered during the prior school year before the COVID-19 closure took effect.

If at any point during the school year our state officials mandate we close schools again due to COVID-19, students enrolled in the in-person model will shift and receive their instruction virtually through our originally proposed Blended Learning Model (now re-titled Virtual Learning Model). We will continue to revise this plan should our students who attend school daily have to change and receive their instruction virtually for a period of time. TUHSD’s In-Person model allows for flexibility and prepares our teachers and students to shift into a Virtual Learning Model for a temporary period of time should a campus outbreak occur or should our state officials close schools.

Our Return to School landing page was created before this latest announcement, and will be updated accordingly with the information above in the coming week.

We are prepared for a variety of scenarios, but we need your help. 

 

We will be assembling an expert panel to answer your questions on how to keep our students safe with an in-person learning option. The discussion will be conducted in a virtual town hall format. The information we gather will continue to guide the decisions around optimal learning conditions for students. In the coming days, additional information on the town hall will be provided and a link will be available for you to submit your questions.

 

Please know that at every point these past months in planning, district and site leadership have put the health and safety of your child first and foremost. Information and conditions surrounding this unprecedented pandemic have been changing rapidly and will continue to change. We will continue to keep you informed as we release additional information for the fall.

 

Thank you, 

Kevin J. Mendivil

Superintendent

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June 22, 2020

Tempe Union Families,

Last Wednesday during a study session with the Governing Board, Tempe Union unveiled the first draft of a proposal to reopen our seven high schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

Parent and teacher feedback was essential to this planning process. We surveyed our families and accepted survey input through Tuesday evening (June 16) to ensure that as much feedback as possible could be included with Wednesday’s presentation. The survey was emailed out on Tuesday, June 9 and also posted on our social media accounts. It was left open for responses for seven days with a total of 6,251 parents responding.

It is important to note that the survey was concluded prior to Governor Ducey's announcement on Wednesday afternoon (June 17) of the increased number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona, which continue to rise. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor has encouraged us to make data-informed decisions. In constructing this proposal, we have carefully considered and adhered to guidelines from CDC, the Governor's Office and the Arizona Department of Health Services. The proposal is based on current best practices in combating the spread of COVID-19 which heavily focuses on social distancing (six feet rule), eliminating large gatherings of people, washing of hands, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures and the ability to quickly contact trace. The CDC has provided specific guidelines for reopening of schools which can be found here.

We all want our students back in a normal, healthy learning environment.  These are not normal times. This is also not permanent. For now, we have to respond with what we know is going to be the best way to keep everyone involved with the education of our students safe and healthy.  We understand that the 4th quarter online learning experience was less than ideal - all districts struggled with this for a variety of reasons. We have heard from you and this is an area where we feel we can make the biggest improvements to ensure our teachers and staff are prepared for more accountability with student learning outcomes and participation.

Our Teaching and Learning Department is working with content department teacher leaders and other certified staff to provide ways in which teachers will conduct virtual live experiences with their students on a daily basis. There will be clear student expectations for them to follow during this time and also clear expectations that will allow you to support greater student and teacher accountability.

Later this week, we will be releasing additional information and a dedicated webpage for the fall reopening. This will include FAQ’s for teachers/students/families and will serve as a clearinghouse for any new or changing information on plans for the upcoming year.

We appreciate all of the feedback we’ve received from our families and wider TUHSD community. This is a difficult time for everyone, and we are committed to doing the best we can to engage and educate our students, while also allowing for the appropriate safety measures. As our current situation changes day-to-day, we will continue to refine this proposal to ensure that it takes into consideration the continued feedback of our families, teachers and staff and with the health and safety of everyone.

Kevin J. Mendivil

Superintendent

June 18, 2020

TUHSD Class of 2020 Students & Parents:

In April, we announced that planning was underway to look at the possibility of a modified, socially distant, in-person graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 18.

After much discussion and feedback from our community and public health officials, we have determined that it is not safe or advisable to move forward with any in-person graduation ceremonies. Throughout the events of this spring, we have grounded our decisions in the data that was available to us at the time of each decision. As of today, the data does not support the idea of any kind of graduation gathering.

Yesterday, Governor Doug Ducey held a briefing where he advised that stricter measures would be enacted across the state in an attempt to mitigate a continued rise in positive COVID cases. Arizona, and Maricopa County in particular, are now considered national “hotspots” for new virus cases. Our top priority is keeping our students and their families safe, and unfortunately, the current situation makes it impossible to hold a safe, large gathering.

Additionally, Arizona remains in Phase 1 of reopening, which limits gatherings to less than 10 people. We are not able to secure a venue large enough to provide the social distancing that would be necessary for gatherings of this size. Venues that were contacted, such as ASU’s Desert Financial Arena, are not available for rental due to the current state-wide restrictions.

Although our current circumstances necessitate the cancellation of an in-person graduation, we want to continue to honor the strength and resilience of the Class of 2020. This has been a historical, unprecedented time and we know that our seniors will make their mark on the world in an equally historical and unprecedented way.

Kevin J. Mendivil

Superintendent

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June 2, 2020

Dear TUHSD Parents & Families,

The 2019-20 school year is now officially behind us, and I hope that you are able to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation over the next few months. I’m proud to share that our virtual graduations and senior send-off events were a great success, and under the unusual circumstances, they served as joyful celebrations and highlighted the tremendous accomplishments of our Class of 2020.

Planning for the future has been ongoing since the beginning of our school closure back in March. There are many unknowns, but we are considering a variety of priority options that would ensure the safety of those on campus, while also maintaining the educational experience. Some of our priorities include:

• Health, safety and well-being of everyone involved with the educational experience of our students
• Designated in-person time for students with their teachers
• Maintaining the student’s schedule with little to no disruptions
• Reintroduce a sense of normalcy for student and teacher
• Maximizing student learning opportunities

Yesterday, the Arizona Department of Education released its roadmap on reopening schools in the fall. These guidelines will further clarify and assist us in planning and I anticipate that we will be able to release more detailed information to you on our TUHSD-specific plans later this month.

I want you to know that as we plan for different options for the school year, the safety of our students, teachers and staff, and ultimately, our TUHSD families, is our top priority. We place great value on the student-teacher interaction and its positive influence on the learning process. We are also prioritizing the comprehensive high school experience we all want to offer our students once again.  

Next week, a survey will be sent to all TUHSD parents asking for your feedback around reopening in the fall. We will ask you to consider a variety of options and provide your input. Please keep an eye out for this email and be sure to respond. It is vital that our wider TUHSD community has a voice during this planning process.

Be safe and be well,

Kevin J. Mendivil

Superintendent

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May 5, 2020

Dear TUHSD Students, Parents & Families:

Planning has been underway for fun and creative ways to celebrate and commemorate the end of this very unusual school year. Additional information around virtual graduation ceremonies and end of year check-out procedures is below. 

SENIORS

Special activities are being scheduled to celebrate the Class of 2020 graduation, including but not limited to, drive-in watch parties for graduation, celebration parades, and pick up opportunities for diplomas and yearbooks. Specific information will be forthcoming from your individual school, so please be on the lookout.

In general, we will ask the following of you during these activities:

• CDC, federal and state safety and social distancing guidelines will be in effect at all times.
• For drive-in activities, we recommend ONE senior per vehicle, along with any family members who wish to attend.
• Due to space constrictions in school parking lots, ONE vehicle per graduate will be allowed in the parking lot during activities.
• Due to the seriousness of the current situation, anyone who is out of their vehicle during activities will be asked to leave immediately.
• An RSVP system will be released by your school site. If you plan to attend activities, please take the time to RSVP so that we can anticipate attendance and plan accordingly.
• School activities will be supported by our SRO’s and local law enforcement.

ALL STUDENTS - END OF YEAR CHECK-OUT

Additional information will also be forthcoming from your school site around end of year check-out. Each school will have a safe, efficient process in place for students to return athletic gear, books (textbooks, library books), and pick up personal items from lockers, as needed. Specific instructions will be sent by your school’s principal or administration team - please read carefully and follow them closely.

All plans have been put into place to ensure that everyone participating is safe and following safety guidelines, while also making sure that the process is efficient and timely for all waiting. Again, information for your pickup timeframe and other details will be forthcoming from your school site.

In general, the following will apply to end of year check-out:

• Check-out will start with seniors.
• All faculty/staff will be wearing masks (and gloves, if handling items).
• We encourage you to bring masks for your pick-up. Masks will NOT be provided.
• All areas visited by students during pick-up will be sanitized on a daily basis as an additional safety measure.
• Pick-up will be timed in small groups to ensure ease of social distancing and to keep people from waiting in the heat.
• Fees will NOT be collected during pick-up. We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has been an extra hardship for many of our families, and we do not want to cause additional stress or worry. If you do have outstanding fees to pay, the online portal will be open for payments.

We appreciate your patience and feedback as we have navigated this process to find the safest options for our students during this challenging time. Whether it be commemorating our accomplished Class of 2020, or ensuring that students can pick up their personal belongings, our administration and schools always strive to put our students first.

Kevin J. Mendivil
Superintendent

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April 28, 2020

Dear Parents,

Summer Education Academy (SEA) Update

The spread of COVID-19 has necessitated changes in the way we teach, but it does not change our desire to continue learning or the importance of doing so. We know as precautions are taken to ensure the safety of our communities, we must be proactive to keep learning on track for everyone at every level. As a result, the format of SEA has changed from face-to-face to online. 

• Registration for Online Summer Education Academy will open on Wednesday, April 29th.  
• All registration will be online, including payment.  Please check the district website for available courses, and registration procedures/forms. (Teaching & Learning / Summer Education Academy)
• Students will be able to begin classes Monday, May 4th. 
• The deadline for registration is Thursday, May 21st. 
• Students may only register for one course at a time, but may add a second course if/when their first course is completed, assuming this is within the registration timeline.
• All courses must be completed by June 26th (including the final exam which will be taken online and virtually proctored).

Should you have any questions, please contact Jermaine Whitaker at 480-839-4222.

Kim Hilgers

Assistant Superintendent Teaching & Learning

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April 22, 2020

Dear TUHSD Class of 2020 and Parents:

During the past six weeks, we have spoken with and heard from hundreds of students, parents and others in our community on the topic of graduation. Understandably, from those individuals who shared options to consider, an in-person event was preferred by the majority. We are very mindful of honoring and protecting the experience of our seniors, while also balancing the safety needs that are required of all of us during this unprecedented time.

After much discussion and consideration, we have decided on a dual approach to 2020 graduation. First, we will hold virtual ceremonies on the original graduation dates of Wednesday, May 20 for Compadre Academy and Thursday, May 21 for all six comprehensive schools as we would for any typical school year.  Second, planning is underway for modified, in-person ceremonies to be held on Saturday, July 18.

Our reasoning for two ceremonies is that there are students who will be unable to participate in a postponed ceremony in July, due to commitments to work, military, or other obligations that may start earlier in the summer. The July 18 date was suggested by students to accommodate the work schedules of parents and families, which I found to be very thoughtful.  A virtual ceremony on the original planned date in May will be comprehensive and inclusive of all, regardless of what comes next for students. It will also provide a sense of closure to the four years of hard work that our seniors have achieved.

We understand that a modified in-person ceremony is the experience that many seniors are looking forward to, and we want to be able to provide that, as long as safety guidelines allow. While we are aware that we live in Arizona and what that may mean for weather in July, planning is underway for a safe modified in-person ceremony that would take into account the social distancing and other safety measures that the CDC, and State of Arizona and Maricopa County public health agencies have put into place during this time. We will be looking to Governor Ducey’s next announcement - anticipated for April 30 - to guide our planning. In the meantime, we will be working creatively to make this event about our students and still ensure a safe, comfortable experience for families.

Additional information on both the virtual and modified in-person ceremonies will be released as it becomes available in the coming weeks. This decision became less difficult to make when we centered our thinking around our seniors. Under these extreme circumstances, we know we will not be able to satisfy everyone, but please understand that our efforts are to make this hallmark event special for your senior. In the meantime, we want our TUHSD families to be aware that we intend to fully celebrate the Class of 2020, and we ask that you save the dates above to celebrate our seniors.

Dr. Kevin J. Mendivil

Superintendent

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April 13, 2020

Dear TUHSD Class of 2020 and Parents,

We know that many of you have questions around graduation and recognition for our wonderful Class of 2020 seniors. While there are still many unknowns that will affect our planning, we are working with student representatives from each of our campuses to develop a plan for graduation in place. We continue to evaluate different possibilities that would allow us to celebrate our seniors and their accomplishments while also keeping our students and families safe. This could take shape in a variety of ways, and we have had many creative ideas proposed. As soon as we have additional information to share, we will update you.

In the meantime, there are many ways that we are recognizing our seniors. Currently, all high school stadiums have their lights turned on for twenty minutes each evening, beginning at 8:20 PM (20:20 in military time) to honor our Class of 2020. We are also creating yard signs for every one of our seniors. Signs will be ready in the next few weeks and are a way for our students to be recognized within their individual communities. More information about yard signs and delivery/pick-up will be made available by your school site - please watch for additional communication from your principal or administration team.

Many of you have reached out with questions on yearbooks. All yearbook orders are still being placed, but production timelines have been affected by COVID-19. Yearbook delivery timeframes will vary from school to school, but please rest assured that orders are being placed. Again, please watch for communication from your principal or administration team for specific information.

Cap and gown orders and other graduation accessories are also being fulfilled through Jostens, with final timeline and pick-up information varying by school. You will be contacted by your school site with additional information once dates for pick-up are identified.

Although our current circumstances necessitate these extreme measures, and this spring is looking very different than how we anticipated, we look forward to recognizing our senior Class of 2020 in a myriad of ways. We know that our TUHSD community will stay strong and positive as we navigate these unprecedented times together.

Be well and be safe.

Dr. Kevin J. Mendivil, Superintendent | TUHSD

Dora Samson, Principal | Compadre Academy

Nate Kleve, Principal | Corona del Sol High School

Mike Deignan, Principal | Desert Vista High School

Sarah Tolar, Principal | Marcos de Niza High School

Mayra Arroyo, Principal | McClintock High School

Tomika Banks, Principal | Mountain Pointe High School

Kate Glenn & Art Lebowitz, Co-Principals | Tempe High School

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April 9, 2020

Parents,

Districts across Arizona, and across the nation, have struggled with determining how to assign grades during this unprecedented time. We have thoughtfully looked at a variety of options that would be easiest for teachers to implement and align to current grading practices, while not penalizing students because of these unforeseen circumstances. We are sharing information regarding Tempe Union’s grading during school closure.

Any student enrolled in courses during the 3rd quarter shall not be penalized for the school closure. Students who do not have the opportunity to engage in their instruction by making up work or completing assignments shall be given the grade posted in 3rd quarter.

Any make-up work submitted for the 3rd quarter will be recorded in the 3rd quarter in Synergy. Teachers have the discretion to determine which work students are allowed to make-up.   

Students’ 4th quarter and semester grades will be the students’ 3rd quarter posted grade. Students may earn weekly improvement points by completing the lessons and assessments assigned in Schoology. The rubric for earning points is as follows:

Weekly Improvement Points

• 0 - The student did not engage in distance learning, no assessment submitted. 
• 1 - The student approached the requirements for the assessment. Student shows a minimal level of understanding of the essential standards measured on the weekly assessment.
• 2 - The student met the requirements for the assessment. Student shows C or higher level of understanding of the essential standards measured on the weekly assessment.

Tempe Union Online Classes

More information will be sent out in future communications about current Tempe Union Online courses.

Virtual College Exploration Week April 20-23

Juniors can register now and choose from 96 sessions from over 300 Arizona, national, and international colleges and universities. Sessions will provide tips from admissions officers and other information to assist with the college exploration and application process. Register here: https://www.strivescan.com/ virtual/

Important to Monitor Child’s Engagement

Finally, please monitor your child’s engagement in-class activities so that they don’t disengage from learning.  It is important for their success that students continue to engage and complete all assignments to support their learning for the next school year. Thank you for your continued support as we transition to this next phase of learning. 

Kim Hilgers
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning

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April 7, 2020

TUHSD Parents & Families:

Schoology is the online learning management system that all Tempe Union teachers are currently using to deliver a variety of classroom lessons, assignments, homework and other teaching activities. All students already have a Schoology account, and parents have the ability to create a Schoology account to view classroom content.

To create your Parent Schoology Account, please use this *code: Note that you will not see a code on this webpage. Each parent will receive a unique code based on their ParentVue account. Please check the email that was sent directly to your email on file. Thank you.

LOG-IN INSTRUCTIONS
1. Go to www.schoology.com
2. Click “Sign up” and choose “Parent.”
3. Enter the code provided above and follow the prompts. The code will connect you to your student’s classes and teachers. If you do not see a code in the field above, please contact SchoologyParentHelp@tuhsd.k12.az.us to receive your code.
4. Helpful Hint: Your student may be able to help you set up your account. Successful students have engaged and informed parents!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Instructions on how to create an account
For additional information on Schoology or creating an account, please visit www.tempeunion.org/schoologyforparents.

During this unprecedented time of school closures, teachers will utilize Schoology in a variety of ways. Parents will see different types of content for each class. For questions about content in a particular class, please contact that teacher. Once you have created an account, you may also download the Schoology App on your mobile device.

Thank you,
TUHSD Parent Communications

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April 6, 2020

Dear TUHSD Parents, Families and Students:

After careful consideration, and in response to the statewide closure of schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, it is with regret that we announce that the Spring 2020 Prom events scheduled at all of our TUHSD schools have been cancelled.

We recognize how special this annual tradition is, especially to our senior class, so please know that this decision does not come lightly. Our top priority is to ensure the safety and health of our students and staff. At this time, there is not a successful way to carry on with these events and keep our students and teachers safe. We are not taking into consideration the possibility of a rescheduled prom over the summer break.

If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to the Assistant Principal of Activities at your respective school site.

In addition to Prom, we know that many of you have questions around graduation. We continue to evaluate different possibilities that would allow us to celebrate our seniors and their accomplishments while also keeping our students and families safe. As soon as we have additional information to share, we will update you.

We are sorry that the current circumstances necessitate these extreme measures, but we know that our TUHSD community will stay strong and positive as we navigate these unprecedented times together.

Be well and be safe.

Dr. Kevin J. Mendivil, Superintendent | TUHSD

Dora Samson, Principal | Compadre Academy

Nate Kleve, Principal | Corona del Sol High School

Mike Deignan, Principal | Desert Vista High School

Sarah Tolar, Principal | Marcos de Niza High School

Mayra Arroyo, Principal | McClintock High School

Tomika Banks, Principal | Mountain Pointe High School

Kate Glenn & Art Lebowitz, Co-Principals | Tempe High School

March 31, 2020

TUHSD Parents & Families,

As we continue to focus on the academic needs of our students, staff, and community there are the social/emotional needs that are equally as important to monitor. The anxiety during the time of a pandemic is triggered by the unknown. With the uncertainty, many students are feeling the losses each day--contact with friends, athletics/activities that they enjoyed, and the other typical routine events that were very much a part of our daily life. 

As we think about the academic needs of our students, let’s also consider the social/emotional needs of our children. They need time to understand what is happening, and to cope with the things that are changing: their stability has been disrupted.

As a mother and educator, I understand the pressure we are all under.  All of you are doing your very best to help support Tempe Union in our desire to continue the teaching/learning process.  Just as we feel pressure to know how to homeschool in a very short period of time, we also know that you are doing everything you can to keep your families safe.

How can we help each other?  As we focus on student learning and helping families adjust to the new normal, you can focus on their social/emotional well-being. Together we can get through these trying times and become stronger and more connected than ever before.  

Closure of Schools

Governor Ducey announced yesterday the decision to close all schools for the remainder of this school year.  We are disappointed by the news, but will do our best to serve our students in an online environment. I understand that students and parents have questions or concerns around grading, final exams, and finishing the school year strong.  We will communicate what we know at the present time. We may not have an answer for you right away, but know that we will communicate again as soon as we do.

Focus on Learning

We will be entering Phase 2 of our Distance Learning Plan from March 30-May 20. Teachers will be communicating to your child the learning, practice, and how feedback will be given.  All Tempe Union High School teachers will have new essential online learning opportunities posted to their Schoology courses. Teachers will post updates, announcements and assignments in Schoology regularly. Students are asked to check their Schoology and TUHSD Gmail accounts on a daily basis. We will provide more information regarding how teachers will report student progress, how grades will be determined, and  graduation in the near future. As you have in the past, please continue to monitor your child’s engagement during the closure of schools. Reach out if your child needs additional support during this time at home. We have resources for families, students, and parents. You can find these resources, as well as updated information on the following links:

Frequently Asked Questions page

Student and Parent Online Access FAQ

Social & Emotional Wellness/COVID-19 Resources

Social & Emotional Wellness
 

Schoology Update

We are aware that there have been some intermittent issues with Schoology’s platform.  They are aware of it and are working on it. We will continue to monitor this. 

Request for Print Materials

If your student has been unable to log onto Schoology to take advantage of the resources being posted online, we will assume that they need paper copies of materials. Materials are being assembled and will be mailed to your home address. Alternative arrangements can also be made for pick-up. Our focus will be on the 4 core areas:  English, Math, Social Studies and Science. Students will not receive feedback on their practice.

Virtual Discussions/Meetings

Teachers will be using Google Hangouts Meet, WebX, and Zoom video conferencing tools to interact, connect, and present information. This is an example of the “new norm”.   Students and teachers continue to familiarize themselves with online learning. 

To help guide our students, we have created Student Expectations for Working Online in Tempe Union. This guide outlines our expectations for students as they conduct themselves in online learning opportunities. In addition, we have this Student and Parent Online Access FAQ to address specific questions related to online access.

Dual Enrollment Clarification 

Rio Salado College has communicated to the Tempe Union High School District that students will need to keep up with the online work that will be provided by their Dual Enrollment teacher(s). Rio Salado will work with TUHSD teachers to ensure that students who successfully complete the dual enrollment coursework will earn their college credit.

AP Coursework

The College Board is committed to providing support, flexibility, and solutions during this crisis.  Overwhelmingly, students want to take their AP Exams. In response, College Board is providing online learning and AP Exams available for all students. Teachers have also created live classes on YouTube for student use. More information will be coming on April 3rd from the College Board on the structure of AP tests.  

Tempe Union Online Classes

Tempe Union Online classes (which include TOUL, Evening School, Compadre Online, and Online Summer School classes) are continuing as normal, with the exception of final exams.  Information on how students will be able to complete final exams (at home) will be shared with students and parents in the next few weeks. All students, regardless of when they began the course will have until June 19, 2020 to complete all courses activities.

Kim Hilgers

Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning

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31 de marzo de 2020

Padres y familias de TUHSD,
 
A medida que continuamos enfocándonos en las necesidades académicas de nuestros estudiantes, el personal y la comunidad, hay necesidades sociales / emocionales que son igualmente importantes de monitorear. La ansiedad durante el tiempo de una pandemia es provocada por lo desconocido. Con la incertidumbre, muchos estudiantes sienten las pérdidas cada día: contacto con amigos, deportes / actividades que disfrutaron y los otros eventos de rutina típicos que formaron parte de nuestra vida diaria.
 
Mientras pensamos en las necesidades académicas de nuestros estudiantes, consideremos también las necesidades sociales / emocionales de nuestros hijos. Necesitan tiempo para comprender lo que está sucediendo y hacer frente a las cosas que están cambiando: su estabilidad ha sido interrumpida.
 
Como madre y educadora, entiendo la presión a la que todos estamos sometidos. Todos ustedes están haciendo su mejor esfuerzo para ayudar a apoyar a Tempe Union en nuestro deseo de continuar el proceso de enseñanza / aprendizaje. Así como sentimos presión por saber cómo educar en el hogar en un período de tiempo muy corto, también sabemos que está haciendo todo lo posible para mantener a sus familias seguras.
 
¿Cómo podemos ayudarnos unos a otros? A medida que nos enfocamos en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes y ayudamos a las familias a adaptarse a la nueva normalidad, puede enfocarse en su bienestar social / emocional. Juntos podemos superar estos tiempos difíciles y volvernos más fuertes y más conectados que nunca.
 
Cierre de escuelas
El gobernador Ducey anunció ayer la decisión de cerrar todas las escuelas por el resto de este año escolar. Estamos decepcionados por las noticias, pero haremos nuestro mejor esfuerzo para servir a nuestros estudiantes en un entorno en línea. Entiendo que los estudiantes y los padres tienen preguntas o inquietudes sobre la calificación, los exámenes finales y terminar el año escolar con fuerza. Comunicaremos lo que sabemos en la actualidad. Es posible que no tengamos una respuesta para usted de inmediato, pero sepa que nos comunicaremos nuevamente tan pronto como lo hagamos.

Centrarse en el aprendizaje
Entraremos en la Fase 2 de nuestro Plan de aprendizaje a distancia del 30 de marzo al 20 de mayo. Los maestros le comunicarán a su hijo el aprendizaje, la práctica y cómo se le dará retroalimentación. Todos los maestros de Tempe Union High School tendrán nuevas oportunidades esenciales de aprendizaje en línea publicadas en sus cursos de Schoology. Los maestros publicarán actualizaciones, anuncios y tareas en Schoology regularmente. Se les pide a los estudiantes que revisen sus cuentas de Gmail de Schoology y TUHSD diariamente. Proporcionaremos más información sobre cómo los maestros informarán el progreso de los estudiantes, cómo se determinarán las calificaciones y la graduación en el futuro cercano. Como lo ha hecho en el pasado, continúe monitoreando la participación de su hijo durante el cierre de las escuelas. Comuníquese si su hijo necesita apoyo adicional durante este tiempo en casa. Tenemos recursos para familias, estudiantes y padres. Puede encontrar estos recursos, así como información actualizada en los siguientes enlaces:

Página de preguntas frecuentes: Frequently Asked Questions page
Preguntas frecuentes sobre el acceso en línea para estudiantes y padres: Student and Parent Online Access FAQ
Bienestar social y emocional / Recursos COVID-19: Social & Emotional Wellness/COVID-19 Resources
Bienestar social y emocional: Social & Emotional Wellness

Actualización de Schoology
Somos conscientes de que ha habido algunos problemas intermitentes con la plataforma de Schoology. Son conscientes de ello y están trabajando en ello. Continuaremos monitoreando esto.
 
Solicitud de materiales impresos
Si su estudiante no ha podido iniciar sesión en Schoology para aprovechar los recursos que se publican en línea, asumiremos que necesitan copias en papel de los materiales. Los materiales se están ensamblando y se enviarán por correo a su domicilio. También se pueden hacer arreglos alternativos para la recogida. Nuestro enfoque estará en las 4 áreas principales: inglés, matemáticas, estudios sociales y ciencias. Los estudiantes no recibirán comentarios sobre su práctica.
 
Debates / reuniones virtuales
Los maestros utilizarán las herramientas de videoconferencia Google Hangouts Meet, WebX y Zoom para interactuar, conectarse y presentar información. Este es un ejemplo de la "nueva norma". Los estudiantes y los maestros continúan familiarizándose con el aprendizaje en línea.
 
Para ayudar a guiar a nuestros estudiantes, hemos creado Expectativas de los estudiantes para trabajar en línea en Tempe Union. Esta guía describe nuestras expectativas para los estudiantes a medida que se comportan en oportunidades de aprendizaje en línea. Además, tenemos estas Preguntas frecuentes sobre acceso en línea para estudiantes y padres para abordar preguntas específicas relacionadas con el acceso en línea.
 
Aclaración de doble inscripción
Rio Salado College se comunicó al Distrito de Escuelas Secundarias de Tempe Union que los estudiantes necesitarán mantenerse al día con el trabajo en línea que proporcionará su (s) maestro (s) de Matrícula Dual. Rio Salado trabajará con los maestros de TUHSD para garantizar que los estudiantes que completen con éxito los cursos de doble inscripción obtengan su crédito universitario.

Curso de AP
El College Board se compromete a brindar apoyo, flexibilidad y soluciones durante esta crisis. Abrumadoramente, los estudiantes quieren tomar sus exámenes AP. En respuesta, College Board ofrece aprendizaje en línea y exámenes AP disponibles para todos los estudiantes. Los maestros también han creado clases en vivo en YouTube para uso de los estudiantes. El 3 de abril llegará más información del College Board sobre la estructura de las pruebas AP.
 
Clases en línea de Tempe Union
Las clases en línea de Tempe Union (que incluyen las clases TOUL, Evening School, Compadre Online y Online Summer School) continúan normalmente, con la excepción de los exámenes finales. La información sobre cómo los estudiantes podrán completar los exámenes finales (en casa) se compartirá con los estudiantes y los padres en las próximas semanas. Todos los estudiantes, independientemente de cuándo comenzaron el curso, tendrán hasta el 19 de junio de 2020 para completar todas las actividades del curso.
 
Kim Hilgers
Superintendente Asistente de Enseñanza y Aprendizaje

March 30, 2020

Dear TUHSD Parents & Families,

Earlier this morning, Governor Ducey and Superintendent Kathy Hoffman announced that schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year. Click here for the statement from the Governor’s office.

We know this announcement is disheartening at best for everyone and it will bring up a multitude of questions for our families and students. As we continue to plan and coordinate with our district administration and state officials, we thank you for your continued patience. Your child’s safety and health is our top priority, and we want you to rest assured that we will continue to work hard to minimize the impact related to their education.

This announcement also allows us to plan with focus and intention for your child’s learning experience and while exclusive online learning isn’t necessarily the best learning for all students, we are going to make the best of it for TUHSD students. Here’s what we do know: the remainder of the school year will look different for our students but our teachers and school administration have been working hard to ensure that students have the resources they need, and access to online learning opportunities. We understand the Schoology platform was inconsistent at times today and our understanding is that it will be fully up and running by tomorrow. Updates on Teaching & Learning will be sent to parents tomorrow. Please continue to encourage your students to check their Gmail account and Schoology account daily - and we also recommend turning on notifications so they can stay in touch with their teachers during closure.

Many of you have reached out to ask questions about your seniors, and our plans for graduation. We are extremely mindful of the impact of this closure on our seniors, and we are exploring multiple ways that we can creatively and virtually celebrate the Class of 2020 and their achievements. Each school’s administrative team will be involving the ideas of our seniors to make this a meaningful and celebrated experience for them and for you. As the ideas begin to formalize, more information will be made available soon.

RESOURCES

Many of our families have utilized our meal pick-up service - available to anyone 18 & younger, regardless of if they are a current TUHSD student. Lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following day continues to be available from 11 AM to 1 PM at four locations: Mountain Pointe High School, Marcos de Niza High School, McClintock High School, and Tempe High School.

COMMUNICATION

Communications are being sent regularly by our principals, counselors, teachers, and others. Please take a moment to ensure that you are receiving emails - if not, please email parentinfo@tempeunion.org with your updated information. Communication is also being posted regularly on our social media channels, and online. Here are a few pages to bookmark and check regularly:

• TUHSD COVID-19 update page: https://www.tempeunion.org/health-safety

• FAQ’s for students, parents, and employees: https://www.tempeunion.org/Page/4242

• TUHSD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TempeUnion/

• Resources for social/emotional wellness: https://www.tempeunion.org/COVID-19-Social-Emotional-Wellness

We thank all of our TUHSD parents, families, students and teachers as we all work together to navigate this unique set of circumstances that we find ourselves living through. Most of us have never experienced this level of disruption and uncertainty in our lifetime and it is important now more than ever, that we come together as a TUHSD family and rely on one another. Please be safe and be well.

Dr. Kevin J. Mendivil
Superintendent

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