Superintendent's Message: September 4, 2020
Dear JP Schools Family,
We have much to celebrate as we close out our first week of instruction. Students and employees are following our new health and safety protocols. Students, teachers, and parents are adjusting to virtual and hybrid instruction. I am humbled by the efforts of our educators and the countless hours they put into ensuring we opened schools safely and successfully. This has been a historic week for Jefferson Parish Schools, and it shows the strength and determination of our educators to come together and do what is best for our children. Let’s take time to celebrate these accomplishments!
Our school system has been propelled into a new digital era, and the advancements we have made will serve our students well into the future. Our teachers have been doing an incredible job adapting to teaching in-classroom and virtually simultaneously. Additionally, it has been a delight to see our students’ smiling faces as they connect remotely with their teachers and peers. Families, thank you for your patience as you continue to adjust to this new way of teaching and learning. We could not have done this without your input, cooperation, and understanding.
This is a time of learning for all of us. With almost half of our students tuning in online for instruction, we have put together several helpful resources to aid with the transition to virtual learning.
- Family Resource Center for Online Learning: As we move into this new era of online learning, we created a Family Resource Center for Online Learning. Families can find helpful videos, Google Classroom and Google Meet information, helpdesk support, policies, and etiquette. We will update this Resource Center on an ongoing basis to continue to support our families and students with online learning.
- Student and Parent Technology Helpdesk: To address the varying technology needs of our families, families can reach out to our Parent and Student Helpdesk Support at 504-365-5304. The Helpdesk is available Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Helpdesk can support with passwords, login issues, Google Classroom access, and support with device related issues including microphones, cameras, keyboards and hotspots. For Google Classroom codes, specific Google Meet links, and schedule related issues, families should contact their school directly. School phone numbers can be found at jpschools.org/schools.
We would also like to update you on academic calendar changes and Advanced Studies Academies applications.
- Academic Calendar: Due to Tropical Storm Marco and Hurricane Laura and the need to postpone the first day of school for students, we are working to update the academic calendar. The calendar will maximize instructional minutes and honor contractual days. We will open a calendar survey to our stakeholders Wednesday, September 9 through Sunday, September 13. Based on your feedback, we will announce the calendar on Monday, September 14.
- Advanced Studies Academies Applications for the 2021-2022 School Year: The Advanced Studies Academies (ASA) online application period will occur September 28-October 16. Families needing assistance with completing the application will be supported with a one-on-one session. Appointments for sessions are available on October 3 and 10.
As we end our first week of school, I am proud of the way our JP Schools Family has come together. It has been a tremendous feeling to see our students continue to learn and grow. It has been a pleasure to witness our incredibly talented educators resume teaching and finding new ways to engage and connect with their students. We have laid the foundation for a Strong Start to the year. With your support, we will continue to grow stronger and better as a school community to set our students up for the future they deserve.
Regards,
Dr. James Gray