Distance Learning Model
As the school closure enacted by Governor Bullock continues to be extended, Polson School District remains committed to providing a quality educational experience to all of our families during this unprecedented situation. Our principals, teachers, and paraprofessionals have partnered with the technology department over the last 3 weeks to find a long term distance learning solution that fits our community. Starting Monday, April 13th, all schools will begin the transition to a new distance learning model.
The district’s preferred method of delivering instruction will be to connect students and their parents to teachers over the internet using Google Classroom. Google Classroom is a streamlined, easy-to-use tool that helps teachers, students, and parents manage classwork. With Google Classroom, educators can create classes, distribute assignments, send feedback, and see everything in one place.
Our teachers and office staff have spent the last 3 weeks connecting with families to provide them with the resources they need to transition to this new model. However, we do know that this new model won’t work for everyone. If you are unable to get connected, contact your school office or teacher and we will provide your student with offline instruction that mirrors the digital content.
Please follow the steps below to get connected to Google Classroom and begin this journey digital learning to digital learning with us.
Steps to Get Home Computer Ready for Distance Learning
Getting Internet at Your House
Click Here for a comprehensive list containing all of the options in our area for getting access to the internet at home.
Parking Lot Internet Access
If you don't have home internet access, Polson School District has internet access available at all school parking lots and has partnered with CSKT and Valley View School to provide access at the locations listed below. Students and families are welcome to park and access the internet as needed. Signal strength is better closer to the building but, we do ask that all students and families stay in their vehicle and when possible park at least two spots away from other vehicles.
WiFi Login and Password:
Wireless Network: Student and Family Access
Password: letslearn (case sensitive)
Parking Lot Access Locations
- Cherry Valley Elementary
- Linderman Elementary
- Polson Middle School
- Polson High School
- Valley View School
- Turtle Lake Early Head Start Center (click for WiFi map)
- Elmo Community Center (click for WiFi map)
Follow the instructions found here to install Google Chrome on your home computer. Using Google Chrome as your web browser for distance learning will provide the best experience for students. Chrome allows the use of "extensions" that enhance the online learning experience and provide a consistent platform for everyone. If you don't have a computer or device at home, please contact your teacher or the school office for assistance.
You should have received your student's district username and password from your school or teacher. Many students will already know their username or password, however if you don't have this information make sure to contact your teacher or the school office.
Username: (not case sensitive)
Last.First@students.polson.k12.mt.us
Password: (case sensitive)
Provided by Teacher or School Office
Note: the usernames of students with long names have been shortened.
Get each student in your household signed into the Chrome browser with their own profile. This step only needs to be done once but will provide an easy way for them to get logged into their school resources, while keeping them seperate from your other web browsing. If you have multiple students sharing a computer, it will allow students to quickly switch between users without a lot of extra work.
After you are signed into the Chrome browser, you can go to classroom.google.com or use the quick links at the top of this page to get connected. Many teachers have additional information and resources available on their department site-- you can check the links below for each school for more information.
Distance Learning Information
A Message from Principal Crowl
Welcome to the Cherry Valley Distance Learning Site. You should have received a letter by now that contains your child’s individual Google Classroom access information. If you have any questions on how to get your student set up for distance learning a step-by-step guide has been provided for you. Teachers are standing by to offer support as you and your child learn this new educational platform. Instructional Kits have been created for each Cherry Valley student and contain materials and supplies for your child to successfully complete their assigned classroom activities. Packets of grade level material will also be made available each week. These hard copy packets DO NOT need to be returned to the school but offer additional at-home practice opportunities. Both the Instructional Kits and packets can be picked up at the Cherry Valley front entrance. New grade-level packets will also be made available for pick up at the food distribution sites each week. The Cherry Valley teachers, counselors and school nurse continue to be accessible by phone to answer questions and assist you in any way. Please stay safe and healthy!
Sincerely,
Rhonda Crowl, Cherry Valley Elementary Principal
A Message from Principal Wilson
Welcome to the LInderman Distance Learning Site. Your child will be receiving a letter from his/her teacher containing Google Classroom access information. On the Polson District website, follow the "Steps to get home computer ready for distance learning." As you click each step a drop down of instructions and videos will be shown to help you through the process. The teachers have been working hard to get their Google Classrooms up and running and are excited to work with their students. If you have any questions about how to get your student set up for distance learning, your child's teacher can answer your questions or you can call the Linderman office and we can assist you. While we would much prefer seeing our students' faces in person, we look forward to this new learning adventure. If you are unable to access the distance learning site, we will continue to have printed packets of grade level materials available at the Linderman office.
A Message from Principal Yarbrough
Polson Middle School teachers have been planning intensively to maintain learning throughout the closure. There will be online resources and lessons provided through Google Classroom. These are designed so students can complete them whenever they have access to the internet. Students will not be required to log-in at specific times for “live” online instruction.
Class work will be provided on a weekly basis. New content will be available each Monday. We are requesting that students complete work and submit it by Friday of that week so teachers can assess learning and provide feedback. Office hours for teachers and staff will be 9:00 - 10:00 and 1:00 - 2:00 Monday through Friday. This is when we will be responding to emails and phone calls. Of course, there may be a need to arrange help for your child outside of these hours and that is just fine.
We will distribute chromebooks to students based on the needs identified through conversations with advisory and homeroom teachers. This will begin on Monday, April 13th. This process will be ongoing throughout the closure, so if your situation changes and your child needs a device to access instructional resources, please reach out to me at jyarbrough@polson.k12.mt.us. If you need to speak to one of us or are having difficulty accessing online content, please call the school at (406) 883-6335.
Go Pirates,
Mr. Yarbrough
Previous Weeks Enrichment Activities and Department Sites
Polson High School
To our students--We are not happy about not seeing you everyday, and we do miss you and we are concerned about you. If you have any concerns as parents or students, please reach out to the Polson High School office at 883-6351 and let us know how we can help.
The Polson High School staff has been working extremely hard during the past three week as we all make the transition to distance learning for the next two weeks. I know the last couple of weeks have been a little hectic, but beginning on April 13th we are going to move to full distance learning with packet work if you have no internet. I encourage all students to log in to each individual class. Please call the high school if you need assitance getting access to a device or packet work from teachers. All staff have set up a google classroom for students to log in to and complete assignments. If you are doing packet work, we will have a drop-off box outside the high school on Friday’s for you to turn in your completed work for feedback. WiFi access at the schools and other locations are listed above on this page.
All teachers will still have office hours from 9:00 - 10:00 am and 1:00 - 2:00 pm if you need anything. If you are having internet issues, please call your teachers at their high school phone extensions. The call will be forwarded to their homes.
We look forward to meeting the needs of all our students as we progress through the next weeks of the school year. If for any reason you have a question or concern, please email me at phamilton@polson.k12.mt.us or call 883-6351 *203.
Stay Healthy and Go Pirates!
Previous Weeks Enrichment Activities and Department Sites
Need Help?
Step 1- Take a minute to review the instructions and videos above many of the common questions and problems you may run into are covered.
Step 2- Contact your child's teacher- reach out to your teacher and let them know you are having problems. Your teacher can help answer questions and connect you with the support resources you need.
Step 3- If you are unable to contact your teacher or aren't getting the help you need please send an email to: distancesupport@polson.k12.mt.us - make sure to include:
- students name
- students grade level
- your name
- phone number
- description of the problem
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.