Welcome to Mrs. Balasia's Class Page. Click on the bar above to find out information that is specific to your course.
Balasia's Notices due to School Closure:
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Notice #6: (posted on 4/20/20) - We're switching to Schoology!
Thank you to everyone who voiced their opinion during our online Q & A sessions and/or the anonymous Survey Monkey poll. The data showed that, as a whole, you desired a change in where I posted my assignments. So, I've moved those to Schoology. However, based on your feedback, we will still utilize Microsoft Teams for our weekly online Q & A sessions. Below are files on how to access Schoology from a browser, how to access Schoology from an app, and how to access Microsoft Teams.
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accessing_microsoft_teams.docx | |
File Size: | 4934 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Notice #5: (posted on 4/13/20)
Hello!
I hope this notice finds you well and that you enjoyed your Spring Break. Although it wasn't Florida weather, we did have a few nice days towards the beginning of the week. The temperatures have dipped again; probably in order to allow you to get back in a school state-of-mind ;) Remember, I'm always available through email if you need me! [email protected] |
Today, the district released "A Parents Guide to Learning at Home". Many questions have been addressed in this document. Please take the time to read it. I will continue to post weekly learning activities on your class pages (click on bar at the top of this page). I will be breaking these activities up into ~30 minute blocks and allocating them to a specific day of the week. This is just a suggestion! Please complete them on the schedule that makes sense for you! You do not have to submit all of your work to me. However, if you would like my feedback, I'd be happy to provide it! Simply email it to me (scan or photo) at [email protected]
In addition, I will continue to host weekly Q & A sessions through Microsoft Teams. You can think of these as "office hours". Although I'd love to see/hear you through the whole session, you can feel free to pop-in to ask your question(s), then pop-out when you're set. The schedule remains:
In addition, I will continue to host weekly Q & A sessions through Microsoft Teams. You can think of these as "office hours". Although I'd love to see/hear you through the whole session, you can feel free to pop-in to ask your question(s), then pop-out when you're set. The schedule remains:
- Algebra 2 Wednesdays, from 7:30pm-8:30pm
- Algebra 1 Thursdays, from 7:00pm-7:45pm
- IM Algebra 1 Thursdays, from 7:45pm-8:30pm
One main question that's still outstanding is in reference to grading (excerpt from pg. 8 of "A Parents Guide to Learning at Home" is listed to the left).
As far as this class, the Governor's order splits us into two categories:
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If you are in category 1 (students who were "on pace when school was closed"), I cannot penalize you for not participating in the activities I post. However, I urge you to continue to do the best you can in order to maximize your learning potential. As I stated in my very first notice, this may end up being the most altruistic moment in your education; when you truly learn for the sake of learning, not for a grade!
If you are in category 2 (students who were not "on pace when school was closed"), I desperately want to give you a chance to move to category 1! However, until I get clarification from the district on how/if this can be done, we will have to sit tight. I will be in touch as soon as I get further clarification.
Stay well!
Mrs. Balasia :)
If you are in category 2 (students who were not "on pace when school was closed"), I desperately want to give you a chance to move to category 1! However, until I get clarification from the district on how/if this can be done, we will have to sit tight. I will be in touch as soon as I get further clarification.
Stay well!
Mrs. Balasia :)
Notice #4: (posted on 4/6/20)
Hi all!
Last Thursday, we received the news that in-person instruction will not resume this school year. Notice it did NOT say that school is cancelled! As part of the executive order, a "continuity of learning" plan is required by Warren Consolidated Schools(WCS).
At this point, I have received some answers to begin the planning of the remainder of our school year. I expect the leaders of WCS to be communicating with me throughout the week to answer questions that still remain. As Dr. Livernois' community letter stated, "A Parents Guide to Learning at Home" will be released the week of April 13. As the current week is technically our Spring Break, I will release my next week of work as a follow-up to that guide.
Last Thursday, we received the news that in-person instruction will not resume this school year. Notice it did NOT say that school is cancelled! As part of the executive order, a "continuity of learning" plan is required by Warren Consolidated Schools(WCS).
At this point, I have received some answers to begin the planning of the remainder of our school year. I expect the leaders of WCS to be communicating with me throughout the week to answer questions that still remain. As Dr. Livernois' community letter stated, "A Parents Guide to Learning at Home" will be released the week of April 13. As the current week is technically our Spring Break, I will release my next week of work as a follow-up to that guide.
Again, since this week is Spring Break, there will be no specific work given or any online Q & A sessions. This is a perfect time for you to focus your learning on something you've always wanted to do! For instance, I've always wanted to solve a Rubik's Cube. As you can see from my proud picture to the left, I finally did it! All I needed was the gift of time and the guidance of an online tutorial video. |
I look forward to hearing what you've taken the time to learn this week! Maybe you'll tried out a new recipe. Or, maybe learn a new song on your instrument. Maybe you'll memorize 50 TikTok dances! Or, maybe figure out a way to bring joy to someone who may be struggling right now.
YOU ALL are tremendous people! I cannot wait to reconnect starting the week of April 13! ~ Mrs. Balasia :) |
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Notice #3: (posted on 3/30/20)
Hello and Happy Monday!
It was SO nice seeing many of your faces/hearing your voices last week during our online Q & A sessions! In some cases we discussed mathematics. However, we mostly discussed peoples' questions regarding the school closure, how I'll be handling grades, and where/how to access the optional enrichment work. See answers to those questions below:
It was SO nice seeing many of your faces/hearing your voices last week during our online Q & A sessions! In some cases we discussed mathematics. However, we mostly discussed peoples' questions regarding the school closure, how I'll be handling grades, and where/how to access the optional enrichment work. See answers to those questions below:
- School Closure: Currently, we are scheduled to return to school on Tuesday, April 14th. However, with the Governor's announcement last Friday (that it's very unlikely that we'll return to school this year), we anticipate this to change. WCS will notify you of this change as soon as it is available. Today, during a press conference, Governor Whitmer said we can expect an announcement later this week.
- Grades: Currently, our 3rd Quarter is scheduled to end on April 24th. The remainder of the time (through June 11th) is considered our 4th Quarter. However, with the anticipated school closure announcement (see above), we expect this to change, as well. WCS will notify you of any changes related to grades as soon as they are available. I want you to know that I cannot, in good faith, keep 3rd quarter grades the way they are (unless you're happy with it). My teaching philosophy has always been one that allows you to learn from your mistakes. When we left in mid-March, every class was going to have an opportunity to show growth you had in your learning. I will make a decision on how to best allow for this when more information is available :) - Enrichment Work: The weekly, optional enrichment is posted on your class page every Monday. Simply click on your course on the bar at the top of this page to find it! Note: I do have 3 small children. So, know that I update it through the day when they are doing other tasks. I send out a Remind when it's complete. Wait for the Remind or look later in the evening if you don't want to keep checking to see if it's posted. |
During last week's Q & A sessions, I found out that some of your families are literally not letting you go outside of your house! Even though the slogan is "Stay Home, Stay Safe", every resource I've read states that you should be going outside and getting exercise! This is very important for your physical and emotional well-being! Of course, you should only go on walks/bike rides/runs/play outside with people you've been quarantined with. So, invite your parents/siblings for a family walk and enjoy a breath of fresh air! I've linked some websites (below) that support what I've stated:
Lastly, I will be hosting the following Q & A sessions on on Microsoft Teams this week:
Mrs. Balasia :) |
Notice #2: (posted on 3/23/20)
1.) I hope you are all doing well. I miss seeing your beautiful faces! Know that this is a strange time and it's perfectly normal to feel... strange! Please make sure that you are talking to your loved ones to process everything! I am always available through email: [email protected]
2.) As expected, there has been much information to keep up with over the past week:
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Notice #1: (posted on 3/16/20)
Hello all!
I hope this message finds you well. Although this is a strange time, I'm hoping that each of you are finding your "silver lining"; mine is definitely spending time with my family! A few moments ago, I witnessed a heartwarming moment between my 3-year-old, Reese, and my 6-year-old, Brooks:
Reese woke up, grabbed her favorite dance book, and headed to her big brother's room. She asked Brooks to read her the book. He said, "Just a minute." Since a minute in a 3-year-old's mind is about 3 seconds, Reese found her daddy and had him read her the book. Brooks was so sad. He was so proud that his baby sister had asked him to read her a book and thought he'd missed his chance. When Reese saw that Brooks was sad, she retrieved the book and re-asked him to read it for her. He perked up, got a big smile on his face, and said, "Sure." Reese smiled too. There they were, sitting in a pile of stuffed animals in our hallway sharing a sweet moment. I hope I never forget it!
I want to let you know that I care for each of you and will be doing what I can to support your learning from afar! Although information from the district has been fluid, my current plan is the following:
~ Mrs. Balasia :)
I hope this message finds you well. Although this is a strange time, I'm hoping that each of you are finding your "silver lining"; mine is definitely spending time with my family! A few moments ago, I witnessed a heartwarming moment between my 3-year-old, Reese, and my 6-year-old, Brooks:
Reese woke up, grabbed her favorite dance book, and headed to her big brother's room. She asked Brooks to read her the book. He said, "Just a minute." Since a minute in a 3-year-old's mind is about 3 seconds, Reese found her daddy and had him read her the book. Brooks was so sad. He was so proud that his baby sister had asked him to read her a book and thought he'd missed his chance. When Reese saw that Brooks was sad, she retrieved the book and re-asked him to read it for her. He perked up, got a big smile on his face, and said, "Sure." Reese smiled too. There they were, sitting in a pile of stuffed animals in our hallway sharing a sweet moment. I hope I never forget it!
I want to let you know that I care for each of you and will be doing what I can to support your learning from afar! Although information from the district has been fluid, my current plan is the following:
- Every Monday morning, I will post a few learning objectives/tasks for the week. At this point, these are firm suggestions and I am waiting to hear if there is a fair way to grade the work you do. This may end up being the most altruistic moment in your education; when you truly learn for the sake of learning, not for a grade! This week, the objectives/tasks will come out by Tuesday morning.
- To support your learning, I will suggest links to videos/practice on reliable educational websites (think: Khan Academy or online textbooks). Watch them/do them or search your own resources by the topic.
- To further support your learning, I will host a weekly Q & A session through Microsoft Teams. Each of you have a school email address (I will be telling you more about this in the coming days) that will allow you to access the online meeting (again, more info to come). This will be an opportunity to see each other, go over questions you have, & confirm learning objectives are met. These will most likely be in the evenings.
~ Mrs. Balasia :)
Where to go if you need extra help...
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