Hi ICS families,
If your child is having trouble accessing Youtube videos recommended by their teachers when logged into Chrome through their ICS account, we are aware of the problem and are working on solutions. In the meantime, please work on other assignments. Your child will not be expected to complete any work related to any inaccessible video until the problem is resolved.
Parent Help Desk Sessions:
If you have Google Classroom questions (or any ICS tech questions), we are offering Parent Help Desk hours via Zoom at the following times this week:
Tuesday, 4/21 from 9am-10am – Join here
Tuesday, 4/21 from 7pm-8pm – Join here
Wednesday, 4/22 from 3pm-4pm – Join here
Zoom Meeting ID: 466 693 3597
Zoom Meeting Password: helpdesk
You can also dial into the meeting via phone by calling this number:
(929) 205-6099
Phone Meeting ID: 466 693 3597
Phone Password: 400573
Online Resources Refresher:
Your child has a Clever portal that provides access to a variety of online resources. For most of the online resources, Clever will automatically log your child into the online service. For a few, there is an extra step, such as keying in a password.
We are using Zoom as the school’s video conferencing platform in conjunction with Clever. Through Clever, we can ensure that all Zoom meetings will protect your child’s privacy. Your child should be able to join a Zoom meeting from within their Clever portal page. Click here for English and here for Spanish for directions about how to log onto Clever.
BrainPOP:
BrainPOP is one of the most popular online services among students. Clever automatically logs students into BrainPOP:
- BrainPOP for grades 3 to 8
- BrainPOP Jr for grades K to 3
- BrainPOP Español for grades K to 8
- BrainPOP ELL for English language learners
Kids A-Z (or RazKids A-Z):
Kids A-Z is a resource to work on reading comprehension in both English or Spanish. Students in grades K to 4 have access to Kids A-Z. Also students working with T. Kaitlyn, Carolyn, and Tiia may have Kids A-Z accounts. Clever will take your child to the teacher’s page. Upon clicking their name, your child will need to key in a password.
IXL:
ICS has been using IXL as a primary online resource for mathematics for several years. IXL Math is available to students in grades K to 8. IXL ELA and Science is available to students in grades 3 to 8. The Clever portal takes the student to the IXl sign-in page for Independence Charter School. Your child only needs to click on “Sign in with Google” to log into IXL. If prompted, your child needs to supply their school G Suite (email) account.
TumbleBook Library:
TumbleBook Library is another online reading resource for students in grades K to 3. Clever automatically logs your child into a library of ebooks.
In case you missed it:
- Family School Closure Updates
- Principal Kristen’s Family Update: April 17th
- ICS Staff Video
- ICS Community Mental Health
- NEW: Updated list of food sites in Philadelphia
- Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Google Classroom
If you have technology questions: Email helpdesk@icscharter.com
Contact Information / Address Changes: Please send to Tr. Natalie N.(natalien@icscharter.com). It is important to have the most updated parent contact information during this closure period!
Are you leaving ICS?
If you know that your child will not be returning to ICS next year due to moving out of Philadelphia or transferring to a different school, please let Tr. Natalie N. know as soon as possible. This helps us immensely with enrollment planning. Thank you!
We hope you all are doing as well as able during these difficult times.
Above and beyond everything that the teachers and the school are doing to help students continue to receive an education, the PTA wants to further help ICS families. We hope to coordinate grade-wise social meet-ups on Zoom to take place on weekends, and we are looking for other ways that the PTA can help.
Please take a moment to complete this simple check-in survey so that we can both gauge interest in grade-wise social meet-ups and learn how we can help during this crisis.
Stay safe.
Best Regards,
Katrina, PTA President and mom to 4th graders Nelly & Cassie
It’s that time of year again when we need all ICS parents to start taking the School District’s annual family survey. The survey provides valuable feedback to ICS and to the District’s Office of Research and Evaluation, and our total participation has an impact on ICS’s annual School Progress Report scores.
All you need your children’s student ID number to get started. You can find them on any report card, or I am happy to email them to you if needed, just hit reply and ask.