COVID-19 UPDATE (As of 3pm, 3/25)
Hello, all. I wanted to share an update with you all regarding plans going forward as we learn more information about COVID-19 and how Florida is responding. As of now, Alachua County is under a stay at home order. Earlier this week, Cambridge International cancelled all exams for the May/June 2020 examination series. Cambridge has stated that students will be able to receive marks for their courses and diplomas, though they have not clarified how this will work. Cambridge has planned an announcement for Thursday, 3/26. More information will hopefully be available at this time. Read Cambridge's initial announcement here.
Obviously, the cancellation of exams significantly alters the courses you are all enrolled in. Additionally, I feel very strongly that many of you (as well as myself) likely have big concerns right now, and those concerns might not revolve around your science class. My number one priority is supporting you during this stressful time, and to be here for what YOU need. There will be assignments for the fourth nine weeks of both biology and environmental management, though I intend them to only cover the essentials of our remaining content. I also plan to offer several extra credit opportunities for those of you wishing to remediate or improve your third nine weeks grade. I want to be flexible with you. If you are in extenuating circumstances (working to support your family, without internet or cell phone service, dealing with illness or loss), PLEASE let me know if you are willing to. I can work with you.
I am still in the process of figuring out the best ways to communicate with you all. Please continue to check this website for updated information, and PLEASE CHECK YOUR SCHOOL GMAIL ACCOUNTS. The school board has stated they will be providing guidance for teachers going forward with e-learning on Monday, 3/30. Additionally, on that day, I have a phone conference with the rest of the science department and Mr. Shelnutt. Mr. Shelnutt is meeting with all teachers digitally on Monday and will be providing us with information then. On Monday, 3/30 I will collate the resources the district has sent out and select how we will be communicating (I am unsure if the district will encourage existing platforms like Google classroom or will provide us with access to an alternate e-learning site, but I will keep you posted). By end of day on Monday, I will have complete plans to take us through April 15. There will be no tests for the rest of the school year, even if we return to physical campus on April 15.
SO PAXSON, WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING NOW??
AICE/AP BIOLOGY: Work on your immunity and disease guided reading. Please plan to turn this assignment in by 5pm on April 1. You may type your answers and email as a word or PDF file, or you may hand write and scan or photograph your assignment, then email it to me. Note that there is an extra credit assignment on this guided reading to listen to an episode of This Podcast Will Kill You and write a reflection paper. This assignment should be typed and can be emailed to me as well. TPWKY is a fantastic podcast about (mostly infectious) disease. There is an episode on COVID-19, along with recently released update episodes with interviews you might be interested in. Early next week, I will post the online assignment and lectures for this unit.
PLEASE LOOK AT THIS SITE for information from the College Board regarding AP exams. College Board is offering free online courses and reviews. They are also offering 45-minute online versions of the test for this year, and plan to offer at least two versions, one sooner and one later to accommodate students with different needs. This year's AP Bio exam will only cover the first 75% of the pacing guide. I will be posting resources including a pacing guide and summary of what to expect on this year's exam early next week, and I will be surveying you all on how you would like me to help you prepare. Full AP Exam information will be released on April 3.
AICE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: We get to spend the rest of the year having fun and focusing on the regional issues we normally wouldn't have time to cover! We had two Cambridge units remaining: atmospheric structure and weather and air pollution. We have already covered portions of this latter unit as we started the year with global climate change. My intention for your class is to cover the basics of weather and the sources and impacts of air pollution, but we will otherwise focus on the local ecosystems in our backyards, apartment complexes, and neighborhoods. I want to provide several options that will hopefully enrich your time at home. Some of these will involve going outside while others will direct you to readings or activities online. I will begin posting these options early next week. I would like for you to complete the ones that are most appealing, and will provide instructions when I know better what the school board's plans for us are.
"What about my research paper?" I don't know. As exams are cancelled, I suspect the research paper, which is component 3 of our exam, will also be washed. Alternatively they may ask us to submit just the research papers, or may ask me to continue marking them and send along scores, or not have me mark any and just send your papers for digital assessment. We'll see. I've asked Ms. Butfiloski to reach out, but am waiting to hear back. If research papers are not being accepted, we will likely be done for the year with them and your second draft grade will be your final research grade. I will contact students with failing grades on this draft and encourage them to resubmit.
EVERYONE: Please do your best to stay calm. STAY INSIDE (or outside but well away from others)!! Some of your parents have been keeping you home for almost two weeks and you are almost definitely over it. Keep in mind that staying home now might keep our hospital system functioning. Your sacrifice to hang out in your bedroom all day will help Drs and Nurses in Alachua county treat the sick, and will slow caseloads so that our friends and families are treated in real ICUs rather than tents pitched in parking lots. This is serious. Please take it seriously, isolate, and support each other. Reach out digitally to your friends and family. Ask for help or a friend to listen when you need it. Listen to your bodies and take the breaks from work you need. It's ok to get overwhelmed and just play video games for a bit. Try to stay calm and healthy, and know that I'm here for you if you need me.
I miss you all immensely. You really are my favorite part of teaching, and it's going to be so weird doing this distance learning thing when seeing your faces in person is the best part of my job. We'll get through this together, though. Stay smart, stay safe, and wash your hands!
Much Love,
Paxson
COVID-19 UPDATE (As of 8pm, 3/17)
As many of you are probably already aware, the governor has ordered that all public schools remain closed through at least April 15. In light of this, SBAC schools will be moving to online learning.
While our district has not yet decided the precise way this will be implemented, I wanted to assure all of you that we will get through this together. Please try not to be stressed or scared. I promise I will be understanding with all grades and there will be opportunities to remediate tests we had not yet gone over or assignments yet to be turned in to me.
At this point, I still plan to create online lectures to post via YouTube, though have not completed setting up a digital forum to share everything with you all. I will be posting due dates and a recommended schedule to carry us through April 15, and will begin working on plans should we need to be out longer. Please check this website again after Friday for a tentative schedule and plans as we go forward.
I DO NOT KNOW what will be happening with exams, research papers, or the laboratory practical. As I learn more, I will share it with you.
Please do your best to stay positive and not stress. I know many of you are heartbroken about missing so many important milestones. No one wanted this for their senior year, and I can only imagine what you are all going through. Please stay in contact with each other digitally, and do your best to be there for each other in spirit. Continue to follow all recommended guidelines available on CDC.gov, and stay safe out there! I am here if you need anything, so please reach out via email if I can help you with anything!
COVID-19 UPDATE (As of 2pm, 3/16)
As of right now school is out until March 30, and could potentially be closed longer. If we do not return after spring break, I will be posting information here regarding assignments and lecture notes. I will record notes to post digitally should this be necessary.
AICE ENVIRONMENTAL: I am attempting to figure out an efficient way to distribute your second draft research rubrics. Turnitin comments will be available by the end of this week. Barring an extension from Cambridge, we will still need to submit research papers by mid-April. Ideally, you will turn your research in the week of March 30 in person, but if we are out of school I will make arrangements otherwise. You will likely need to email me your final drafts.
We will pick up with the atmosphere when we return. I will post the guided reading here by end of the week.
AICE/AP BIOLOGY: We will postpone our repro unit until after we return. When we do return, we will start (yes, I see the irony) immunity and infectious disease. Please plan to turn the guided reading for this unit in by March 30. If we're not in school I will offer extra credit for submitting it digitally. Please note the extra credit option on this GR. If we're out for longer, I will record lectures for our final units. Should you wish to work ahead, the homeostasis guided readings as well as problem sets for immunity and disease and homeostasis and control are posted on the AS and A level tabs under AICE Biology. Please look out for more information here should school be canceled for longer. If it is, we will prioritise labs in class when we return and I will record lectures for home viewing.
ALL STUDENTS: Please try to stay calm and enjoy this unexpected time with loved ones. Please feel free to reach out to me via email if you need anything. As we learn more I will do my best to keep you posted. As you socially distance, consider going into nature with those you are isolating with. Stay physically active, take in our beautiful weather, and if you feel ill, STAY INSIDE AND REST! Please follow all recommendations at cdc.gov, and take care of yourselves! Stay safe and I'll see you all soon enough!
TUESDAY, 3/17: Several of you have emailed asking about lab and class notebooks. These will not be due for the third nine weeks. Instead, I will grade all 3rd nine weeks notebook labs and assignments with the 4th nine weeks notebook checks.
Hello, all. I wanted to share an update with you all regarding plans going forward as we learn more information about COVID-19 and how Florida is responding. As of now, Alachua County is under a stay at home order. Earlier this week, Cambridge International cancelled all exams for the May/June 2020 examination series. Cambridge has stated that students will be able to receive marks for their courses and diplomas, though they have not clarified how this will work. Cambridge has planned an announcement for Thursday, 3/26. More information will hopefully be available at this time. Read Cambridge's initial announcement here.
Obviously, the cancellation of exams significantly alters the courses you are all enrolled in. Additionally, I feel very strongly that many of you (as well as myself) likely have big concerns right now, and those concerns might not revolve around your science class. My number one priority is supporting you during this stressful time, and to be here for what YOU need. There will be assignments for the fourth nine weeks of both biology and environmental management, though I intend them to only cover the essentials of our remaining content. I also plan to offer several extra credit opportunities for those of you wishing to remediate or improve your third nine weeks grade. I want to be flexible with you. If you are in extenuating circumstances (working to support your family, without internet or cell phone service, dealing with illness or loss), PLEASE let me know if you are willing to. I can work with you.
I am still in the process of figuring out the best ways to communicate with you all. Please continue to check this website for updated information, and PLEASE CHECK YOUR SCHOOL GMAIL ACCOUNTS. The school board has stated they will be providing guidance for teachers going forward with e-learning on Monday, 3/30. Additionally, on that day, I have a phone conference with the rest of the science department and Mr. Shelnutt. Mr. Shelnutt is meeting with all teachers digitally on Monday and will be providing us with information then. On Monday, 3/30 I will collate the resources the district has sent out and select how we will be communicating (I am unsure if the district will encourage existing platforms like Google classroom or will provide us with access to an alternate e-learning site, but I will keep you posted). By end of day on Monday, I will have complete plans to take us through April 15. There will be no tests for the rest of the school year, even if we return to physical campus on April 15.
SO PAXSON, WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING NOW??
AICE/AP BIOLOGY: Work on your immunity and disease guided reading. Please plan to turn this assignment in by 5pm on April 1. You may type your answers and email as a word or PDF file, or you may hand write and scan or photograph your assignment, then email it to me. Note that there is an extra credit assignment on this guided reading to listen to an episode of This Podcast Will Kill You and write a reflection paper. This assignment should be typed and can be emailed to me as well. TPWKY is a fantastic podcast about (mostly infectious) disease. There is an episode on COVID-19, along with recently released update episodes with interviews you might be interested in. Early next week, I will post the online assignment and lectures for this unit.
PLEASE LOOK AT THIS SITE for information from the College Board regarding AP exams. College Board is offering free online courses and reviews. They are also offering 45-minute online versions of the test for this year, and plan to offer at least two versions, one sooner and one later to accommodate students with different needs. This year's AP Bio exam will only cover the first 75% of the pacing guide. I will be posting resources including a pacing guide and summary of what to expect on this year's exam early next week, and I will be surveying you all on how you would like me to help you prepare. Full AP Exam information will be released on April 3.
AICE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: We get to spend the rest of the year having fun and focusing on the regional issues we normally wouldn't have time to cover! We had two Cambridge units remaining: atmospheric structure and weather and air pollution. We have already covered portions of this latter unit as we started the year with global climate change. My intention for your class is to cover the basics of weather and the sources and impacts of air pollution, but we will otherwise focus on the local ecosystems in our backyards, apartment complexes, and neighborhoods. I want to provide several options that will hopefully enrich your time at home. Some of these will involve going outside while others will direct you to readings or activities online. I will begin posting these options early next week. I would like for you to complete the ones that are most appealing, and will provide instructions when I know better what the school board's plans for us are.
"What about my research paper?" I don't know. As exams are cancelled, I suspect the research paper, which is component 3 of our exam, will also be washed. Alternatively they may ask us to submit just the research papers, or may ask me to continue marking them and send along scores, or not have me mark any and just send your papers for digital assessment. We'll see. I've asked Ms. Butfiloski to reach out, but am waiting to hear back. If research papers are not being accepted, we will likely be done for the year with them and your second draft grade will be your final research grade. I will contact students with failing grades on this draft and encourage them to resubmit.
EVERYONE: Please do your best to stay calm. STAY INSIDE (or outside but well away from others)!! Some of your parents have been keeping you home for almost two weeks and you are almost definitely over it. Keep in mind that staying home now might keep our hospital system functioning. Your sacrifice to hang out in your bedroom all day will help Drs and Nurses in Alachua county treat the sick, and will slow caseloads so that our friends and families are treated in real ICUs rather than tents pitched in parking lots. This is serious. Please take it seriously, isolate, and support each other. Reach out digitally to your friends and family. Ask for help or a friend to listen when you need it. Listen to your bodies and take the breaks from work you need. It's ok to get overwhelmed and just play video games for a bit. Try to stay calm and healthy, and know that I'm here for you if you need me.
I miss you all immensely. You really are my favorite part of teaching, and it's going to be so weird doing this distance learning thing when seeing your faces in person is the best part of my job. We'll get through this together, though. Stay smart, stay safe, and wash your hands!
Much Love,
Paxson
COVID-19 UPDATE (As of 8pm, 3/17)
As many of you are probably already aware, the governor has ordered that all public schools remain closed through at least April 15. In light of this, SBAC schools will be moving to online learning.
While our district has not yet decided the precise way this will be implemented, I wanted to assure all of you that we will get through this together. Please try not to be stressed or scared. I promise I will be understanding with all grades and there will be opportunities to remediate tests we had not yet gone over or assignments yet to be turned in to me.
At this point, I still plan to create online lectures to post via YouTube, though have not completed setting up a digital forum to share everything with you all. I will be posting due dates and a recommended schedule to carry us through April 15, and will begin working on plans should we need to be out longer. Please check this website again after Friday for a tentative schedule and plans as we go forward.
I DO NOT KNOW what will be happening with exams, research papers, or the laboratory practical. As I learn more, I will share it with you.
Please do your best to stay positive and not stress. I know many of you are heartbroken about missing so many important milestones. No one wanted this for their senior year, and I can only imagine what you are all going through. Please stay in contact with each other digitally, and do your best to be there for each other in spirit. Continue to follow all recommended guidelines available on CDC.gov, and stay safe out there! I am here if you need anything, so please reach out via email if I can help you with anything!
COVID-19 UPDATE (As of 2pm, 3/16)
As of right now school is out until March 30, and could potentially be closed longer. If we do not return after spring break, I will be posting information here regarding assignments and lecture notes. I will record notes to post digitally should this be necessary.
AICE ENVIRONMENTAL: I am attempting to figure out an efficient way to distribute your second draft research rubrics. Turnitin comments will be available by the end of this week. Barring an extension from Cambridge, we will still need to submit research papers by mid-April. Ideally, you will turn your research in the week of March 30 in person, but if we are out of school I will make arrangements otherwise. You will likely need to email me your final drafts.
We will pick up with the atmosphere when we return. I will post the guided reading here by end of the week.
AICE/AP BIOLOGY: We will postpone our repro unit until after we return. When we do return, we will start (yes, I see the irony) immunity and infectious disease. Please plan to turn the guided reading for this unit in by March 30. If we're not in school I will offer extra credit for submitting it digitally. Please note the extra credit option on this GR. If we're out for longer, I will record lectures for our final units. Should you wish to work ahead, the homeostasis guided readings as well as problem sets for immunity and disease and homeostasis and control are posted on the AS and A level tabs under AICE Biology. Please look out for more information here should school be canceled for longer. If it is, we will prioritise labs in class when we return and I will record lectures for home viewing.
ALL STUDENTS: Please try to stay calm and enjoy this unexpected time with loved ones. Please feel free to reach out to me via email if you need anything. As we learn more I will do my best to keep you posted. As you socially distance, consider going into nature with those you are isolating with. Stay physically active, take in our beautiful weather, and if you feel ill, STAY INSIDE AND REST! Please follow all recommendations at cdc.gov, and take care of yourselves! Stay safe and I'll see you all soon enough!
TUESDAY, 3/17: Several of you have emailed asking about lab and class notebooks. These will not be due for the third nine weeks. Instead, I will grade all 3rd nine weeks notebook labs and assignments with the 4th nine weeks notebook checks.
If you need to contact me, e-mail is the best option using the form below. You may also phone the school and leave a message.