Our TMS 2022-2023 calendar has been updated to include Explorer Days. Explorer Days will be five independent learning days during which students will work from home and teachers will spend time in professional development and planning.
This is a huge step forward in our efforts to update our practices and processes in a variety of areas including our math curriculum implementation, reading shifts, museum model training, restorative practices, with explicit work that will continue to root us in equitable and inclusive practices. All of this deep work will allow collaborative planning time for our staff to intentionally differentiate instruction and continue to build integrated museum model units.
We are so grateful for the full support of the Board and staff, and are happy to finally share the news with our larger community!
Please see these slides for more information (including logistics information), our FAQs below, and drop any burning questions into this form so that we might answer them for the larger community.
Updated 2022-2023 TMS School Calendar with Explorer Days
Explorer Days F.A.Q.
What are the dates of the independent learning days, during which my child will work from home?
Wherever possible we tried to align dates with the Dekalb County School District.
- August 31
- September 26
- November 8
- January 3
- February 20
What will the independent learning days look like for my child?
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Explorer Days are school days. This is not a loss of time. It is a different way and location in which learning and independent work/practice is taking place.
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Explorer Days will have clear deliverables and directions.
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Explorer Days will include a morning meeting for attendance, SEL (social and emotional learning) launch for the day, and a review of the day’s learning expectations.
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They will include learning plans for all students including those with 504 and IEP plans.
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More details will be determined as we move into the 2022-2023 school year.
Will Connect be offered?
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Connect will provide care/camp on these days the same way they provide camp on PL days (including scholarships). We will survey families to see who would be interested and who might need assistance.
Will students have access to breakfast and lunch on these days?
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Lunch and breakfast will be sent home with kids the day before (with an option to pick up on Explorer Days if needed).
How will attendance be recorded?
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Students will participate in a live morning meeting through video conference at 8:00 a.m. Explorer Days will include a morning meeting for attendance, SEL launch for the day, and a review of the day’s learning expectations.
When will Explorer Days begin?
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We will begin implementing Explorer Days in August 2022 for the 2022-2023 school year.
Will Explorer Days be included in the school’s calendar every year?
- We expect the Explorer Days to be embedded in the school’s calendar for years to come. However, we will evaluate the usefulness of the program during the 2022-2023 school year and make adjustments as necessary. We do not expect the number of Explorer Days per year to increase in future years.
