Hello Parents and Students! 

My name is Elizabeth Jones (Mrs. Jones), formerly known here at Oakcrest at Ms. Peebles. I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, with a focus in education, from the University of Florida. I am a certified teacher with a professional certificate and ESOL Endorsement. I taught at Oakcrest for 4 years in both 3rd and 4th grades, left for one year to teach at South Ocala in 5th Grade, and am back as the 4th Grade Online Teacher for the 2020-2021 school year. When I am not in school, I enjoy paddle boarding in our beautiful Florida waterways, fishing, and hiking. My husband and I have a full house with 3 dogs, 3 cats, 4 chickens, my step daughter who is in the 4th grade, and my son who joined our family at the end of last school year! 

I am so excited to start this year of distance learning with you! My goal is to have open communication and flexibility in order to make distance learning work for everyone. Please be understanding, since this new format of learning is being introduced for the first time. In the following sections, you will see a plan for the upcoming weeks. Please be mindful that this is subject to change as we see what is working and what is not. 

Parent/Teacher Communication:

The best way to communicate with me is still through Class Dojo. If you do not have access to class dojo, please email me for a new student code. If email is preferrable to you, this is another great way to contact me. My email is elizabeth.jones@marion.k12.fl.us. 

Both email and Class Dojo will be up and running throughout each day. 

Google Voice Phone Number: (352) 559-6198 calls and messages can be recieved through this number. 

We are using Google Classroom as an Online Learning System:

This year 4th grade will be using Google Classrom. If you are new to my class and need access to our page, please send me an email at elizabeth.jones@marion.k12.fl.us with your child's name and I will send an invitiation.

Zoom Meetings: 

Zoom meetings will be held throughout each day. This is how we will do our morning meet ups, whole group lessons, small group lessons, and anything else that has a need for face to face instruction and/or conversation. I will post links to our Zoom meetings on Class Dojo and Canvas. 

It is very important that students are present and on time for our face to face meetings. This is how I gauge attendance and provide personalized instruction for students throughout each day. Being on time for our meetings is like being on time for class. These sessions will likely be recorded to provide the best quality of online learning I can. 

Marion County Public Schools may record online classroom sessions utilizing third-party platforms (Zoom, Google Classroom, etc.).  These recordings will only be used for educational purposes and may be shared on other learning platforms.  If you do not want your child’s image or identifying information recorded, utilize your device/platform controls to stop the camera feed from your device.

Student Behavior Expectations:

All MCPS Online students are held to the same standards of behavior as traditional face-to-face students, as outlined under the Marion County Code of Student Conduct. As such, all consequences for inappropriate behavior will be based under this Code. Students are expected to be respectful of others and attentive to their learning during our online instruction.  

Office Hours for Extra Support: 

The online school day will follow the same schedule as the in person day. Therefore, students should expect to be in multiple classes throughout the day including specials and any other remedial or enrichment class they need. Due to this schedule, I will post my office hours as soon as I have them. In the meantime, please feel free to call me at school, on Google Voice, or via onlne tools such as Class Dojo and email to request extra help or ask any questions. Remember, if I am not online with students I could be holding small groups with others or in planning meetings. As schedules get worked out, I will post office hours below. 

iReady Online Instruction:

Students are to work in iReady Online in both Reading and Math. Getting 45 minutes each week, no more than 60 minutes, with a 70% pass rate or higher is the goal. This program is used to drive instruction and provide students with remediation to fill gaps in learning, or enrichment to help them further progress beyond their grade. Due to this, it is very important that students take any Diagnostic or Growth Check by themselves (and very seriously) so that they are provided with the instruction that best fits their needs. If extra help is needed on a lesson, students can request it from me or I will catch it on their pass rates. 

Homework and Extra Practice: 

Students are asked to read AT LEAST 20 minutes each day, parents are more than welcome to read with their children during this time. It is even great for parents to read to their children every now and then to model proficient reading. 

At times, students will be asked to finish an assignment from class they may not have completed or that needs to be redone. Other times, they will be assigned extra practice in order to succeed in a skill. Homework will be expected to be turned in. 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or anything is needed for your child to succeed. 

Thanks for your support, 

Mrs. E. Jones