Dear Virtual Families of Jim Pearson and Stephens Elementary Schools,
We hope this letter finds you doing well and preparing for the upcoming school year. Our virtual
teachers have been calling to confirm with families who have chosen our Virtual School platform for learning
this year. If you have not received a call, please call your child’s base school so that we can connect with you!
(Jim Pearson - 256-234-8625 / Stephens - 256-234-8631)
As we prepare for the ‘Virtual Return to Learn’ at our elementary schools, we would like to provide you
with the following information that will help ensure a smooth transition for this new way of learning! This
information applies ONLY to families that have completed registration and who have already confirmed
virtual learning with our virtual staff.
1 - Virtual School Orientation will be held on TUESDAY, AUGUST 18th at 6:00 at the Benjamin Russell
High School Auditorium. Families may choose to participate virtually for orientation. An invitation will be sent
to the email that each parent provided on the virtual school intent survey. At your orientation, you will meet
your child’s virtual teacher and receive general information about learning platforms, classroom expectations,
and supplies that your child may need. You may pick up your child’s device at the conclusion of the meeting if
you attend in person. However, please note that if you did not return your school-owned device from last
spring’s distance learning, a device will not be issued for the 2020-21 school year.
2 - An additional Device Distribution day will be held on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19th from 8:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m. Devices will be distributed in a drive-thru manner at your child’s base school. Again, if you did not
return your school-owned device from last spring’s distance learning, a device will not be issued for the
2020-21 school year.
3 - On August 20th, Virtual Learning begins. Your child’s teacher will send a meeting invitation prior to the
first day of Virtual School. On the first day of virtual school, you will receive more specific information regarding
login information, virtual platforms, and tech tools that the teachers and students will be using in the virtual
classroom. Your teacher will also begin teaching your child how to login and how to use those tech tools. The
first few days of virtual learning will be held through virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom or Google Meet so
that your teachers can effectively share this critical information with you and your child.
4 - Beginning of the Year assessments will be given in late August. Students are required to take these
assessments at their base school. Your virtual teacher will schedule appointments and provide further
information for your assessment expectations.
Although we all know this school year will look different for all of us, we are committed to providing
excellent instruction to ALL of our students in Alexander City Schools! Please feel free to contact us with any
questions or concerns!
Mrs. Angela Strickland, Principal Mrs. Ivy Pike, Principal
Jim Pearson Elementary School Stephens Elementary School
