The Columbia Public School district announced Wednesday it's putting classes on pause through the end of the week to make some adjustments to "alternative learning expectations" for students and staff.

The changes for April 1 through April 3 are as follows:

• For middle and high school students: no assignments will be due, no grades added to gradebooks and no tests given.
• For elementary students: packets will be the main source of instruction and no new packets will be added. Fifth graders using Schoology won't have any assignments due those three days.

For all schools, the district said teachers are expected to keep engaging with students, checking in with them and providing opportunities to connect.

The district said it would provide updates in the coming days to describe what the expectations will be moving forward.

Jaguar News

Hey Gentry Students!

Smithton Middle School is challenging all  middle schools to a VIRTUAL SPIRIT WEEK!  There is a different theme everyday this week and all you need to do is post a picture WITH THE APPROPRIATE HASHTAG on Twitter or Instagram. Get out your iPad and make this your first assignment everyday!  It can't get much easier than that!!  Teachers should participate as well.  Go Jaguars!!

Should you or someone you know needs assistance with obtaining food during this uncertain time, here are some resources that you can refer to

Students - I will post FAQ here in order to help you with your iPad

Q. What happened to my iPad and why can't I add a passcode?

A. The district disabled the option of having a passcode on your iPad, you will not be able to add one at this time.

Q. I'm having trouble connecting to iBoss. It just keeps spinning and coming back to the same screen. What can I do?

A. 

The next thing the student should try if they are unable to connect to the iBoss client are the following:

• Go to Settings
• Go to Safari in settings
• Scroll to the bottom of the Safari settings
• Then click Clear History and Website Data
• Go to safari and open up a new webpage to enter iBoss credentials
• Now you should be able to go to other webpages and use ClassLink

If that still doesn’t work, email Mrs. Spurling at cspurling@cpsk12.org or Mrs. Floyd at mfloyd@cpsk12.org

Q. When I try to login into CPS iBoss, it tells me I have the wrong username or password.  What is correct:

A.  Student number only (Ex. 26abc010 - NOT email address) and password. (Lunch number, bday month, Example 123456Jan)

For an explanation on how to connect to iBoss, click the Link to the left that says "Connecting your iPad at Home"

Q. My email is not working on the app. I haven't received new emails for quite sometime

A.  Try this work-around.  Sign into Class Link and scroll to the Student Email icon. Select it and login with your username only (not email address) and password.  Same as you did for Classlink. You may need to set up your email for "English" language and "Central Time US and Canada" time zone. You will be able to check it through Class link now.

Q.  My iPad was accidentally broken over spring break and I am unable to use it:

A. Students with damaged devices or non working devices, please call the Technology Services Help Desk at 214-3333.  Your name and information will be put on a list and we will contact you about a replacement.‬

Columbia Public Schools will be closed beginning March 18 through April 26th.  All club gatherings and activities listed on our calendar during these dates are cancelled.

Gentry Middle School offices and building are now closed to all teachers and administrators.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need assistance:

If you have a technology issue, please contact Mrs. Spurling at cspurling@cpsk12.org or Mrs. Floyd at mfloyd@cpsk12.org

If you need to reach out to one of your teachers, please use the Teacher's Desk in Schoology or contact your teachers via their email address.  Links to teacher's email addresses can be found on our Staff Directory page.

Please check your junk mail daily. We have had reports from students that teacher sent emails are going to junk.

Jaguar News Extra

As we transition to online instruction for students, we know you have lots of questions. 

Please use this link to help answer many of your questions.

Thank you for your patience during these uncertain times.

If you have questions, you may email Mrs. Spurling cspurling@cpsk12.org or Mrs. Floyd at mfloyd@cpsk12.org

Technology Support:  if you need assistance with district technology, please continue to call the Help Desk at ext. 25888 or 573-214-3333.  The Help Desk is available from 7 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday - Friday.  

Jaguar Journal