We understand that these are stressful and unprecedented times for all and pray that your families are staying safe and healthy. Over Spring Break this week, our teachers have continued their preparations for meaningful distance learning classes and content. I thank and commend our faculty and staff for their ability to adapt and learn to this new method of teaching.
We want to assure you that we will continue to provide the best education and services to your children. We are grateful we had the opportunity to begin this new way of learning prior to Spring Break. Knowing from the start that our virtual teaching and instructional methods would evolve, we have assessed the original distance learning plan, platform, and schedule and have made changes that will go into effect when we resume distance learning on Monday, March 30. As we continue to facilitate distance learning, we will continue to use Google Classroom for students to view assignments and lessons (including the addition of Early Childhood using Google Classrooms). In addition, teachers will be utilizing ZOOM meetings with both pre-recorded lessons and conferences with their students for face-to-face instruction time.
We recognize that students working from home is less than ideal and that it is an adjustment for families balancing working in conjunction with supporting their children’s learning; therefore, we want to make all learning experiences manageable and meaningful while offering stability in these uncertain times. Lessons and classes have been extended compared to last week but condensed compared to the regular school day with the goal of ensuring families have family time and that distance learning does not become an all-day and all-evening activity. We want to mitigate added stress for parents, students, and teachers as best as possible.
All students are expected to participate in distance learning. In exceptional circumstances or illness, parents of students that are unable to participate should notify their advisory/homeroom teacher via email, as always.
Please direct all questions to your child’s teacher via email. Teachers will be available to provide answers and guidance during normal school hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM. If you send an email outside this time, a response will be sent the next school day.
We invite you to join us for a ZOOM Parent Coffee Meeting, Friday, March 27 at 9:00 AM. This will provide the opportunity for parents to ask pertinent questions and for us to have meaningful discussions on how we navigate this new path. We may not have all of the answers right now, but we certainly want and appreciate your feedback and collaboration. We look forward to connecting with you tomorrow! Click here to join the meeting.
In addition, we have put together a tutorial on how to navigate Google Classroom for parents. Please click here to access the short video.
DIVISION LEVEL DISTANCE LEARNING INFORMATION
Early Childhood
We are encouraging parents of Early Childhood children to participate in remote learning but it is not a requirement. All Early Childhood teachers have created a Google Classroom. Junior Toddler and Toddler House will have lessons available in their Google Classrooms.
Children’s House teachers have assembled work packets for their students to complete in conjunction with the lessons posted to their Google Classrooms. On Monday, March 30 (all day), there will be a labeled “Children’s House” bin located outside the school’s front office for parents to pick up these packets.
Lessons for each day will be posted on your child’s Google Classroom page. A parent will be needed for help with accessing and approaching learning tasks. We understand that this will require assistance on the part of the parent, and simply ask that you do the best you can to continue to work with your child.
A separate email will be sent to EC parents with instructions on accessing the Google Classroom with a Google email address.
Lower School (Grades K-4)
All assignments for students in grades in K-4 are posted to Google Classrooms. Work packets have been assembled for students in grades K-2. On Monday, March 30 (all day), bins will be located outside the school’s front office for parents to pick up. The bins will be labeled by grade level and teacher name. During this time, parents can also drop off completed school work from last week. Please be sure your child’s name is on every completed packet.
Below is the updated Lower School schedule which includes ZOOM classroom meeting times.
Middle School (Grades 5-8)
We will continue with teachers using Google Classroom. Please ensure that your child has viewed and submitted past assignments. The updated Middle School schedule is below. This new schedule includes ZOOM classroom meeting times.
