April 15, 2020
Dear Middle School Families,
I hope this finds you well, healthy, and resilient in these uncertain times. I want to first say a heartfelt thank you for your continued partnership, commitment, and feedback as we continue to improve our distance learning program to provide your daughter and your family with the best possible experience. I'm overwhelmed with the support you are providing and the continued grace and patience with which you do so. Thank you.
When?
Why? Over the past four weeks, we've learned what has worked best, and what has been challenging. The changes aim to alleviate the challenges and build off the successes to date. In addition, knowing that we will continue with distance learning through May 4, it is important to make these changes so the upcoming weeks are even more fruitful than those we've already completed. What we heard/learned... How we are addressing it... Students would benefit from a more consistent schedule during the week to aid in organization, time-management, and planning. We are moving to a consistent, weekly schedule. Each student will have a consistent schedule of "live" meetings each week, consistent time for lunch, advisory, daily planner checks, etc. Students would benefit from clearer expectations on workload and assignments each day, additional guidelines for when to complete that work, and more measures to "cap" daily work at 30 minutes for each class. We are implementing a more consistent schedule of 30 minute classes, and we will continue to repeat the 30 minute cap verbally, in writing and in assignment details.
Students would benefit from more intentional use of screen time with teachers, making sure time spent at a screen is necessary, fruitful and allows for an interpersonal connection whenever possible. We are eliminating the daily pre-recorded videos for each class that students watched each morning. Instead, teachers will be doing live content sessions during the week at a consistent time. Students would benefit from consistently scheduled, and limited "live" class times that allow for breaks in between, and allow for lunch! We are intentionally limiting "live" sessions to three classes for a maximum of 90 minutes of required "live" class time each day. Students will not have back-to-back live sessions, and will have a dedicated time for lunch and breaks each day. Students would benefit from more and easier access to teachers in a "live" setting to ask questions quickly when they arise. We are modifying teacher office hours to maximize availability when students report most need. We are also introducing consistent "virtual, open-door office" times using google hangouts where students can drop in during office hours to quickly meet with their teacher via video, get questions answered, show work, and get the help they need at the time they are most likely to need it. Students will get a separate email with additional details this evening for their specific classes and grade-level. Additionally, Mrs. Mooney and I will review all the changes tomorrow at the planner checks for each grade level. Make sure your daughter attends her planner check tomorrow!
Director of Middle School
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