• The Advancement Office in the William Ross Building will be renovated and turned into classrooms. 
• Non-classroom spaces in both school buildings may be re-purposed to create additional space for students and teachers.
• Some staff members will telework in the fall to help free up rooms and reduce the number of people in the buildings.  
• Classes will be spaced throughout the buildings to avoid commingling and prevent the spread of the virus.

• Grade level cohorts will be established as protective bubbles for students. These cohorts will not mingle with other cohorts but will stay as individual groups throughout the school day and before and after school if they are enrolled in the Extended Hours Program. 
• Classrooms will be arranged to achieve recommended physical distancing requirements to prevent the spread of the virus. 
• Specialty teachers (world language, art, music, etc.) will move between classrooms with students staying in place. 
• Physical Education will be held outside as much as possible or in the gym (with masks for K-8) during inclement weather. 
• Tents have been purchased for outdoor academics. 
• Lunch will be delivered to the classrooms and may be eaten in class or outdoors under designated tents. 
• Sharing of school supplies, devices, toys, books, games and other learning aids will be avoided or limited.
• Outdoor recess areas will be scheduled and assigned with one grade level in one area at a time.

• Morning drop off time will begin at 7:45am. Families will be encouraged to arrive in plenty of time to allow for new health monitoring procedures that will include a student temperature check and health screening questions before the student exits the car.
• Specific drop off and pick up locations will be announced before the start of the school year. 
• Students and faculty/staff who have a fever, report coronavirus like symptoms, or have potentially been exposed must stay at home.
• Bus students will complete their health screening before getting on the bus. Read more about our bus procedures.

Edwin P. Gordon, PhD

Edwin P. Gordon, PhD

Edwin P. Gordon, PhD

Edwin P. Gordon, PhD

• All of your student’s core academic classes and arts classes meet regularly. It is our goal and expectation that rigorous and challenging academics continue. Our talented, dedicated, and professional Faculty are using multiple platforms and tools to deliver a highly effective curriculum. By now, you may have heard of Flipgrid, Sreencastify, Pear Deck and more. Teachers are being creative and innovative in their delivery of curriculum while also using the simple platform of a Google Hangout to interface and work with students. You won’t see Choice Electives due to the complicated task of teaching such a variety of classes virtually; however, you will see some cooking demonstrations from Mr. Bowley!

• Class periods are a little shorter – We have found that planning for 40 minutes online nears the equivalent of planning for 50-55 minutes when in person, and Faculty have found the 40 minute classes to be effective and efficient, especially when the teacher is interfacing with the students for the entire 40 minutes. Students have homework as they normally would so some time outside of class will be required to complete all assignments and expectations. 

• Ample transition time – When students are home, they need to log off of one class, take a quick break, gather new materials, and then log back on to the next class. Transition periods are generally 10 minutes long. 

• Workshops are new on the schedule- Workshops allow for the extension of learning. While having classes with teachers is the most important component of the schedule, we also know that students need accessibility to their teachers, as would happen in a class when students engage in individual work- hence, the Workshop. Workshops are offered for every core academic class, and are usually offered on a drop day of the same subject. This provides students the opportunity to work on a subject on a drop day, but the teacher is present and ready to assist online, even though the class isn’t being offered on that day.  

• Reading Zone – Reading is one of the most, if not the most important activity any child can engage in. We have lengthened Reading Zone so that students continue this extremely important cognitive task that deepens our children’s understanding of the world and enhances many skills such as critical thinking, vocabulary, writing, and more. If your student ever mentions being bored, which happens, tell him/her to read a book. 

• Study Hall – We added Study Halls so that students understood that there is an expectation that they work beyond the classes scheduled. Class periods have been shortened, but it is still important for students to do additional work beyond those classes. It is likely that homework will periodically take students beyond Study Hall time as well. 

• You will note that in addition to regular classes, several student activities continue. This week, Student Council, Leaders in Equity And Diversity, and Lunch Bunches with Mrs. Ginnetti continue.

• All of your student’s core academic classes and arts classes meet regularly. It is our goal and expectation that enriching and challenging academics continue. Our talented, dedicated, and professional Faculty are using multiple platforms and tools to deliver a highly effective curriculum. By now, you may have  heard of Flipgrid, Sreencastify, or other online tools. Teachers are being creative and innovative in their delivery of curriculum while also using the simple platform of a Google Hangout to interface and work with students. Google Classroom has also been extremely helpful. 

• Students are coming together each morning for socialization. While academics continue, we also understand that time to talk, see one another, and further relationships is extremely important. As a school that prioritizes social-emotional learning as well as academics, we are pleased to offer this regular time for students to “catch-up”. We know it’s critical for health and happiness. 

• Class periods are a little shorter – We have found that planning for 40 minutes is working, and Faculty have found this length class to be effective and efficient, especially when the teacher is interfacing with the students for a length of time. Students have homework as they normally would so some time outside of class will be required to complete all assignments and expectations. 

• Ample transition time – When students are home, they need to log off of one class, take a quick break, gather new materials, and then log back on to the next class. Transition periods are generally 10 minutes long. 

• Workshops, Extensions, and/or Catch-Up times are new on the schedules- These times  allow for the extension of learning. While having classes with teachers is the most important component of the schedule, we also know that students need accessibility to their teachers, as would happen in a class when students engage in individual work- hence, the Workshop time. Workshops provide students the opportunity to work on a subject, but the teacher is present and ready to assist online, even though the class isn’t formally being held at that time.  

• Reading Zone – Reading is one of the most, if not the most important activity any child can engage in. We have lengthened Reading Zone so that students continue this extremely important cognitive task that deepens our children’s understanding of the world and enhances many skills such as critical thinking, vocabulary, writing, and more. If your student ever mentions being bored, which happens, tell him/her to read a book. 

• Dismissal at 2:30pm - Although Dismissal is earlier than the regular schedule, students may very likely work beyond the last class. The school day has been shortened slightly, but it is still important for students to do additional work beyond those classes as assigned.

• Establish a Regular Schedule for Your Child - It will be important for your child that you help establish and maintain a routine and structure for their day, beginning with regular daily bedtime and wake up time. Be sure to help your child build in breaks during the virtual school day. Begin and close each day with a brief check-in. Reach out to your child’s teacher if you observe your child struggling. Setting clear expectations will help your child maintain a schedule and stay on top of their schoolwork.

• Create a Study Space for your Child - We recommend that you create a separate, quiet space in your home for your child to study. We recommend that you choose an open area in the family living space (kitchen table, dining room, etc.) to avoid isolating your child and to allow parents/guardians to monitor your child’s learning and screen activity. A room with strong wireless connection will also be important.

• Help Your Student Remove Distractions - Ensure that your child is not distracted by other digital devices or the functions of the Chromebook. If your student should be doing homework, be mindful of what your student is doing. Having Chromebooks at home is new for our 3rd and 4th grade students and Google Hangouts are very interesting and fun….Students can be distracted easily- help them develop and maintain healthy study habits which includes sustained attention to one task at a time without other distractions. 

• Stay in Communication with Your Child’s Teachers - Your child’s teachers and School Leadership will maintain regular communication with you. Reach out to them as needed as well keeping in mind that teachers will need to be in regular email communication with all of their families. Do your best to keep communication succinct and to the point. 

• Encourage and Allow for Productive Struggle - Stay engaged in your child’s learning by asking them questions and having them share their thoughts while encouraging their independence so they can take ownership of their own learning. It’s okay for your child to not have answers to everything immediately, Some productive struggle is essential to learning, so we ask that parents allow their children to grapple with problems and come up with ideas for tackling them. Stepping in too quickly to help solve problems will deprive your child of the opportunity to learn, try new approaches, and gain greater independence and confidence. If your child becomes discouraged and/or overwhelmed by schoolwork, please reach out to your child’s teachers. 

• Encourage Your Child To Maintain Social Contact With Peers - It will be very important for your child to stay in social contact (through virtual means) with their friends and peers during school closure. Encourage your child to interact with friends through phone conversations or Facetime. They can form study groups created by their teachers or informal groups that they develop on their own, but please monitor the frequency and length of these interactions. Social interactions, even through virtual means, will help your child stay connected and feel a part of the School community.

• Encourage Physical Movement - Our physical education teachers have developed online instructions for students. Physical movement and exercise are vital to maintaining physical and mental health, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving concentration and focus for more effective learning and retention. Students can also choose to do their own physical activities-  as spring arrives, there are many opportunities to be outside. 

• Every day, students in PS - 2nd grade will have daily Zoom Meetings at 8:30am with their teachers and other classmates.  This will provide students the opportunity to see their friends, interact live with their teachers and have a morning meeting so that they can remain connected.  Morning meetings may include songs, games, personal shares and mini lessons.  

• PS - 2nd grade students will have the opportunity to participate in Zoom classes with their specials teachers 1x per rotation per special class.

• Students in PS - 2nd grade will have personal weekly “check-ins” from their teachers.  This will be arranged between each family and the teacher. Check-in’s can be in the form of FaceTime calls, Zoom sessions or phone calls.   

• Chromebooks have been ordered for all 2nd grade students.  When they arrive, our technology department will work on setting them up and once they are ready members of our staff will deliver them to your homes. We will share more information with a timeline when available. More information on this will be shared directly with 2nd grade families.

• New daily schedules for each grade level with Zoom meet-ups will be shared with you prior to our return on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

Edwin P. Gordon, PhD

Edwin P. Gordon, PhD

Edwin P. Gordon, PhD

Edwin P. Gordon, PhD