We are trying to keep things as “normal” as possible by maintaining the St. John’s approach to teaching and learning, but in a new format. However, we recognize that much of the amazing work that happens at the Early Childhood level of St. John's prizes the social, personal, and emotional regulation that happens through the human connectedness of our small classes and teacher relationships. As such, the Early Childhood Division seeks to provide the appropriate amount of "remote" learning materials for our youngest students, with helpful resources to our ECC parents and caregivers who will most likely be guiding our students' growth over this period.  

Below, please consider the following guidance for students and parents in the Early Childhood Division during this new experience for us all:

Helpful Guidance

• Stay consistent. Work with your family to create a schedule that can be followed as best as possible. Besides a normal sleep schedule, be sure to build in time for snacks, lunches, and nap/quiet time.

• Stay balanced. We want to be mindful that balance is important.  While we are providing resources and activities, please be sure to add some family time into your schedule to bake, play a game, or take a walk together. We are being given the permission to slow down, so let’s take advantage of a more open schedule and enjoy each other.

• Stay active. While teachers may be sharing some fun large motor activities, we encourage you to find other ways to be active. Maybe a jog or bike ride around the neighborhood, partake in a family dance party, or try out one of the many free online yoga classes available at this time.

• Stay connected. Remain in contact with your teacher, administrator, school friends, and family. In this time of social distancing, find different ways to keep communication strong within our community to show that while we can’t be together, we are still in this together.

We are trying to keep things as “normal” as possible by maintaining the St. John’s approach to teaching and learning, but in a new format. As such, we have opportunities for structure combined with the personal touch. Students will still have homework and there will be assessments, although the formats may look different than what we have been doing in classes and they will likely evolve over time.

Below, please consider the following guidance for students and parents in the Elementary Division during this new experience for us all:

Teaching & Learning

Create a private, at-home learning space for your student, and use it regularly. Students will be interacting with teachers and each other in live chat classrooms, and the space should be conducive to limiting noise or distraction so that students may be fully engaged.  

Please ensure that your child has all necessary school materials for their online classes and continued work. Keeping these in the same location will help support their organization.

Provide a folder for any completed written work.

For younger students, guide them to assist with any technology needs (as available and appropriate). Once routines are established and continue to evolve to meet students' needs, we hope that children will become more comfortable with their "new classroom."

Communication

Read the frequent email communications from the Elementary Division principal and your child's classroom teachers– their guidance is important, and will ensure a continuity of learning for your child to meet St. John's goals.  

Refer to the Gateway for access to resources and classroom lessons.

Make use of and encourage your child to speak with their teachers during live, online Office Hours via Microsoft Teams. Seeing the teachers' faces, including Enrichment teachers, and hearing their voices will provide familiarity, encouragement, and support for the children.

Balance

While much class interaction will be available in synchronous or asynchronous videos online, be careful to manage a healthy balance of screen time for our students. When in doubt, get some fresh air and exercise! Have fun with your children often, and recognize that the challenges we are all experiencing with this new reality may also come with opportunities to better connect to parents, siblings, and family.  

We are trying to keep things as “normal” as possible by maintaining the St. John’s approach to teaching and learning, but in a new format. As such, we have lots of structure combined with the personal touch. Students will still have homework and there will be assessments, although the formats may look different than what we have been doing in classes and they will likely evolve over time.

Our remote learning program will be a combination of asynchronous and synchronous learning experiences. As such, there are some new terms that we will be employing:

Asynchronous Learning: Class interactions happen via Microsoft Office 365 Suite, but primarily through the Microsoft Teams, OneNote, and Amplify Science platforms where students can access information, demonstrate what they've learned, and communicate with classmates and teachers in their own time. Students are now familiar with this important tool that will be the foundation of the remote learning program.

Synchronous Learning: “Live” learning in real time, which necessitates attendance at scheduled times and allows for immediate interaction and feedback between the teacher and the students. During synchronous learning experiences, students will virtually attend class together via Microsoft Teams and participate through live interactions and on the chat and post features.

Screencast: A digital video recording of your computer screen, usually including audio narration. Screencasts are a form of instructional video. Teachers will be primarily using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Screecast-o-matic for screencasting.

Video Conference: A virtual meeting in which participants in different locations are able to communicate with each other with audio and video. We will use Microsoft Teams for this function.

The Remote Learning Experience

• Students will be doing schoolwork for a minimum of 3-4 hours each school day.
• A provisional e-learning schedule has been emailed to parents and students.
• Each core class (Math, English, Science, History, and Foreign Language/Resource), will have elements of synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
• Religion class and performing arts classes will be offered synchronously and asynchronously one time per week.
• Synchronous Office Hours will be offered by teachers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2:15 – 3:00 PM.
• There will be synchronous advisory check-ins at the beginning and end of each day (7:45 AM and 2:05 PM).
• Assignments and assessments will be modified for the remote learning environment and will primarily be delivered asynchronously.
• The Gateway will continue to be the main point of contact for all class assignments and due dates with additional communication through Microsoft Teams.
• Email will be the primary method of communication from the School.

Expectations for Students

• Check school email 2-3 times a day minimum.
• Know how to log into Microsoft Teams and use Teams Meet Now for synchronous meetings.
• Attend all synchronous class and advisory check-ins and follow meeting etiquette set by the teacher.
• Use available Office Hours or reach out directly to teachers via email or chat/posts with questions.
• Complete all asynchronous assignments by the due date.
• Spend a minimum of 3-4 hours every day on schoolwork.
• Comply with specific academic integrity for any assessments. Teachers will be very specific about what is allowed on any given assessment or project.
• Within the remote learning environment, school rules, especially behavior, continue to apply during the school day. See section below regarding expectations for student conduct.
• Posting expectations for students:
  • Do think before you post.
  • Do remember that it is harder to tell when something is a joke online. Use humor sparingly.
  • Don’t reply to the same people each time. Try to bring in other voices.
  • Don’t get personal. Focus your criticism on ideas and arguments, not on your classmates.
  • Don’t bring the outside in. No inside jokes, references to people who aren’t in the conversation, or comments you wouldn’t say face-to-face.
  • Don’t spam or write frequent messages that simply take up space

Expectations for Student Conduct

With the transition to remote learning and online courses, the common expectations defined in the Parent and Student Handbook remain in effect. It is important that students understand that our expectations around respect to community members remain in an online environment. It is also important that students do not use the photographic or video capacity of a cell phone, laptop or any other device in an inappropriate or degrading manner. Such conduct will result in the most serious disciplinary consequences and we implore students to bring their best selves to this environment.

Although dress code will not be adhered to in this remote environment, students are encouraged to dress modestly and appropriately during synchronous learning sessions.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to speak with their student about the common expectations of online interactions within our community and remind them that they remain accountable to these standards.

Guidance for Parents

• Establish daily routines for students including regular school and sleep hours, as well as times for breaks, meals and physical activity. Routines are easier to establish at the beginning of the transition to remote learning than later.
• Define a quiet, organized physical space for students to study and participate in synchronous class and advisory meetings.
• Discuss behavioral expectations with students about the remote learning program. See section below regarding expectations for student conduct.
• Monitor communications from the school to help support students in their remote learning experience.
• Begin and end each day with a simple check-in to monitor student progress and identify any challenges early.
• Encourage students to take ownership of their remote learning experience while being available to support them.
• Encourage physical activity and exercise. Students should not be sitting at a desk or computer for hours at a time. Ensure physical activity and exercise are part of a student’s daily routine. The P.E. Department will be providing activities for students.
• Monitor student stress and worry, both about the transition to remote learning and the reason school is closed. Reach out to the school with any concerns.
• Encourage social interaction while respecting social distancing guidance from national, state, and local health agencies. Social media use will be a common way for students to connect and should be monitored in terms of overall screen time.
• If problems arise, as always, encourage your student to first reach out to the teacher and advisor. Teachers and advisors will be communicating questions and concerns to the school administration.

Attendance

Attendance is recommended for all synchronous class and advisory meetings. Teachers will not be taking attendance and you will not be penalized for "missing" a class. Of course, we strongly recommend that you go to the relevant class team at the appropriate time and participate in the class, but it is not required, and you will be able to access the video recording after the fact for most classes.

Advisory

Advisors will facilitate short synchronous advisory check-in meetings at the beginning of each day (7:45 a.m.) and at the end of each day (2:05 p.m.). This interaction will be an essential component of social connection, community building and check-in for students.

Balance and Wellness

Stay consistent: Work with your family to create a schedule that can be followed as best as possible. Besides a normal sleep schedule, be sure to build in breaks for snacks and lunches and some unstructured down time.

Stay balanced: While we are providing the best e-learning platform we can, we also want to be mindful that balance is important. Add some family time into your schedule to bake, play a game, or take a walk together. We are being given the permission to slow down, so let’s take advantage of a more open schedule and enjoy each other.

Stay active: While the P.E. Department will be providing videos and recommendations, we encourage you to find other ways to be active. Maybe a jog around the neighborhood, family dance party, or one of the many free online yoga classes available at this time.

Stay connected: Remain in contact with your teacher, advisor, administrator, school friends and family. In this time of social distancing, find different ways to keep communication strong within your community to show that while we can’t be together, we are still in this together

Communication with Parents

The Middle Division Principal will communicate with parents and students at least once a week with an update. Parents are encouraged to read these updates to help support their students. Teachers will communicate with parents as needed/appropriate.

Equity and Inclusion

We are planning purposefully for the diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds during this time. In this remote learning environment, equity in action means incorporating two important and co-existing approaches: (1) start with clear and consistent baseline expectations, then (2) adapt and adjust those expectations accordingly and compassionately for your needs as they arise. We are planning purposefully for the diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, and student and parent responsibilities that make our community so wonderful. In order to meet your needs, including technology needs, we will all need to engage with each other openly, honestly, and flexibly. If you have important needs to share or have questions about this, be sure to reach out to your Division Principal, Advisor, or Director of Technology (Mrs. Suzy Hardy at shardy@stjohns-es.org).

The Gateway and Achieve

Parents will continue to have access to student assignments (Gateway) and periodic grade reports (Achieve). Parents are encouraged to make a family decision as to whether they should more closely monitor specific course content and assignments on Gateway than they ordinarily would.

Learning Resource Programs

The Learning Resource Program has a plan in place for continued educational support. Sessions will continue and will be taking place remotely and synchronously. Mrs. Alston will continue to be the contact person for this program and she can reached at salston@stjohns-es.org. Mrs. Diamond will provide support for International Students and she can be reached at ydiamond@stjohns-es.org.

Office Hours

Teachers will be accessible to their students three times each week via drop-in video conference on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.). Students may also schedule specific meeting times with teachers for academic assistance. For the protection of both students and teachers, there will need to be at least two students in an office hour live video conference at a time.

Translation? 翻译?

For community members who may be more comfortable reading in a different language, we recommend copying and pasting this text in the Google Translate tool at https://translate.google.com/