During these past four weeks it has felt like time has moved as slowly as a turtle trying to cross a busy street. Yet, here we are approaching week five of remote learning. I am meeting with teams of leaders across the school to work out how we transfer some of our most prized activities into virtual spaces. I particularly appreciate the efforts of the Advancement Team, which includes Ann, Karina, Andrew, Sarah T., and Maxie, as well as the creativity of the specialists and extended day staff in strengthening our connection with students. Needless to say, our remote engagement is no substitute for face to face connection, yet we are all making the best of a challenging situation. I appreciate all of your supportive words, encouragement, feedback, and suggestions.
We have already reimagined the Variety Show, Biographies, and the Annual Regatta, and we are continuing to work on contingency planning regarding other activities like Graduation and Project Days, just to name a few. Spring Break will start at the end of the day on Friday, April 17th through Friday, April 24th. Teachers will be taking a break from email during this time to rest and renew so they can re-enter with energy and enthusiasm on Monday, April 27th. I hope you all will also have time to take a breath and step back from the schedules of school. Please be in touch with me regarding urgent personal matters, as I will be checking email off and on throughout the week of Spring Break.
The School Leadership Team and Fayerweather’s Board of Directors are continuing to assess next steps in determining how our school program will move forward. This planning also includes reviewing our current virtual learning tools and programs, and determining professional development that can better support online and remote learning as we approach the 20-21 school year. We will also be thinking about how to continue utilizing assessments to help us better determine supports students will need (e.g., academic, social-emotional) when they return to school. The following goals will continue to guide our work as we grow our understanding of best practices in virtual learning:
Engaging with, as well as connecting students
Establishing clear schedules, routines, and expectations
Focusing on quality over quantity in our instruction, lessons, assigned work, and one to one engagements
Today, we are sharing a draft school calendar. The purpose of sharing this draft calendar is to focus your attention on the most important dates related to school, such as opening, closings, professional days, parent conferences etc. I emphasize the word draft as there is so much more information that needs to be included in the school calendar. We will be sending the calendar in its entirety when we send the August communication.
I am also reaching out with ashort surveyto check in on how you are doing with remote learning. We are also thinking about a way to provide, to whatever extent is possible, supplies that you may need such as paper, writing and coloring utensils, etc. If there are specific supplies that you need please email Sarah Tahang-Bianco by Friday, April 17th. We will be communicating how we will provide supplies to parents.
Please take good care of yourselves and your families. I will leave you with one of my favorite poems that helps me to stay in the present, as it reminds me that this pandemic, too, shall pass.