Head of School's Blog

Weather Report: Sunday, April 26th

Kim Ridley
Dear Fayerweather Community,

As we embark on the next five weeks of remote learning we are working hard to provide the very best experience for our students under challenging circumstances. I want to emphasize how much I appreciate your patience, your on-going feedback, and words of encouragement and support, as we work to support students, our own children and families.
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 
I want you to know that we are listening to your feedback and we are working to improve our various instructional and engagement practices, while keeping our goals in mind. The Grade Level Team Leaders (Tara, Ami, Aaron, Chrissi, Kate) and I attended a webinar through Leadership & Design that was entitled, “Remote Collaboration.” L & D designs experiences for people who they would describe as "creating the future of teaching and learning.” The webinar was focused on how we can more effectively support the transition to remote learning and working environments, and balance the transition between synchronous (real time) and asynchronous (between in person engagements) work, learning, and engagements.

Starting the week of May 4th, we will be offering a few more synchronous learning opportunities that involve physical movement. Many parents describe feeling overwhelmed by the amount of emailing from teachers. To that end, starting the week of May 4th, we will be using the Bulletin Board function of Blackbaud to strengthen our communication with you. You will be able to use your password to access grade level schedules, assignments, and live meeting times. The Bulletin Boards will be accessible anytime you need to get information without having to look through emails. I will send a reminder along with information about how to access the Bulletin Boards in next week’s Weather Report.

Our last day of academic work will be Friday, May 29th, with school ending officially on June 4th. This will provide time for teachers to gather information, work on modified progress reports, and to reach out to parents with specific recommendations. The first week of June will include project days, and other fun, closure activities that grade level teams will be planning and sharing with you. I will also be reaching out about details regarding graduation, which will take place on Friday, June 4th.

Over the weeks ahead, I, along with other administrators, will be meeting with parents through the parent association coffees and grade level meetings. Please be in touch if there is anything that we can reasonably do to support you. I miss you and look forward to the day when we will meet again.

Best,
Kim
 
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Fayerweather Street School | 765 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 | 617-876-4746
Fayerweather is a private PreK, kindergarten, elementary and middle school. We engage each child’s intellect.