Return to School 2020-21

Creating a flexible schedule that can easily transition to hybrid or distance learning.

Creating cohorts, with each cohort having enough space to allow for appropriate physical distance. Recognizing that the youngest children will have the most difficulty with physical distancing and masking, cohorts for grades pre-K to 2 will have between 8-12 students; cohorts for grades 3-5 will have 13-16 students. Specials teachers will travel to each cohort. 

1:1 tablets for students in grades pre-K to 2; 1:1 Chromebooks for students in grades 3-5.

Teachers are participating in various professional development opportunities such as Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2, Global Online Academy for Lower School and several online learning platforms. More specifically this professional development will include: curriculum planning, online assessment, building community, facilities planning as well as developing an anti-racist and anti-bias teaching curriculum.

Creating a flexible schedule that can pivot between in-person, hybrid and distance learning models while providing consistent routine and predictability for students and teachers.

We will likely open the year with a schedule that contains four academic blocks per day and one cocurricular block (arts, advisory, specialist/elective classes). For the in-person model, we expect the blocks will be longer (55-60 minutes) so that teachers and students can more readily engage in interactive and/or project-based learning. If we shift to the distance learning model, we will make the blocks shorter (35-40 min.).

We will likely create cohorts of 12-14 students for both in-person, hybrid and distance learning models. These cohorts will enable us to safely distance and limit contact during in-person school and will also keep our class sizes small if we pivot to distance learning.

We are purchasing assistive technology like high-quality cameras and microphones in our classrooms so that students can engage in our academic program from a distance.

Developing plans for continued delivery of Upper School programming, including academics, arts, athletics and extracurricular activities in the safest manner possible while also recognizing that some activities must be altered to reduce risk.

Developing models for a new daily schedule that offers consistency and makes time for community-building, anti-racism and anti-sexism work, wellness and reflection.

We hope that we can bring all Upper School students on campus, but this may not be feasible due to the need for physical distancing. Plans for hybrid learning experiences (some students learning on campus, some students learning at home, on an alternating schedule) are in development.

Exploring new orientation and beginning-of-school programming to manage re-entry after this extended period away from community.