Dear Students and Parents,
I hope everyone was able to enjoy Spring Break under these strange and weird conditions. While we are all making changes to our habits and lifestyles, I hope it will be refreshing to continue learning and re-visiting with friends and teachers through our Distance Learning Program.
The purpose of this letter is to clarify and explain what to expect while Distance Learning takes place in the Middle School:
1. School hours and class schedules will continue to follow the Planner. Our first day of class will be this Wednesday, March 25, which will be a "G" Day. Since we have late-start Wednesday, the first class will be Period 3 starting at 8:55 a.m.
2. Although Wednesdays typically have a late start, we will have a special advisory meeting this Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. in order to welcome everyone back from Spring Break. A conference will be created by your advisor inside your advisory's Schoology Group. Here is how to join an advisory group in Schoology:
a. Go to "Groups," "My Groups," and click "Advisory: (19-20)" b. In the pane on the left side, click "Conferences" c. The picture below shows what you should see d. Click the button "Start Conference" and you will be in the conference along with your advisor and fellow advisees 3. Attendance will continue as usual. It will be taken every class period and submitted to the Deans. If anyone will be absent from class, please notify the School.
4. Students who have a scheduled Study Hall are encouraged to use this time to work on assignments (although a parent might have other plans for the student at this time). Students scheduled for Study Hall the first period of the day may skip Advisory and sleep later…but don't be late for Period 2!
5. Zero Hour will continue to be available and here is how you access it: Click "Groups," click "My Groups," click "Bartram Student Activities," then click "Conferences" on the left side menu. Look through the list and click the name of the teacher to visit for Zero Hour. This will allow you to join their conference and ask questions.
6. The School uniform throughout our Distance Learning Program will be Spirit Day dress. We want everyone out of bed and dressed for success!
7. Parents and students can arrange telephone appointments with their advisors, Mrs. Plant and Mrs. Moriarty by clicking this link: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/TheBollesSchool@bolles.org/bookings/ The instructions should be pretty easy to follow. This appointment system will not allow someone to book a time that has already been booked by someone else, so once you book it, you got it.
Distance Learning will be different than traditional learning, allowing teachers to run a variety of different classes. Some will last the whole period and others only half a period. Others will ask students to work during class on their own, knowing the teacher is available through Schoology for the duration of the class period. I have asked the teachers to explore different styles in an effort to maximize student engagement and to expand teaching practices.
We have been accessing many resources to make our Distance Learning Program the best it can be. Some common themes from these resources include classes must be diverse, students need to move and exercise, and parents and teachers need to work in partnership. While I feel good about the plan we've put in place, I fully expect the needs of the students, teachers and parents to guide us in different directions. So, please keep in touch and share your successes, difficulties and surprises.
Best wishes, Jonathan Keen Head of Middle School, Bartram Campus The Bolles School utilizes "global emails" to communicate with parents and alumni. To streamline communications, these emails are sent on Tuesdays only, except in urgent cases.
To unsubscribe, please click the link at the bottom of the email. Parents: To update your information, please email pickrend@bolles.org. Alumni: To update your information, please email framptonj@bolles.org. |