Distance Learning GuideUpdated March 24, 2020

Table of Contents

3 Note from Head of School

4 What is Distance Learning?

5 What Materials Are Needed?

6-16 Lower School

17-24 Middle and Upper School

25 Resources

26-27 Suggestions for Success

28 Important Links

29 Questions and Assistance

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Dear Parents and Students,

We have put together this guide as a resource to assist you in preparing for what to expect when school is held virtually rather than on our campus. Our faculty are ready to continue engaging students in learning just as they would face to face.

In this time when we cannot gather in one place, let us be creative in finding ways to maintain our community. If you have questions about this guide or any aspect of distance learning, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Cobb AtkinsonHead of School

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What Is Distance Learning?

Distance learning is a way of participating in a class in your own space rather than physically sitting in a classroom. Students learn the same content they would in a face-to-face class meeting, but different tools and modes of instruction may be used.

Often, teachers and students use computers, tablets or other web-enabled devices to provide instruction, connect with one another, and share assignments. Communication takes place through email, webpages, discussion boards, video, or shared documents. Assignments are turned in and feedback is given electronically.

Distance learning classes can take place either with all participants online interacting at the same time (synchronous) or with participants engaging with the course materials at different times (asynchronous).

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What Materials Are Needed?● Students need access to a computer, tablet or other device that

is connected to the internet and has a camera feature. Middle and Upper School students should use their school-issued Chromebooks. Parents of Lower School students who do not have a device at home should contact Blair Hawley, Head of Lower School, for assistance.

● Lower School students also need the materials sent home in the bags from teachers. All other materials will be delivered digitally.

● Middle and Upper School students need their books and other materials provided by teachers digitally.

● Occasionally, students may need common items you could find at home, such as paper, pencil, scissors, or crayons.

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Lower SchoolInstructions for Pre-K through 5th grade

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Note for Lower School:We are about to embark on a new journey together called “Distance Learning.” Before we set sail, I want to provide you with a few tools to set you and your family up for success.

We understand that there are many different family dynamics at play in these times of social isolation, so we ask that you stay in communication with your child’s teachers and let them know how things are going. We will all offer some flexibility in these times of uncertainty.

Blair HawleyHead of Lower School

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Lower School ExpectationsWhere do I find what my child is supposed to do?

● Teachers will email and post on PowerSchool expectations for daily assignments. Due dates for assignments will be found on the class calendar on PowerSchool.

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Lower School ExpectationsWill there be any live virtual sessions for my child’s class?

● At this time, only the fifth grade is planning to have some “live” online sessions with the teachers using Google Meet. These will be scheduled ahead of time within regular school hours, and the expectation is for students to be present for these teaching sessions.

● Academic support teachers will have some live sessions with students too. Mrs. Lisa Meyer-Braun and Ms. Addie Jackson will coordinate with parents for academic support sessions with their students.

● Lower School Counselor Mrs. Pat Sams is also available to talk with students and support parents as needed.

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Lower School ExpectationsWill my child be using a computer all day?

● There will be an appropriate balance of activities for students to complete. In the early grades, most assignments will be completed offline, but will be turned in electronically.

How much time should my child be spending on school each day?

● The time expectations for Pre-K through 5th grade are outlined on the next page. These amounts align with the requirements for virtual learning set forth by SAIS, our accrediting agency. This may seem less than a normal school day, but we know families are balancing numerous factors to manage schooling from home.

● There will not be any additional homework assigned other than independent reading expectations.

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Lower School ClassesGrade Level Daily Time Expectation for

Language Arts and MathWeekly Time Expectation for Science and Social Studies

Pre-K 45 minutes 30 minutes

Kindergarten 45 minutes - 1 hour 45 minutes

First Grade 1 hour 30 minutes 1 hour

Second Grade 2 hours 1 hour 30 minutes

Third Grade 2 hours 1 hour 30 minutes

Fourth Grade 2 hours 1 hour 30 minutes

Fifth Grade 2 hours - 2 hours 30 minutes 2 hours

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Lower School Classes

Activities that are not time-bound for all age-levels:

● Daily reading (student independent reading or parent reading to child)

● Physical fitness and wellness (Goal is to have 30-60 minutes of activity daily)

● Family enrichment opportunities in the following disciplines: art, music, Spanish, Mandarin, technology, library, science lab, and social-emotional learning.

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Lower School Enrichment

We hope as time allows, you will utilize the suggestions to be posted on PowerSchool from our enrichment teachers on engaging activities you can do as a family to offer a well-rounded day for your child. It’s important your child has time for recreational activities, both indoor and outdoor throughout the day.

Your child’s social and emotional development can be encouraged through mindfulness activities, board games with family members, and finding virtual ways to connect with relatives and friends.

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Lower School Assignments

How will my child turn in assignments?

● Many teachers will be using the Seesaw application for assignments. Seesaw is a child-friendly learning platform that allows teachers to post assignments. It allows students to complete age-appropriate assignments offline and online, and then turn them in for feedback from their teacher.

● In the bag of materials you picked up from school, you should find a paper that explains how to access the Seesaw application. Each child has his/her own unique QR code to access the class Seesaw page. Seesaw will work on any device that is connected to the internet and has a built-in camera.

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Directions for SeesawHow do we access Seesaw?

1. Go to https://app.seesaw.me on a computer, or install the Seesaw Class App on an iOS or Android device.

2. Choose “I’m a student.”

3. Scan the QR code or type in the unique letter code listed on the sheet provided to you in your child’s bag of materials.

4. Once signed in, your child will be able to access announcements and activities his/her teacher has posted. Some assignments can be done digitally through the Seesaw app. Others will require the student to do something offline, take a photo of the finished product using the Seesaw app, and share it with the teacher. All student work will be stored in your child’s Seesaw Journal.

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Directions for SeesawHow will my child complete assignments in Seesaw?

● Please refer to the Seesaw Directions for an explanation of completing and submitting assignments.

● The following instructional videos from Mrs. Deb Tuggle, Lower School Technology teacher, also explain how to use the application:

○ Login to Seesaw○ Seesaw DrawTextRecord○ Seesaw Worksheet

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Middle and Upper SchoolInstructions for 6th grade through 12th grade

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Note for Middle/Upper:

Your teachers and staff members at Westchester remain committed to supporting you and delivering the very best instruction possible. This includes facilitating classes through distance learning.

Please read over the information that follows to better understand how this process will work. Faculty and students will be learning as we go. We are starting with a solid plan, but as we navigate this together, we will be responsive to our students’ needs and refine our procedures if needed along the way.

Dr. Mark Braun Mrs. Mary KeeverHead of Upper School Head of Middle School

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Middle/Upper School Expectations

When will teachers share the plans for each week?

● Teachers will post each week’s plans, including any live virtual sessions on their PowerSchool homepage by 3:00 p.m. on the Sunday prior so students can plan ahead and prepare to participate. Live virtual sessions are class meetings in which students will participate in real time through video conferencing or by posting on a discussion board or collaborating on a shared document. Attendance will be expected at these times especially.

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Middle/Upper School ExpectationsHow will classes work during Distance Learning?

● Some class times will involve a live virtual session (synchronous). Students and teachers will be interacting and engaging with the material at the same time together. These sessions will use the app Google Meet for video conferencing.

● Other class sessions will be asynchronous. Students will work on assignments on their own. We recommend doing so during the scheduled class time when teachers will be readily available to assist by email, shared document, Google Chat, or Google Meet.

● Learning support with our academic support team will occur virtually. Ms. Sara Britt Grein will send information to students engaged with learning support. Our counselor, Mrs. Heather Singer, is also available to talk with students and support parents.

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Middle/Upper School Expectations

What will the class schedule be?

● To add structure and organization to the school day, Middle and Upper School classes will follow the Distance Learning Class Schedule.

● Students are encouraged to complete their work during the scheduled class time, as these are the times teachers will be available to assist students with questions and asynchronous work for their classes.

● Also, any live virtual sessions will be scheduled in keeping with these class times.

View the Daily Class Schedule Here

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Middle/Upper School ExpectationsHow will attendance be counted?

● Teachers will assess attendance at the beginning of class time each day based on student participation and engagement. Students who have completed the assigned activities prior to the class time will be marked "present" for the day. Students are also expected to be present for all live virtual sessions, which will be announced for the week on Sundays. Parents should let the teacher and Mrs. Jackie Argo know if a student will not be present.

When will assignments be due?

● Generally, assignments are expected to be completed by the start of the scheduled class time each day unless otherwise announced by the teacher. Check PowerSchool carefully for assignments and instructions.

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Middle/Upper School Expectations

How much work can be expected for each class?

● Classwork assignment durations should comply with our normal limits and expectations.

● Assignments, assessments, and grading will be done electronically using PowerSchool or through Google Docs.

● Teachers may use Go Guardian to monitor students during their class time.

● Code of conduct expectations are still in place during distance learning. Chromebooks and their features should only be used for school purposes.

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Middle/Upper School Expectations

How do you join a Google Meet for a class that is meeting for a live virtual session?

● Please refer to the Google Meet Directions for an explanation of how to join.

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ResourcesPre-K through 12 Tips and Tools

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Suggestions for Success

● Set aside a study space that promotes learning and is distraction free.

● Establish routines and make a schedule to add structure to the day.

● Check email regularly and stay on top of information from teachers. Parents may need to help students monitor and organize emails, calendar invites, and PowerSchool updates.

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Suggestions for Success

● Talk as a family about how school is going, what students are learning, and how they feel about this new model.

● Schedule activity and exercise each day. This is essential for both physical and mental health.

● Watch for signs that a student may be stressed or worried and provide reassurance. Our school counselors and academic support team will continue to be available to discuss your concerns.

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Important Links● PowerSchool

● Google Meet○ Google Meet Directions

● Seesaw○ Seesaw Directions○ Login to Seesaw○ Seesaw DrawTextRecord○ Seesaw Worksheet

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● Middle/Upper Distance Learning Class Schedule

Questions and Assistance

● Email faculty members directly with questions about assignments or accessing materials needed to complete classwork.

● Email your student’s teacher and Mrs. Jackie Argo if a student will not be present for a live virtual session or will be unable to complete assignments for a particular day.

● If you are experiencing issues with a Chromebook or other technology challenges, contact Mr. Terry Andrews.

● If you need assistance with logging in to PowerSchool, contact Mrs. Dawn Frank.

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