General Program Updates:
Google Sites:
We are implementing Google Sites for each classroom from 4-5s through 8-9s in an effort to keep everything organized and easily accessible. If you have questions regarding Sites, please
email Tiffany
.
Google Classroom:
We are building in time, particularly as the children get older, to provide feedback for the children about their work -- whether that be projects, assignments or an art or science activity. Upper School students and teachers are familiar with the Google Classroom platform and 9-10s students are just beginning to learn how to use this tool.
Teachers are thinking carefully about how best to structure their “office hours” in the week to fit varying needs.
Wellness Team:
Farm:
Starting soon, the Farm will have a Google Site. They have been making videos and we are sure you will enjoy them immensely.
Specialist Classes:
Starting soon, these Lower School classes will also have Google Sites: Art, Computer, Library, Music, Physical Education, Science, Shop and Spanish. Teachers have been working hard to create videos, audios and other projects and these will complement the classroom plans beautifully. In the Upper School, Electives have started and more classes are being added.
An Afterschool Program Message from Chawon:
Thank you to all the families who have been patient with us as we transition to an online version of the Afterschool program. We are excited to announce that a few classes for Afterschool will begin on Monday. Please check your inboxes for an email if you have not done so already. Families will continue to receive notifications regarding each class. If you have any questions, please let Chawon or Christine know.
Final Thoughts:
We recognize that this crisis necessitates a tremendous amount of change for us all. We will need to be generous and flexible as we work through this period together. We rely on your partnership and we are grateful for your support of the dedicated work from teachers and the rest of the staff in these efforts. Many of you have reached out with supportive emails, and the staff is grateful for this. In cases where you may have concerns, we ask that you communicate them with consideration for the hard work that is going into these plans and the enormous stress that everyone is experiencing. We also ask that you recognize that these plans can change over time.
As educators we are thinking about what children need most right now, and that is to feel comforted and loved. They want to know that things are going to be okay and return to normal.
At the end of all of this, children’s physical and mental health will be more important than anything else. The fact that they were supported by their trusted adults will stay with them long after the memory of what they did during this time.
In closing, we are attaching some helpful resources, a quote from Fred Rogers and a few videos, two of which illustrate a sampling of the ingenuity of our staff and the affection we have for you and your children. We hope you enjoy them. We certainly loved watching them and there are more to follow.
We are thinking of you and your children and we miss seeing you at MCS.
Fondly,
Mary, Cynthia and Kerry