Dear Families,
We are moving into the second phase of our Online Learning this week. Last week, our first goal was to get our young students used to using MSTeams, MyChapin; as well as Google Classroom for our third and fourth grades. Our second goal was to have our Chapin community reconnect. MSTeams has allowed us to be connected in "real-time" and that has made all the difference in instruction and connection. The relationships the students have with their peers and teachers are nurtured during their small group classes, individual meetings, and fun homeroom and lunch bunches. Thank you for all your efforts at home that have made MSTeam meetings a success.
Morning Meeting Our goal it continue to have as many of our school traditions continue virtually. One of my favorites is "Morning Meeting." I am already missing the camaraderie of our whole LS community being together, talking about how we can make our world a little bit better.
Although it is not the same, I will post a weekly "Lower School Morning Meeting" video for your child to watch on Wednesday Mornings. Our first one is a special celebration of Mr. Bywater's "You and Me" song that he has turned into a book. It is made EXTRA special by the illustration talents of our VERY OWN Lower School students completed before spring break. You can find the links to the Morning Meeting video and "You and Me" book on your MyChapin grade level's GROUPS page.
MSTeams Over these next days, you will find more small groups and mini-lessons over MSTeams and in videos. We are finding that in-person or video instruction, balanced with individual work, is vital for our students' learning as it supports connection, clarity, and the ability to adjust instruction as we are able.
Chats Managing new technology tools is a big challenge for young students (and our families). ALL of us are certainly tapping into our virtue of perseverance! The students have made excellent progress overall in knowing how and when to use chats. An area that needs some attention are the chats and calls that are coming during learning times. There are so many students who are having individual or small group meetings at different times and a call in the middle of a lesson can be very distracting for the children.
Shared Expectations In an effort to have shared expectations, please know that the school's expectations are that students will use chats and video calls to talk directly with their teachers during instructional time and to participate in community activities such as Lunch Bunch or Homeroom Time. Chats or video calls should not occur before 8:00am or after 7:00pm. However, students also need to have time to just talk with their friends and connect. Our recommendation is that social calls are best had between 3:00-7:00pm, while respecting family time. This technology is new and it is so important for the kids to be able to talk to their friends. We want to help the kids understand HOW to use this tool. Please share your expectations with your child and we will support them with continued guiding conversations from school.
Need to Know There is lots of information that each family is needing to manage. Here are a few important things to know for this week:
Continued healthy wishes for your families. Thank you for ALL that you are doing at home to support your children as they learn how to navigate this new way of doing school. This process continues to be a wonderful example of the amazing partnerships that exist in our Chapin community. We will keep on "Charging" forward. Go, CHARGERS!
Warmly, Shana Lindsey Head of Lower School
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