APRIL 16, 2020

• Spring 2020 Information

MARCH 25, 2020

Secondary Faculty and Staff,

I want to begin by recognizing your work over the past two weeks while also fully acknowledging the challenge that lies ahead. We are in this together. 

After the first week of Remote Learning (March 16 – 20) we garnered feedback from faculty, students and parents. Consequently, the CAC administration has put forth what we believe to be a sustainable Extended Remote Learning Strategy that best recreates the classroom in an online format. This updated strategy requires teachers to lead with thoughtfulness, hard work and creativity. We are confident you will be able to excel and help our students do the same. 

In a remote learning environment, it is impossible to hide behind mediocre teaching or busywork. Assignments must have a clear purpose, assessments should encourage concept mastery, and teachers should display a high level of professionalism at all times.

Though CAC is fully aware of current state mandates, we must meet the requirements of our accrediting bodies (ANSAA, NCSA) while providing similar learning experiences as our fellow local private schools. At the end of the day, we are an educational institution whose families pay for our services and expertise.

Again, I have the highest confidence in our ability as a faculty and staff. I know you will lead your classes with the love of the Lord and the same unwavering support as always. These are our kids. They are looking for us to provide comfort, reassurance and a sense of normalcy in a time filled with uncertainty. 

Let’s show up.   

WHILE WE HOPE TO RETURN ON APRIL 17, WE HAVE MADE PLANS THAT WILL CARRY US THROUGH THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS PRESENTED AS THOUGH WE WILL NOT RETURN TO CAMPUS.

PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY

MARCH 31, 2020

Updates:

• TESTING: When scheduling tests during independent study time please ensure tests start no earlier than 1:35pm.When scheduling a test please refer to the testing calendar and add your tests accordingly (click here for access to high school testing, click here to access high school testing schedule) to ensure we do not have multiple tests scheduled for the same grade during the same time on the same day.
• STREAM:  Click here to watch the video.
• POSTING LESSON PLANS: A framework has been provided, however, autonomy is encouraged. Please make the necessary adjustments for your students to succeed. Communication is critical. If lessons are posted daily, let students know. If your test is going to be during independent study time let the students know. (Give date and time of the test, give them the test link, etc.)

REMOTE LEARNING DETAILS

Online Class Schedule

Teacher Expectations

Meaningful Work

Our goal has always been to ensure students master the concepts presented to them. The shift to Remote Learning is not an excuse to create busywork. We are tasked with providing a high-quality education for all of our students, no matter the circumstance. Push yourselves to create interactive, exciting assignments. Allow this situation to challenge your routine and find new ways to present the material you know so well. 

Click Here for the Google Classroom training videos. Mrs. Northen has worked hard to provide us with incredible online teaching resources.

Schedule

• Class Periods: Teachers are required to be present and online for each of their class periods.
• Google Meet: Teachers are required to meet via Google Meet at the beginning of every class period. This can consist of a one-minute check-in, an explanation of the assignment, a full 30-minute lecture or somewhere in between. (Again – interaction is key. Give them an opportunity to see you.) (More on this in the Google Classroom section.)
• Office Hours: All teachers should be available daily for online interaction (answering emails, Google Meets with small groups or individual students, etc) from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. by appointment only. Students will be encouraged to reach out to teachers and set up meeting times via email.
• Prep Periods: Teachers are not required to be accessible during their prep periods.

Students will be highly encouraged to attend (be present on their devices) the class period online as scheduled; however, we cannot guarantee students will always be present online when the class is in session. Thus, it is important to record your Google Meet sessions if they include pertinent information. 

Homework

It is our goal to provide a quality educational experience without students/faculty being on their computers all day. Thus, the timing of your outside of class assignments is key. Please consider the intentionality of your homework, the purpose it serves, and why you assigned it. Also, please garner feedback quickly on the length of time it took students to complete homework so you have a good idea moving forward. It is feasible for students to begin working on assignments in class.

Testing

Our Remote Learning Strategy promotes the quality of assessments over the quantity of assessments. Every assessment should serve as a “mastery of skills” and not to boost a gradebook. Multiple learning opportunities should be provided for students to achieve mastery of the subject matter. 

It is critical we create a learning environment where students feel comfortable, challenged, but not overly stressed. Therefore, reliance on grades should be significantly reduced.

Grades

Middle School

All grades should have a purpose. Students should focus on learning and mastering concepts. Grades must be intentional (the worst thing we can do right now is put a lot of emphasis on grades). If students decide not to complete an assignment that does not have a grade attached, then so be it. If assignments are meaningful they will negatively impact a student if they do not complete it, even if there is no grade.

I cannot stress enough: DO NOT ASSIGN BUSYWORK. Please limit grades tied to completion.

Remember, grades are important in middle school, yet, concept mastery is more important.

High School

All grades should have a purpose. Students should focus on learning and mastering concepts. Grades must be intentional (the worst thing we can do right now is put a lot of emphasis on grades). If students decide not to complete an assignment that does not have a grade attached, then so be it. If assignments are meaningful they will negatively impact a student if they do not complete it, even if there is no grade.

I cannot stress enough: DO NOT ASSIGN BUSYWORK. Please limit grades tied to completion.

Remember, grades are important in high school, yet concept mastery is more important. Grades are tied to an official transcript that affects college opportunities, so we must be extremely intentional in the graded assignments and assessments we provide.

Google Classroom

From this point forward we will utilize Google Classroom as our sole form of teaching and communication (lesson plans, assignments, due dates, updates). Click Here for the training videos. RenWeb will only be used to input grades.

1. Add Administration: Teachers must add Mr. Stewart and Coach Hall to all classroom sections. This encourages accountability and gives us the ability to provide feedback and encouragement.
2. Class Sections: All teachers must set up a Google Classroom per class period (i.e. – Mr. Thomas teaches two sections of Senior English, therefore he would create two separate classrooms).

Lesson Plans

Teachers are not required to post lesson plans on RenWeb. All assignments, due dates and assessments should be uploaded in Google Classroom. This will create a centralized location for students to see what is expected of them. 

Teachers should create online lessons for the next 7 weeks. Again, planning as if we are not returning to campus. (SENIOR TEACHERS AND AP TEACHERS ARE THE EXCEPTIONS.)

A “lesson plan” on Google Classroom will consist of three separate parts:

1. Post Assignments to Google Classroom
Please ensure you include all assignments and assessments through the assignments section on Google Classroom. (Ex. Ch. 10 assignment. Students are to complete Q 1-10 covering progressive nouns.)

2. Set Due Dates
Make sure you assign due dates and times to every assignment and lesson. These will appear on your students’ calendar and increase accountability. I cannot stress enough how important this is.

3. Communicate through Stream on Google Classroom
Utilize the Stream function in Google Classroom to communicate to the group as a whole. (This appears on your Google Classroom homepage as “Share something to your class.” Stream is like a Facebook feed where you will post information to reiterate the assignments and due dates you have already communicated.

Lesson Example:

• First 10 minutes: Teacher lecture in ‘Google Meet’ introducing new grammar concepts.
• Middle 10 minutes: Interactive session (video, pre-recorded, live discussion) discussing new grammar concept examples and how one would utilize such concepts within their writing.
• Final 10 minutes: Allow time to work on the assignment.

Teachers are required to post grades on RenWeb as usual. Please communicate with parents if you are running behind on grades. Administration will be monitoring RenWeb to make sure grades are posted in a timely fashion.

Ensure all graded assignments are clearly marked in your lesson plans so students and parents are aware of assignments that will contribute to their overall class grade.

Communication

Google Classroom will be our main form of communication with students. All class assignments, due dates and changes will be communicated through the Google Classroom. 

• Group Communication: Teachers SHOULD NOT communicate to a group of students via RenWeb Alert or mass email. All announcements should be communicated through the Google Classroom. 
• Individual Communication: Students will email you to ask questions or to set up individual feedback sessions.
• Parent Communication: Utilize your email.

Other Questions