FROM REMOTE TO REENTRY:
ADVENTURES IN LEARNING 2020-21 Following the rapid pivot to remote learning in March 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 crisis, the school devoted much of its resources over the summer of 2020 to expanding its remote learning program while preparing for the eventual return of students to campus. The school year began in August in a fully remote model. While teaching students remotely, faculty found countless new ways to support student growth and development. Teachers and staff worked incredibly hard to create and deliver a robust remote learning curriculum that provided experiential learning, connection, and support to students and families during the pandemic.
COMMON GOALS FOR REMOTE LEARNING • Being developmentally appropriate for the range of children in any given class • Providing skill-building activities in all subject areas • Understanding the range of students’ home experiences and environments • Having an awareness of students’ total screen time • Working to provide a range of non-screen based activities • Providing breadth to students’ remote learning days so that they include ample specialist class learning times • Creating student social connection time both with classmates and with the broader school community In the fall, Early Childhood classes explored weekly topics through video lessons and projects, Zoom community time both in large and small groups, and follow-up activities at home. Specialists in PE, Library, and Music also offered live Zoom classes throughout the week. Kindergarten and Elementary students enjoyed daily class meetings, synchronous Zoom core subject and specialist lessons, and lots of choices for at-home activities. Students also enjoyed weekly 1:1 check-in times with their teachers. Sixth graders started each day meeting in their Advisory groups. Weekly Morning Assemblies were held on Zoom all year long. Many of the well-loved elements of CEE’s regular Assemblies remained in place: celebrating student birthdays, sharing student projects, and participating in a school-wide meditation also known as “Ringing the Bowl”. Each assembly concluded with a short video of longtime Receptionist Bette Feldman playing the chimes that signal “it is time to Zoom on” to class!
