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!

PLANNING A SAFE RETURN

Though CEE embraced the opportunity to launch a comprehensive remote learning program that met its educational goals, the school remained highly focused on developing plans to bring students back on campus safely as soon as possible.

The Center engaged in reentry planning reflective of its mission and core values, and responsive to scientific and health department guidance as well as state and local guidelines.

Throughout the period of remote instruction during the fall and winter, CEE’s campus was transformed to make it as safe as possible for our community. The school consulted and collaborated with advisory and working committees specifically created to monitor and analyze developments, design plans, and oversee implementation.

Faculty and staff working on campus during the period without students present had the opportunity to acclimate to the changes and provide meaningful feedback so that adults on campus felt confident in the new protocols, systems, and technology before students returned.

Megan Loughman ‘05 and Cassidie Lewis, RN

CEE’s Health and Covid Compliance Team, along with faculty and staff, oversaw safe drop-offs and pick-ups as students returned to campus. Schedules were staggered to allow for physical distancing and ample time for completing required health protocols. In the mornings, staff opened car doors, checked daily medical screening completions, conducted temperature checks, and dispensed hand sanitizer to each student as they arrived at school each day.

A SAFE & HEALTHY CAMPUS

FACE COVERINGS

Face coverings are required for all adults on campus and for students in preschool through sixth grade, and are only removed for meals, snacks, or napping.

HAND WASHING & RESTROOMS

Students are required to wash their hands with soap and water consistently and regularly throughout the day. Handwashing time was built into the new on-campus learning schedules to ensure proper hygiene.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING & DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE

Throughout campus, plexiglass barriers and directional signage was installed to protect students and staff and safely contain the flow of people on campus.

CLASSROOM DESIGN & OUTDOOR SPACES

All classrooms are set up to provide for adequate physical distancing of students and teachers. Classroom furniture is placed with appropriate separation and arranged so that students were staggered, facing the same direction (rather than facing each other).

Student schedules include more time outdoors, including recess and lunch periods, and other classes when possible. The use of outdoor spaces is staggered to promote physical distancing and avoid cohort crossing. Playground equipment is disinfected between uses.

DAILY HEALTH SCREENINGS & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

All individuals entering campus complete a daily screening using the Magnus Health App for Covid-19 related symptoms and exposures, and complete an onsite temperature check upon arrival. Only those receiving a Magnus “GO” and a temperature reading below 100.4°F are permitted on campus.

All families choosing to return to on-campus learning agreed to The Center’s Family Pledge stating: “We pledge, as a family, that we will work diligently to reduce the risk of our family members and student being exposed to Covid-19 by following state and school guidelines for reducing the spread of Covid-19.

CONTACT TRACING

Teachers, staff and students wear a contact tracing device called a “Mini” at all times while on campus. These devices support contact tracing efforts in the event of a Covid-19 exposure. The devices do not track an individual’s movements; rather, they track close contact with other Mini devices while the individual wears them on campus.

CLEANING PRACTICES & AIR FILTRATION

Our cleaning protocols and air filtration systems have been thoroughly reviewed and analyzed by an industrial hygienist. Additionally, the campus air conditioning system brings in as much fresh air as possible and utilizes air filters with a rating of at least MERV 13.

COMING BACK TO CAMPUS!

When envisioning the duration of the school year, we not only aimed to open for students to return to campus safely, but we aspired to remain open without further closures to provide a sense of consistency for the children as they transitioned back into in-person learning. This goal meant the school took a cautious approach while thoroughly developing protocols and planning the timing of its reopening so we had the greatest chance of a successful, sustainable reopening in the context of the public health landscape.

AS SCHEDULES WERE DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED FOR ON-CAMPUS LEARNING, SEVERAL GOALS STAYED CONSTANT:

• Students learning on-campus successive days per week in stable cohorts

• Emphasis on play, social connections, and building community

• Developmentally appropriate, gradual transitions to on-campus learning

In late February, CEE was able to begin welcoming its youngest students (Toddlers through second grade) back to campus on a hybrid schedule, followed by sixth grade on March 8 and third through fifth grades on April 5. By May 10, all grade levels had been invited back to on-campus learning five days a week! Fully remote learning also continued in all grade levels. To ease the transition to on-campus learning, students had the opportunity to participate in short visits to campus prior to returning for a full school day.

The joining of remote and in-person instruction proved an exciting challenge for the school community. Students, parents, and staff alike exhibited a great deal of flexibility over the course of the spring as more kids returned on campus each day. The administration and faculty were constantly adjusting and adapting to new scenarios! In some cases, that meant combining classes/grade levels, changing teacher assignments, shifting arrival and dismissal times, using technology and spaces in new and creative ways, and moving classrooms more than once.

Students and teachers created innovative ways to connect and learn, regardless of space or distance, for a year they will never forget!

More students on campus each day meant using campus spaces creatively. From breakout rooms to indoor/outdoor classes, students learned in all kinds of ways and places this year, including the gym, Community Center, Board Room, and library. Children adapted to new routines, schedules, (individually packaged) lunches, protocols, and cohorts, sometimes pivoting several times. The community made it through together! Laughter and smiles permeated the campus as students, teachers, and parents felt grateful to be at CEE again.