Dear Lower School Families Enrolled in the Virtual Program,
We write today in anticipation of the semester change on January 26, 2021. It has been a true gift to be able to offer a distance learning experience to your children for the first semester, while still operating an on-campus program to other D-E families and children. That said, we recognize families might be considering options for individual children as we approach the second semester of programming for the 2020-2021 school year.
On-campus learning follows the same scope and sequence as virtual learning. Classes follow the same curriculum, and all teachers – on campus and virtual – meet frequently to plan and ensure equitable experiences for students in both programs. The routines for the day pay close attention to health and safety. Students are required to wear masks throughout the day, with the exception of snack and lunch. Close attention is paid to hand-washing and social distancing throughout the day. We do adhere to weekly COVID testing for LS children in all grades spanning Preschool 3 through Grade 5 and are happy to share more details about that process. All measures are taken to keep the full community of students, faculty, staff and families safe.
If you are considering a change from a fully virtual learning experience to the on-campus program, please indicate that choice by completing the survey. Here is the link for the survey We ask that the survey be completed by Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Please note this is not yet a commitment to switching programs but rather is an assessment of family needs at this particular time. Should you want your child to switch, please note classroom spaces are arranged to allow each individual to maintain a six-foot bubble at all times. With the help of our facilities team, we will evaluate classroom spaces and family requests before we officially offer an on-campus spot. Should we be able to facilitate that switch, we will follow up individually to ensure a successful transition. If you would like to have your child remain in the virtual program from January 26 through June 11, 2021, please complete the survey as well.
Thank you,
Kim Lewis, Susan Abramson, and Julia Calantone
An IMPORTANT Note about HYBRID Learning:
You may have heard other LS families describe Hybrid learning. Please note there is not an option for hybrid learning. Hybrid learning is distinct from the virtual program. Hybrid is a short-term solution for on-campus students when circumstances require the student to stay home for health and safety reasons. Hybrid learning does not provide the full experience of either on-campus or a fully virtual program and is meant to be used sparingly and only when necessary.
