Distance Learning 6-9

• Middle School will follow the usual six-day cycle during distance learning, beginning Tuesday, March 31 (B Day).
• For example, if your child has 5 classes on B Day, they will receive assignments from each of those teachers by 8:30 that morning.
• All assignments, videos, etc. will be posted in teachers' Google Classrooms.
• Students should have about 60 minutes of work to do for each scheduled period. That could include synchronous class time and time for students' independent work.
• Teachers will be online during school hours (Monday-Thursday, 8:10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 8:10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.) and will respond to emails within a reasonable time frame, usually within 3 hours.
• Teachers will be available for study hall each day from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. Some departments will offer extra help at other times during the day.
• Students can expect regular individualized communication with their child’s advisor through a weekly check-in by email and/or phone.
• Parents can expect a weekly check-in from advisors by phone or video chat.
• We remain committed to offering a strong academic experience.
• It is equally important that we retain a sense of community, especially as our students will be spending time away from their school and their peers. Our advisors will be regularly reaching out to check in with their advisees, and we plan to supplement these days with tips on mindfulness, wellness and exercise as well.

Students are expected to attend live meetings/classes and to participate as they would with any class on campus. If your child is sick or unable to attend to their meetings and assignments, please contact his/her advisor. 

We will continue to follow the six-day cycle (letter days A–F), with each teacher connecting with their classes on the days that they would normally meet. As we grow into this experience, we will evaluate the ways that the schedule serves the needs of students and families and will make adjustments as needed.

Asynchronous sessions can include posted assignments or pre-recorded teacher videos. This style of learning will allow students to learn and think at their own pace. All videos and assignments will be made available on Google Classroom.

Synchronous sessions are live sessions using Google Meet. These will include teacher-directed lessons, class discussions, flipped classrooms and opportunities for students to present their work and receive guided review. All synchronous classes will be recorded and made available on Google Classroom.

On average, students should have no more than 60 minutes of work per day for each class that meets that day. That would include teacher-directed learning as well as homework or independent work time.

Advisory groups will meet live using Google Meet at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 2. Each meeting will last approximately 30 minutes. These first group meetings will provide opportunities to check in with each student as we return from break and to set the stage for the experience to come. 

Beginning in Week 2, advisors will host Google Meet sessions twice each week, on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:10 to 8:25 a.m. These will provide opportunities for face-to-face connection and for teachers to provide emotional and academic support.

Students are expected to continue to comply with the Foote School’s Responsible Use Policy, posted below for your reference. Please review it with your child.

Middle School Responsible Use Policy

With the start of distance learning in the Middle School students and families are reminded of the following:

• Students should not use any device or technology to record the voice or image of another in any way that disrupts the educational environment, invades the privacy of others, or without the prior consent of the individual.
• Students should not use any device or technology to copy or capture an image or the content of any class materials (such as tests or exams).
• Students must maintain guidelines and expectations as outlined in the Foote School Handbook for plagiarism, cheating and copyright infringement.

For any and all tech questions please email the Foote School Help Desk (helpdesk@footeschool.org).

Distance learning will require students to spend a portion of each day online. Yet it is important for students to spend time away from their devices. Reading books, completing math problems and writing assignments with paper and pencil, creating artwork, and outdoor physical activity are all encouraged as ways for students to maintain balance. When synchronous learning begins, students are encouraged to preserve the lunch/flex time in the middle of each school day for rest, outdoor time or reflection.

Study hall will take place Monday through Thursday from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. as a time for students to check in with their teachers and LSP teachers. Each subject teacher will be available two days during the first week. Students receiving LSP services can also schedule support through an email sent directly to their LSP teacher.

If you or your child encounter problems with technology during distance learning that your teacher is not able to resolve, please submit a help ticket to  ticket to helpdesk@footeschool.org and our technology staff will try to assist you. Please be patient as we respond to your specific issue.

Students who receive learning support will continue receiving instruction from their Learning Support Teacher during distance learning.

• LSP teachers will reach out on Monday, March 30 with their expectations for contact and to schedule a time to Google Meet during the first week.
• LSP teachers will also be available each day for study hall (2:15-3:15 p.m.) beginning Tuesday, March 31.

• LSP teachers have access to other teachers’ Google Classrooms and will check every day to monitor workload and expectations.

As parents, we hope that you will also be in touch to let us know how things are going with your children, not only as they complete their schoolwork but also as they navigate an unusual time in their lives. We have been working for some time to consider all the ways that we can make this a successful venture for everyone, and I am certain we will do just that if we work together to support these great kids.