Academic Program

We have reimagined our program and learning spaces create a comprehensive and inspiring academic program, while at the same time taking significant steps to mitigate health risks. 

We recognize that conditions can change quickly and that everything depends upon the public health situation. We have therefore developed contingency plans that are flexible and student-centered.

In This section

1. Guiding Principles
2. Learning Cohorts
3. School hours
4. Schedule
5. PE & Recess
6. Learning Support Program
7. Technology
8. After School Program

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Guiding Principles

Social-emotional wellbeing: The social-emotional development of children is best served through being in community with one another. We know that personal contact has numerous benefits for the development and wellbeing of children. Together children learn how to collaborate, discuss, share, problem solve, question and resolve conflict.

In-person learning: Our on-campus program was designed as a blend of in-person and live, remote instruction in order to continue to offer a full range of experiences and development of skills and content. In-person experiences are dedicated to those things that are best suited for this setting, including discussion, debate and collaboration.

Interdisciplinary curriculum: Even in this new learning environment, students benefit from Foote's interdisciplinary curriculum by engaging in projects that combine writing, the arts, social studies and more in creative and exciting ways. Each stable cohort has an interdisciplinary teaching team working with the students in person and collaborating to deliver the most authentic curriculum possible.

Academic rigor: The faculty's commitment to knowing each individual student, and expertise with their subject matter, helps ensure that our program continues to be rich and rigorous. The Middle School schedule has been modified to support differentiation and leveled instruction with a combination of both 90- and 45-minute blocks.

Health and safety: We view the changes required by this pandemic as an opportunity to learn together about how to take care of ourselves and our community, and to keep one another safe. Teachers spend ample time reinforcing good habits for hygiene, mask wearing and physical distancing in order to lessen anxiety and create happy, productive classrooms.

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Learning Cohorts

To reduce the number of students in each classroom—and create as safe an environment as possible—students are grouped in stable cohorts.

• A stable cohort is when students remain together, and different adult teachers move between classrooms in that grade.
• Grades K–5: Each class is no larger than 12 students. Together, the classrooms in each grade form a stable cohort. Homeroom teachers do not move between classes. In Kindergarten, only the specials teacher assigned to that grade move between classes. In Grades 1–5, the associate teachers and assigned specials teachers move between classrooms to teach in-person.
• Grades 6–9: Cohorts are no larger than 11 students. Each grade has been assigned an interdisciplinary team of teachers, including one specials teacher, who teach in person.
• Learning in stable cohorts reduces the need to quarantine large numbers of individuals in the event of a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.
   

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School Hours

• Staggered arrival begins at 7:45 a.m., Monday through Thursday.
• Staggered dismissal begins at 2:55 p.m.
• There is no early drop-off or After School Program at this time.
   

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Schedule

• In-person learning takes place four days a week, Monday to Thursday.
• Fridays are reserved for remote learning; connecting with students who are not able to come to campus; and faculty planning and professional development.
• Our schedule alternates between "grey" and "maroon" weeks with slightly varying class schedules in order to provide students access to a full program of academics and specials.
• Students have one in-person special, with others taught remotely during the school day.
• Lunch occurs outdoors when possible or in the classroom at staggered intervals.
• All microwaves have been removed from classrooms. Children must bring a non-microwavable lunch.
• Classes will have access to tents for outdoor learning in the spring.
• Students have recess twice per day and opportunities for mask breaks.
   

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PE & Recess

• Physical Education class happens by homeroom. In the Lower School, each class is a homeroom. In the Middle School, two advisory groups constitute a homeroom.
• Physical Education takes place outdoors unless bad weather prevents it.
• Recess happens outdoors by grade level.
• Each grade has a designated area for recess.

 

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Technology

• Our academic program utilizes a range of hardware and online learning platforms to support in-person learning and off-campus learners.
• Grades K–2 use SeeSaw as their online platform. Parents have access to this platform.
• Grades 3–9 use Google Classroom.
• All grades use Zoom video conferencing for remote meetings.
• All students are provided with a school-issued device: iPads for Grades K–2 and Chromebooks for Grades 3–9.
• Students bring their device back and forth each day in the event they have to be quarantined or switch to remote learning.

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After School Program

• At present, we are not offering an After School Program.
• Our Health and Safety Committee is continually reviewing public health conditions and state mandates in order to evaluate whether we can safely reintroduce the After School Program and other school offerings.