March 17, 2020

 

Dear Ursuline Parents and Guardians,

The Dean of Students, Ms. Natalie Mayo, launched our first day of remote learning yesterday by communicating a digital version of our Ursuline prayer for unity, the Pledge of Allegiance, and morning announcements, and even a video of Oso, the Ursuline mascot, shooting hoops. After this very familiar start to the day, students transitioned to their initial day of exclusively online learning through their Google Classrooms, navigating virtual labs, taking assessments both timed and untimed, participating in video conferences and following links to resources. Students contributed their own photos and comments to Classroom streams, and parents may have heard the voices of teachers narrating slide decks or facilitating an online meeting.

To prepare for this day and beyond, teachers had retooled their classes from in-person to online, considering a variety of options for delivery but ensuring those online learning spaces contained clear communication and instructional expectations for students.  Over the first two days, students have in turn responded to the shift by adeptly embracing this new format. While the method of teaching has changed, teachers continue to pursue real engagement with student learning through exploration of essential questions and enduring understandings. 

As we move through the upcoming weeks of remote learning, we anticipate building upon the foundational activities just begun and adding to our repertoire of teaching strategies by employing additional instructional technology linked to learning outcomes.Though this event is both extraordinary and temporary, it is also an opportunity for exploration of virtual educational resources available. 

We encourage you to speak to your daughter about her online experience, and teachers will be surveying the students as we monitor the learning environment.  We are grateful to be hearing directly from you and your daughters during our first 48 hours of online learning so that we can be aware of your experiences and both respond appropriately and plan proactively for next week. While this communication refers to our academic expectations, uppermost in our minds is consideration for our students' well-being during this uncertain period.  From time to time we will be communicating "FAQs" to provide clarification of procedures based on your very good questions as we try to reduce some of the uncertainty.

We remain committed to good communication while we are apart from your daughters, and we are grateful for your partnership in these first days  of remote classes. 

Sincerely,

 

 

 Frequently Asked Questions

 

Does my daughter need to log in to watch her teacher present live lessons?

Ursuline is employing a blended approach to online instruction.  Google Classroom is the starting point for all students to determine expectations for each course. Class content will be made available so that students can participate asynchronously (content can be accessed at any point throughout the day); Ursuline teachers will not be "live broadcasting" or requiring multi-person video chats.  However, some assessments will take place synchronously, with students logging in at a specific time to access an assessment.  Additionally, teachers may be hosting optional video chats to answer questions or provide review of content.

What is the status of the 4th Quarter class for my seventh or eighth grade daughter?

Wellness, Technology, Art and Music classes for middle school students will not begin while we are remote.  Because personal relationships with teachers are so very important for younger students, we will wait until students can meet their teachers for this final quarter of classes.  Students will be enrolled in their 4th Quarter classes officially, so you will see them in the Portals, but they will not meet remotely and no work will be assigned. 

On days that a class 'drops,' what are the expectations for my daughter?

Ursuline utilizes an 8 day schedule which includes a drop day for each class in the rotation.  When we are in school, classes do not meet, work is not assigned, and homework is not due on these drop days.  During this period of remote instruction, the drop day protocol will continue. 

Friday, March 20th is listed as a Professional Development Day; will online classes continue on that day?

Friday is a day of no classes for students. Courses will not meet and work will not be assigned on Friday, March 20th.

Will 3rd term report cards still be posted?

Third term grades will close this week, and teachers will be submitting grades for the quarter.  We anticipate posting reports in the portals on March 30th as scheduled.

My daughter is complaining that her eyes feel tired from so much screen time.

Mrs. Smart, our school nurse, reiterates the recommendations from Ms. Tracy's earlier email:

• Get up and walk around between classes.
• Incorporate a regular schedule of break, lunch and time away from the computer.
• Increase font size, dim the background lighting on the screen.
• Here is a reliable resource with information about reducing eye strain at the computer: Preventing Eye Strain at the Computer

Additionally, Mrs. Smart stresses correct body posture.  None of us should have our necks bent over the computer or tablet for a long time. Keep your feet flat on the floor and bend your knees, and take frequent breaks to move.

My daughter is having trouble with technology.  Where can she get help?

Please have your daughter email her issue to support@ursulineacademy.net and the correct person will reach out to help her resolve her issue.

While COVID-19 continues to disrupt our collective lives and routines, it also has presented us the opportunity to employ a variety of new teaching techniques and approaches.  Ursuline had the digital infrastructure in place to adapt quickly to the evolving situation; please anticipate that we will continue to hone and refine our approach as we receive feedback and gain insight into how these approaches can work successfully for our community.  Our intention throughout this remote experience will be to maintain student-centered learning and a supportive educational environment. 

 

 Ursuline Academy | 85 Lowder Street | Dedham, MA 02026 | 781.326.6161