March 25, 2020
Dear Ursuline Students, Parents and Guardians,
Mary-Kate Tracy Katherine Ginnetty
Frequently Asked Questions #2
What should I do if my daughter is unable (due to sickness or other reasons) to complete her daily work? If a student is unable to participate in her remote learning for the day, we kindly ask that the following actions are taken:
How often should my daughter be checking her emails during Ursuline's remote learning experience? While the school administration has worked to significantly reduce the number of emails received by students each day, students are asked to check their email and Google Classroom Distance Learning Hub at least once per day.
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.
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.
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.
Third term grades have closed, and teachers will be submitting grades for the quarter. We anticipate posting reports in the portals on March 30th as scheduled.
Mrs. Smart, our school nurse, reiterates the recommendations from Ms. Tracy's earlier email:
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.
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.
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