Remote Learning at Canterbury

As we re-enter campus on August 26, 2020 to begin 2020-21 school year, we are offering remote learning for families who do not wish to return to in-person classes due to COVID-19. In addition, on very rare occasions, Canterbury School may be closed for an extended period – defined here as an anticipated absence from campus of five days or more – because of natural disasters, power outages, or public health emergencies. In such instances, the school will transition to a remote learning environment in order to continue to fulfill our mission on behalf of Canterbury’s students. A remote learning environment features instructional time that is conducted via a combination of video conferencing or the use of tools such as YouTube to provide students with synchronous (occurring in real time) or asynchronous (occurring at a time convenient for the student) learning experiences, facilitated remotely by the classroom teacher.

In specific courses determined by each Division Director, teachers will communicate assignments directly to students and parents (as appropriate) via communication and instructional platforms suitable for remote learning. Google Classroom, Moodle, and basic email are the primary organizational tools teachers will implement to inform students of assignments.

• Teachers will also provide resources to help broaden and refine students’ understanding of the material. This may include videos, online reading selections, etc., and will be determined on a case-by-case basis by each teacher.
• Assignments will be completed and submitted using a variety of online tools, such as the Google suite of products such as Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides, as well as Khan Academy, SchoolTube, YouTube, and other video-oriented programs. These assignments will be assessed as part of the student’s course grade (if grades are assigned for the student’s grade level). If assignments cannot be completed because of extenuating circumstances (family hardship, connectivity issues, lack of suitable technology access at home, for example), students or parents should contact teachers directly to discuss these difficulties and determine what accommodations might be possible.
• For some classes – to be identified by each Division Director – teachers will send home optional enrichment ideas as appropriate. Unless otherwise noted, these are optional and ungraded activities, though teachers may assign required work as needed. We offer the optional activities as a means of keeping students engaged in these subject areas to the best of their ability.
• To the extent possible, teachers will find remote ways to capture the community spirit that typifies the student experience at Canterbury, and will provide opportunities for group interaction such as “Circle Time” (for Early Childhood and Lower School students) and Advisory time (for Middle School and High School students) on a regular basis, as defined by each division. Chapel time is a bit more challenging, given the limits of synchronous video conferencing, but we will endeavor to provide Chapel opportunities for our students during the period of remote learning, as well.
• If the period of remote learning extends beyond one week, each division will send a survey to parents and students (as appropriate) for feedback at regular intervals to further refine the student experience as the school year moves forward.
• Upon return to school, teachers will determine if material needs to be reviewed, retaught, or otherwise enhanced to ensure that students have understood the key concepts and takeaways of remote learning lessons.

Additionally: 

• Before the period of remote learning begins, parents will be asked to pick up any necessary mediation housed in the Nurse’s Office or the divisional office by the end of the school day the day before campus closure begins.
• Students in Grades K-5 will be allowed to take home the devices that have been assigned to them at school to help facilitate their work at home.
• Teachers, Division Directors, and the Head of School will communicate with parents at appropriate intervals during the period of remote learning with course- and division-specific information, as well as with updates on the situation which has necessitated campus closure.
• Parents are encouraged not to use the playgrounds on the Covington Road campus during periods of remote learning.
• Because school is continuing – albeit in a different format – during the period of remote learning, no tuition refunds are possible for the days students are not physically on campus.

For Early Childhood:

• In the event of your child’s class, grade or division having to close for a period of remote learning, families should plan for teachers to provide approximately two hours of suggested asynchronous activities per day. These activities include:
  • Video content of read alouds, circle time and specials classes: French, Music, Library, and Gross Motor Movement. 
  • Activities related to the thematic unit the class is covering
  • Open-ended play prompts to enable children to make sense of the world around them, and to foster all domains of development: cognitive; social-emotional; physical; and executive function skills
  • Ideas for engaging children in moderate to vigorous physical activity 
  • Links to developmentally appropriate online resources and/or take-home kits
• Activities and a suggested timetable for the day/week will be posted on Seesaw by Sunday 7pm at the latest (for Kindergarten Prep, Junior Kindergarten and Canterbury Kids) and by Tuesday 7pm (for Cavaliers). Note that, particularly at the Early Childhood level, accomplishing these teacher-suggested tasks will likely require adult support.
• Take-home kits and learning materials will be available for families to pick up and return at Door #1 on Fridays at the following times:
  • 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for students in Canterbury Kids, Junior Kindergarten, and K-Prep
  • 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. for students in Cavaliers
  • Alternatively, families may pick up materials on Mondays during office hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• In addition, synchronous learning opportunities will take place via Zoom on the days your child’s class is in session. Your child’s classroom teacher will communicate with you about the time of day when this will occur. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to join their child during Zoom meetings. 
• In terms of developmental appropriateness, Zoom meetings will last approximately 3 minutes for every year of your child’s age. For example, for children aged 4-5 years old daily Zoom meetings will last 12-15 minutes. Meetings will take place with the child’s teacher and/or teaching assistant, and with either the whole class, a small group, or one-on-one. 

For Lower School:

• During the period of remote learning, families should plan for daily instructional/work times of two to three hours per day. Students will have opportunities for video conferencing with their teachers and classmates throughout the period of remote learning, including at least one period of class meeting with the teacher once per week.
• The digital platforms that will be used at Seesaw for Grades K-1 and Google Classroom for Grades 2-4. Assignments will likely be modified from what students would have been working on in class, but will be as close an approximation as is possible. All students in a particular grade level will have the same expectations for assignments, rather than separate assignments from individual teachers in that grade.
• For Specials classes (Science, Art, French, Music, Drama, Physical Education) are a mandated part of remote learning. 
• We are sensitive to the fact that some families have an adult that can assist with learning during the day, and that some may not, due to professional commitments. We will do our best to accommodate both realities and appreciate ongoing feedback from parents regarding how remote learning is working within the context of their specific come situations.
• Parents should expect teachers to reach out to them a minimum of two times per week during the period of remote learning. Every effort will be made to streamline communication, so as not to overwhelm parents’ inboxes.
• Classroom teachers will be available to answer any questions parents may have during school hours of 8:00 am – 3:45 pm each day.
• Ongoing efforts to find strong resources, brainstorm and share ideas, and provide feedback among faculty members and to the Division Director are encouraged throughout a period of remote learning. Canterbury is dedicated to finding the best ways to help students stay connected to their teachers and the classroom community, and faculty should be engaged in collaborative, ongoing efforts to improve the remote learning experience for students.

For Middle School:

• Students should plan to take all books and materials necessary to complete their work home with them the day before an anticipated school closure. If the closure is not anticipated, an alternative plan to retrieve materials will be communicated, if possible.
• Students in Grade 5 will be allowed to take home their Chromebooks and chargers to facilitate their work from home.
• Information will be emailed home to students’ Canterbury email addresses, and the email addresses we have on file for parents. Students should be sure to check email regularly for communication from their teachers.
• Classroom teachers will be available to answer any questions parents may have during school hours of 8:00 am – 3:45 pm each day.
• The Middle School will aim to maintain a schedule as close as possible to the schedule during in-person learning, while also working to manage the developmental needs of students in regards to screen time.
• All grading and attendance policies will continue during remote learning just as they would during in-person learning.
• In order to maintain our strong spirit of community, both chapel and advisory will continue during remote learning.

For High School:

• Students should plan to take all books and materials necessary to complete their work home with them the day before an anticipated school closure. If the closure is not anticipated, an alternative plan to retrieve materials will be communicated, if possible.
• High School students will attend classes via Zoom and/or Google Meet according to a schedule agreed upon by the faculty
• All expectations for Canterbury High School’s remote learning environment are outlined in Canterbury School: Online Learning Plan for Students, which will be sent electronically to students and parents, should the school need to transition to an online learning environment.
• Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.
• Grades will be entered, as normal, into Net Classroom.
• Classroom teachers will be available to answer any questions parents may have during school hours of 8:00 am – 3:45 pm each day. Students may also set up an individual meeting with a teacher via Google Meet according to an office hours schedule that will also be communicated to parents.
• Find the High School Remote Learning Schedule here.

"I’m thankful the school truly cares about our students." - A Lower School Parent

"My daughter Molly just loves the videos from Mrs. Reelsen! She was giggling and replying to the video as if we were on video chat. So fun! Great way to keep them connected." - An Early Childhood Parent

"Great organization and team work! Thank you teachers and administrators for providing our children with the best education during this difficult time." - A Middle School Parent 

"My son's attention and participation during "school" at home is just heart-melting. It's like I am getting to experience his classroom first-hand through video!" - An Early Childhood Parent 

"So impressed with my students today! The love they have for each other and the subject matter transcends all of the technical glitches and other inconveniences." - Middle and High School Music Teacher

"I have to tell you that I have seldom been more proud of the students I teach than today. Every single kid showed up for (virtual) class. They participated, and they demonstrated intellectual interest, a sense of humor, and compassion. They are taking this seriously, and they were open about how they are worried. At the same time, they were able to joke with each other. During the discussions, they supported each other with technological tips. Their fondness for each other and the loyalty that they demonstrated to me and to each other and the school was really touching. I can't say that I love teaching online--I cannot wait to get back in the classroom--but this could have been much worse without the students showing up for the game." - High School English Teacher

"I've had the best day connecting with my families! I received so much positive support fro my videos and I FaceTimed six different students today! One of my families went to Fox Island today, as I had gone yesterday for my video adventure!" - Early Childhood Teacher