Dear Hilltopper Families,
As Kevin Breen's December 4 update indicated, we will continue with distance learning next week and likely the following week. Local COVID metrics continue to be alarming and we need to heed the call of our community leaders, medical providers, and first responders to help slow the spread.
While we share your disappointment, we know that this is also a chance for students to learn a valuable life lesson - sometimes the needs of the collective need to be put in front of our individual needs. Hilltoppers have a generous spirit and are resilient when faced with adversity. That doesn't mean it's easy; there is nothing easy about living through this pandemic. That doesn't mean it's fun. It is an opportunity to look at things differently, perhaps slowing down the pace of life gives us new perspectives about possibilities.
Being able to rely on our community has meant so much to us this school year. You have responded to our pleas for health and safety, and we are grateful. We know distance learning isn't easy on most students, which in turn makes it challenging for parents. To support you, we've started a Brown Bag series of parent meetings. The meetings are designed to check in with you and to respond to your needs as you support your children's learning at home. Thank you to those who were able to join us this past Wednesday. If you weren't able to join us, here is the link to a recording of the meeting. Our next Brown Bag will be on Wednesday, December 9. Our school counselors and learning specialists will talk about how to support your child's mental wellness. Mental wellness and social isolation was identified as a concern during the first Brown Bag meeting.
Let's continue to wear masks, avoid gathering with anyone outside our households, and practice social distancing. Our commitment to each other will help us return to in-person learning sooner rather than later. #ToppersTogether
Heather and Karen
BROWN BAG SERIES The second Brown Bag series lunch Zoom will be on Wednesday, December 9, at noon. The topic will be supporting your child's mental wellness. The meeting link is here.
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT DISTANCE LEARNING
MONITORING THE HEALTH OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY The CrisisGo check-in reminder will be reactivated when classes resume on Monday. Please continue to complete the check-in each day to provide information about the health of your student and family. We will use this information as one consideration when determining a return to in-person classes.
We ask that you continue to stay in touch with the Health Center (healthcenter@marshallschool.org) if your child is experiencing COVID or flu-like symptoms, becomes a close contact of a COVID positive case, or tests positive for COVID. MDH requires us to track and report this information, even during distance learning.
NO UPPER SCHOOL FINAL EXAM WEEKS There will be no designated final exam weeks during the 2020-21 school year, and no semester-cumulative tests will be given. Teachers will determine how to close out the semester in each of their individual classes, which may include a test or project that is scheduled or due prior to the start of the holiday break. Semester one will end on January 15 for both divisions and gradebooks will be closed for the semester at that time.
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS Families who have questions or concerns about the mental health of their child may reach out to our counselors for resources and support. Both counselors can be reached by email during distance learning:
CONFIRMED CLOSE CONTACT OR POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST RESULT If your child has been exposed to COVID-19 or had a positive test result, immediately contact healthcenter@marshallschool.org.
(c) 2018 Marshall School |