Learning at Home

On-Campus Instruction

Currently, Lower School students are on campus in a "split group" pod model. This means that students: 

• Are assigned to a homeroom class, as they have in the past, but are divided into two equal "pods," who they will stay with throughout the school day.  
• Each pod has its own learning space--using the traditional classroom space and an additional space on campus. 
• Our assistant teachers and lead teachers rotate between the pods, working equally with each pod. 
• Students  rotate between the learning spaces on a weekly basis, but to ensure safety and distancing in the classroom, are not in the same space at the same time, or on the same day. 
• To launch the school year, our special area teachers are assigned to two homeroom classrooms, where they rotate through the pods to provide instructional and social-emotional support to our students.  
• Students have physical education outside, weather permitting, in their pods 2–3 times a week, in addition to two recesses a day. Due to the size and open nature of our campus, we also provide ample opportunities for our students to get outside. 
• Student drop-off this year runs from 7:45–8:30 am, and the school day begins at 8:30 am. The increased drop-off time allows families flexibility for when they arrive to campus in the morning, and allows the school to do the quick health screening (including temperature check) to safely begin the school day. Students go directly to their classrooms when they arrive (at this time we will not be able to have supervised morning wait).

Lower School Remote Learning Option

For students who have selected to learn remotely, please click here for details.

Learning at Home Day

• Each morning before the first class, it might be a good time for you to help your child develop some healthy routines such as planning for the day, communicating with project partners, reading a book, or taking a walk.
• Classes will start each day at 9 am for all students. Your child will log into Google Classroom (an app on the iPad), select their class, and join the live Google Meet with the teachers and students on campus.
• On their iPad, they will be able to see and hear what teachers have planned for the class, which will vary in length depending upon the lesson. There will then be an opportunity to interact with other students and teachers verbally, visually, and through shared documents within Google Classroom.
• In some lessons, students will stay "live" for the entire class, and in others, they will be allowed to log off and get to work. We are always balancing the need for connection to their peers with the impact of screen time on the days at home.
• We will monitor this load as we launch the school year and be prepared to adjust accordingly.
• Students will aim to follow their schedule at home, even advisory!

Expectations

• We know that there will be a learning curve to get into a rhythm.
• We also anticipate typical connection problems, sound not working, an escaped pet that needs to be found, and all the other stressors that hit kids and families. Please know that the faculty and staff are aware of this; in fact, they may be going through similar things!
• At any point, simply have your child e-mail their teacher and/or advisor and explain any problems. If the issue can be resolved remotely, we will work on it!
• There are Tech Help Desk links on each iPad that will directly connect them to our tech support.
• For students opting into the full time remote option, we will prioritize addressing those needs quickly. For students returning to campus the next day, we may fix it then.
• If classes are missed, do not panic! Teachers will make sure resources are available for students to review and get caught up.
• Faculty are prepared to work with students in various ways to keep them current with the class. Communication is important so that we can best serve your child. 

First Days of School

The first few days of school will involve helping students manage this new alternating schedule and practicing connecting to everything on campus and at home. Teachers are planning to get creative as they welcome kids on Wednesday in the classroom and at home! We are planning multiple "first" experiences to make each first day on campus feel special. 

Opt-In Remote Learning

• There are a few students in every grade level who have opted to start the year full remote.
• They will also follow the guidelines described above with the additional support of faculty intentionally checking in more regularly during the transition times in class.
• Faculty will be available as needed to meet and discuss their work. More information will be going to those families early next week.
• If a family decides they would like their child to return to school for hybrid learning, it is absolutely possible to do so, but please contact Warren Sepkowitz, Head of Middle School, warren.sepkowitz@charlottecountryday.org, to discuss.

We recognize that every child is different, and their needs will be different. Our blended and full opt-in remote models were built to allow for as much flexibility as possible within a predictable schedule. 

Tests

• Faculty have always evaluated students' mastery of content and skills in various ways. Your child will continue to experience various assessments in multiple forms (papers, video creation, project-based learning, audio creations, etc.).
• Because most of us grew up in a traditional paper test environment, we, as adults, tend to only think about those forms. We can continue to use traditional tests by using the technology to distribute and allow students to record answers directly on the digital form.
• There may even be times we ask parents to help us by serving as an informal "test proctor" to reinforce the honor code while their child completes the work. However, we have students that want to learn, understand the honor code, and we trust them to make good decisions. 

Communication

We encourage you to reach out if you have questions or concerns. First, e-mail your child's classroom teacher (if related to a class) or Advisory (if more general). Your advisor will be able to guide you through whatever question you may have!

• Classes will start each day at 9 am for all students. Your child will log into Microsoft Teams, select their class, and join the live class with the teachers and students on campus.
• Students will be able to see and hear what teachers have planned for the class, which will vary in length depending upon the lesson. There will then be an opportunity to interact with other students and teachers verbally, visually, and through shared documents within Microsoft Teams.
• In some lessons, students will stay "live" for the entire class, and in others, they will be allowed to log off and get to work. We are always balancing the need for connection to their peers with the impact of screen time on the days at home.
• Students will aim to follow their schedule at home, even advisory.

Expectations

• We know that there will be a learning curve to get into a rhythm and we anticipate typical connection problems.
• At any point, simply have your child e-mail their teacher and/or advisor and explain any problems. If the issue can be resolved remotely, we will work on it!
• The Tech Help Desk is available to support our students with any tech needs.
• If classes are missed, do not panic! Teachers will make sure resources are available for students to review and get caught up.
• Faculty are prepared to work with students in various ways to keep them current with the class. Communication is important so that we can best serve your child.

Opt-In Remote Learning

• Remote learning students login to class each day unless instructed differently by the teacher.
• The classes and teachers they were assigned in scheduling will continue to be their teachers throughout the year. They will just attend class remotely and work will be modified as needed. 
• Students are allowed to participate in sports after school.
• Students who attend school remotely will not lose their spot at school. They are still Country Day students!
• If a family decides they would like their child to return to school for hybrid learning, it is absolutely possible to do so, but please contact Matt Less, Head of Upper School, matthew.less@charlottecountryday.org, to discuss.