Distance Learning and COVId-19

When the announcement to transition to distance learning was made on March 13, OLMC faculty were ready to make the pivot to a new way of learning. Teachers had been preparing for several weeks to be ready to make the switch. Teachers have sought parent input for the best ways to help reach their children. Our small school size has allowed us to be most responsive to the needs of our students and families while still working toward our high academic standards. While there have been a few bumps along the way (WiFi doesn't always cooperate!), families have noted:

"I think everything is going very well and keeping the kids working just like a school day."

"We think that regular everyday e-meetings are very helpful not only for teaching outcomes but for reducing children's anxiety related to the lack of close, personal contact with colleagues & teachers. We're positively surprised how well the very quick (almost overnight) transition to e-learning panned out. "

"Especially impressed with [my child's teachers]; they are in constant contact with me about [his]' progress."

"I feel everyone is working hard to make this work!"

We're looking forward to an exciting 2020-2021 back in the classroom!

Early Childhood teachers have used a variety of means to reach out to their families, including SeeSaw, private Facebook groups, video chats, and Google Classroom to video lessons, participate in "virtual snack times", read bedtime stories, and communicate with parents. Teachers strive to balance using technology to deliver lessons with best practices in screentime exposure for little ones.

Elementary Grades are using Google Classroom to assign work, video chats to deliver instruction and spend time together, and use other web-based applications. Teachers have guided children in using this new-to-them platform. Because teachers know their students, they are able to support them, even if they aren't in the same room. Great learning is continuing to happen!

Middle School teachers were able to build upon the technology use they've integrated into their classrooms. Students use Google classroom on a daily basis. Teachers use live video chats, teacher-created podcasts, and recorded videos to connect with students and deliver quality instruction. Woven through all of this is consistent communication with families and students so that children don't have to worry about falling behind in their work. Our aim continues to be to deliver an educational experience that prepares children for high school- academically, personally, and spiritually.

Students work hard when distance learning. Spending more time than usual in front of a screen can feel exhausting and it can be hard to focus on schoolwork when your toys are right next to you! To help provide students with balance, our Art, P.E., Technology, and Music teachers have put together a fantastic menu of rotating activities- what we call Fun Friday. Students can choose which activities they complete, often with minimal or no screen time, that support their holistic development. It provides a great balance to the academic work students are doing throughout the week. Fun Friday is also a day for students to catch up on assignments or touch base 1-1 with their teachers. Our school has the flexibility to maneuver the schedule to best meet the needs of our students.