Distance Learning Information Hub
Welcome to The Mead School's Distance Learning Hub. Here you will find school-wide information on our approach, an overview of key communications and instructions and links to resources and materials to support you and your children.
The Mead School's approach to Distance Learning is not fundamentally different from our approach to regular school life:
- Our intrinsic values are still firmly in place.
- We are a strong, supportive community committed to incorporating best practices in teaching and learning.
- We are committed to creating a program that will foster "learning that lasts."
- We will maintain continued relationships with our students.
- We will engage our students in thinking and learning that continues to foster growth academically, socially and emotionally.
Media
Technical Information
Parent Points of View
Early on, we observed Camryn's commitment and engagement to her online studies. She has never really been excited about Zoom calls or online classes- but the interaction and discussion, coupled with the Altitude Learning assignments, produced a comprehensive learning approach. Thank you!
Rising 8th Grade Parent
Mead Learns On was a success for my 6th grader. He felt supported, engaged, accountable once he got the hang of it, which did not take long because the school had already adopted the Altitude Learning Platform. His schedule was customized and it allowed him to interact often with his classmates and teachers, keeping his connection to the community strong. Most impressive to me was how Mead was able to keep ALL the classes and most of the spring traditions going. Art, music, physical development, drama, and the Spring Fling performance were adapted creatively for the screen/home environment in addition to flexible and reimagined math, marine science, language arts, spanish and social studies. We are very grateful to the teachers and administration who navigated (aka worked their tails off!) thru the past few months with grace and humor. We hope to return to in-person in September, but we are convident that an online learning (or a hybrid) will not mean less learning for my son. Rising 7th Grade Parent
Distance Learning Information By Center
Below you will find links to the plan for each Home Center. The resources and approaches being used will differ according to the age of our students, so please review each section carefully if you have children in different Grades.
Click on the tab to filter the messages below and see just those for your child's Center
June 5, 2020
Good Morning K-1-2,
I can't believe today is our LAST day together this year! There is so much to celebrate! First we have the Field Day Extravaganza video that will be emailed this morning by Frank! Then at 10:00am, we have the whole-school Dance Party! Finally, we have our LAST K-2 Homecenter Zoom at 11:00!
- K-1-2
June 5, 2020
Good Morning 3-4-5 & HAPPY Friday,
Today concludes MEAD LEARNS ON!
Please take some time today to reflect on this past year and all the success and growth you have accomplished.
We are so very proud of you!
- G3-5
Dear 6-8 Grade Students and Families,
Your teachers and I have been working to refine your synchronous distance learning schedules and the UPDATED Zoom class schedule is listed below.
- G6-8
Dear 6-8th Grade Families,
I hope you all had a restful and pleasant weekend, apart, but at least the sun was shining! I am looking forward to our second week of distance learning. The schedule will be similar to last week's schedule. I have added Values classes on Monday afternoon and already sent email invitations out.
- G6-8
The technology and learning platforms we will be using for G3-5 during our Distance Learning program will be Altitude Learning and Zoom Video Conferencing.
- G3-5
The Mead School faculty and administration are excitedly anticipating tomorrow's launch of Distance Learning, "Mead Learns On".
As we begin this new phase of learning together, I am happy to announce the addition of our Distance Learning Information Hub located on our website.
- G3-5
- G6-8
- K-1-2
In order for you all to better understand what to expect from your child's Virtual Learning Experience I have created some visuals.
The first visual is what week one of distance learning will look like for our home center. (I will send an adjusted version next week if we make changes). The second is an example of an individual schedule.
- G3-5
This is a new way for us to engage in learning together, so we must focus on how we continue to support ourselves and each other in that learning and recommit to certain “classroom” agreements.
Here are our on-line, virtual classroom policies:
- G3-5
This schedule is intended as a sample, but please do create some form of daily routine.
It will help you stay grounded and remind you that you have responsibilities while at home.
- G6-8
We expect routines and expectations to change as we learn to master distance learning. For the first week or two, I outline below what a typical Distance Learning day will look like for your child. We will still rely heavily on the Altitude Learning Platform for assignments and related assessments.
- Classes will “meet” on dedicated days via the Zoom video conferencing platform.
- Center meetings will occur on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
- G6-8
Distance Learning FAQs
The Mead School faculty has spent years implementing purposeful and engaging technology into instruction. Through our blended learning platform with Altitude Learning, as well as the innovative creativity of our teachers, our faculty and students have been empowered to utilize technology to enhance teaching and learning in a virtual environment.
Lastly, providing an equitable and inclusive learning community is paramount to our program. We are committed to ensuring that all students have an equitable and positive experience in the Distance Learning environment. We will all approach this work with patience, empathy and open-mindedness.
Patience and positivity are more important than perfection
Supporting Each Other
We are acutely aware that this is a learning curve for our community. Staff, parents and students will each experience their own personal challenges as we enter this uncharted territory.
We need to be here for each other and to support each other with patience, empathy and kindness.