Dear Parents,

EXTENDED HOME LEARNING THROUGH MAY 15
As I shared in my video message Sunday evening, Governor Hogan announced last Friday to keep public schools closed through May 15. Out of an abundance of caution, Concord Hill has decided to do the same. While we understand that reopening before the school year ends is unlikely, we remain hopeful. 

GRADE LEVEL PARENT MEETINGS
As we come to the end of Week 4 of Home Learning, we are beginning to shift our thinking toward the end of the year and the special Concord Hill events, traditions, and responsibilities that occur during that time. Given the uncertain future, we are also thinking ahead to the summer and next school year, preparing for various schooling scenarios.

We would like to engage with you personally through Zoom Parent Meetings over the next couple weeks to continue the discussion about Home Learning and share our current thinking about the end of the year, summer, and fall. Mrs. Arzt, Mrs. Huntley, and I will host the conversations. We scheduled these conversations at various times of the evening in hopes that one of the times will be conducive to your schedule. Please sign up for one of the times below.
 
TUE, APRIL 28: 4:00 PM–5:00 PM
Grade 3 Parents, only | No sign-up needed
EOY and Graduation-Focused Conversation

All Grades Welcome

All Grades Welcome

All Grades Welcome

If these times don’t work well for your schedule or you prefer an individual conversation, we encourage you to sign up for Office Hours with us:

TUE & THU, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM

MON & WED, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM

HOUSEKEEPING: ZOOM TIPS & EXPECTATIONS
As we spend more and more time on Zoom for instruction and interactions, we wanted to reiterate the expectations for these meetings to help make them successful for your child and the other children involved. Please refer to the following rules and consider printing these out and putting them in your child’s work space to refer to when necessary. Thank you for your support!

CHS Classroom ZOOM Rules for Success:

  1. Be on time: show up a few minutes before class time and wait to be admitted
  2. Minimize distractions: choose a spot free from distractions (siblings, television, parents, pets, toys, etc.)
  3. Stay in one spot: stabilize your device on a table, please don’t walk around with it
  4. Picture on: keep your picture on so teachers can see you
  5. Stay on the screen: while you may need to stand up and stretch or move from time to time, stay on the screen.
  6. Be respectful at all times: no hand gestures or inappropriate language
  7. Stay on mute: raise your hand or click the “raise hand” button if you have a question or want to share something
  8. Stay focused and on task: don’t play with your screen background, toys, or other things that will distract you or others from the learning

COUNSELING MESSAGE FROM LAUREN HUNTLEY:
"THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY"
Among many other stressors, parents may find themselves wondering how the time away from school may impact their child’s academic progress but also what to do with their children when there isn't a Zoom lesson on the calendar or other school assignments to work on. While the ability to maintain continuity through distance learning is important for children for providing structure, an opportunity to maintain social connections with their peers and teachers, and to continue building their academic skills, this pandemic also affords children a perhaps unique opportunity. That is, the important opportunity to enhance their ability to play independently. “Research has shown that our heavily scheduled lives have contributed to a significant decrease in the amount of free time kids have, so their independent play skills may not be ready for the moment we are facing.” By teaching our children how to play independently, our children will build on these important skills. In turn, adults may experience reduced stress as a result of less need to direct each minute of a child's day while at the same time trying to meet other demands. 

Dana Rosenbloom, a parent and child educator, underscores the value of independent play: “Independent play encourages time management, executive function and organizational skills, and emotional and physical awareness and regulation.” Play also fosters creativity and can be an effective coping skill for children. To find out how to build or enhance these play skills in your children and how the awareness of the coronavirus might impact your children’s play, I invite you to peruse the below articles and discuss with other CHS parents and staff on our Facebook page. If you’d like individualized input on your child or other support, please reach out to me at   [email protected] .
 
 


FRIDAY MORNING MEETING THEME: "SPORTS SPIRIT WEAR!"
This week our Third Grade leaders are inviting CHS to show our spirit by wearing our favorite sports attire. Wear a favorite team hat, sweatshirt, or even bring a pendant or flag to the meeting to show off your spirit! 
Meeting ID: 853 0942 5787
Password: 041758

Tomorrow's Theme: "SPORTS SPIRIT WEAR"!
Zoom Friday Morning Meeting
FRI, APRIL 24, 9:00 AM
 
Tune in for a 20- to 30-minute CHS Morning Meeting broadcast from Mr. Dennison’s living room. Keep the CHS traditions going strong as we connect virtually to celebrate birthdays, sing songs, learn new dance moves, and more.There may even be a special guest appearance. The whole family is invited to join! 
Meeting ID: 853 0942 5787
Password: 041758

Please refer to the Zoom Rules & Expectations, above.
Saturday!

CHS FOOD & SUPPLIES DRIVE
To Benefit the National Center for Children & Families
SAT, APRIL 25, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
CHS Hunt Avenue Parking Lot
 
This  Saturday, April 25,  from  11:00 AM until 12:00 PM,   Concord Hill School will be hosting a  no-contact, drive-by food and supplies drive  for Bethesda's  National Center for Children and Families   . Join us for this safe and welcome opportunity to get out of the house with the kids to observe the CHS community coming together in this important effort. CHS parent Paige Smith and Second Grade families have generously offered to collect and deliver items to the Center after Saturday's collection.
 
IMPORTANT INFO FOR ITEM DROP-OFF
Our volunteers will be practicing social distancing while wearing masks and gloves. You may remain in your car after you pull into the parking lot. You may either remove items from your car while maintaining a distance of six feet or more from other people, or we can assist you safely.

MOST-NEEDED ITEMS
The National Center for Children and Families created  a list of most-needed items   including bottled water, Gatorade®, juice boxes, and non-perishable food. If you are unable to drop items off at CHS on Saturday, please consider making a donation toward the purchase of a Giant gift card through Paige Smith's Venmo account @paigelevysmith, or drop any items off on the front porch of the Smith home at  7816 Maple Ridge Road   by 12:00 PM on Saturday, April 25.
Saturday!

CNN & SESAME STREET
Coronavirus Town Hall for Kids & Parents
SAT, APRIL 25, 9:00 AM

CNN is partnering with Sesame Street for a special town hall this Saturday about coronavirus, focused on kids and parents.

"The ABC's of Covid 19: A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Parents" will tackle issues including education, anxiety, screen time and playdates. The 90-minute town hall will feature experts and Sesame Street characters—including Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Rosita and Grover— answering questions submitted by families. Big Bird will join CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN anchor and national correspondent Erica Hill to moderate the event. WATCH ONLINE
Cancellations

Out of an abundance of caution, the following events have been postponed. Stay tuned for further details. THANK YOU!

April 25: :
Children's Fair
CHS Celebration: Casino Night

April 29:
Guest Author Caroline Maguire

May 1:
CHS Spring Party


CHS End of Year Family Party
Stay Tuned for Details!

As we continue to navigate these challenging times, we are hopeful and looking forward to resuming day-to-day operations. As several annual traditions and events have been postponed or canceled, we are in the process of planning something special to celebrate our community once we reopen campus.

Stay tuned for more information, coming soon!
School Store Sale!
Save 15% on All Apparel
THROUGH APRIL 30

Use code STAYHOME15 to save 15%, along with free USPS shipping until
April 30.

CHS SUMMER CAMP for Ages 3–6
Six, One-Week Sessions Start JUNE 15
Afternoon Care Available

The perfect camp for 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-year olds, Concord Hill School Summer Camp provides a nurturing, fun-filled, and educational environment featuring hands-on activities directed and taught by CHS Faculty.
MR. MEASE'S ALL-SPORTS CAMP
JUNE 8–12 & AUG 10–14
9:00 AM–1:00 PM
$295 per week

Led by Concord Hill School's very own P.E. Teacher Kert Mease, the Golden Goal All-Sports Camp provides opportunities for children to learn team-building skills while improving technique, building confidence, and having fun!
Please check the CONCORD HILL SCHOOL website calendar regularly,
as dates and events are subject to change.
For the safety of CHS students, faculty, and staff,
all visitors are required to sign in at the Front Desk.