Dear Richmond Waldorf School Parents and Students,
On behalf of our Faculty, Administration and Board of Trustees, we greatly appreciate your patience and support as we address the changing issues due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
We would like to thank everyone for their conscientious efforts and understanding as we work together to support the health of our students, families, faculty, and staff. These are unusual times to be sure, and they require us to be patient, flexible, and attentive to our own needs and those of others. This morning, the faculty and administration gathered to share our hopes for the coming weeks. First and foremost we want the children to feel safe and connected. We want to maintain a sense of community while embracing the opportunities this circumstance presents. We will also be posting all current and future COVID-19 related updates to our website at
RichmondWaldorf.com/covid-19-information
.
Despite schools being closed, it is our goal to maintain our students’ academic instruction and sense of class community to the greatest extent possible. Our faculty is in the process of preparing for the students’ Distance Learning, and we will continue to adapt and refine as we learn more.
Parent-Teacher conferences initially scheduled for March 20 and 23 are postponed.
Parents are encouraged to call or email their child's classroom or specialty teacher should they have questions about their student’s progress. Teachers will contact parents of students who are experiencing problems with their assignments.
Early Childhood parents will receive email communication this afternoon with distance
learning recommendations and maintaining a daily rhythm.
EC teachers will not use Google Classroom for their communication but will instead email families directly.
Grades Class and Specialty teachers will use Google Classroom platform for distance learning.
For Grades, to the extent possible, the manner of instruction via distance learning is to be true to a Waldorf curriculum while the student is at home. Parents will hear directly from teachers with instructional information and materials as well as hours each teacher is available for questions or to provide support.
Distance Learning for Grades 1 - 8
- Distance Learning for students in Grades 1 - 8 will begin Monday, March 23, 2020 morning at 8:00 a.m. via Google Classroom. The intention and expectation is that the daily school rhythm will remain as close to being at school as possible, and to ensure all students are engaged and keeping up with their learning.
- RWS will set up one G Suite account for each family with students in the Grades. Through this account parents will access classwork for all students in the family. Please look for an email this week with instructions on accessing your new account. You will need access to the internet and a computer or tablet (such as an iPad) to use Google Classroom. If you have questions about accessing this platform please contact your child’s teacher.
- Bags with student supplies to support classwork will be available for pick up Friday, March 20, from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Please park at the Drop Off/Pick Up area to get your student's supplies, texts, and specific student instructions, if any. Faculty & Administrative staff will be in the area outside to assist you as we can with the pick up. Your class teacher will be in touch with you before Friday, if you need to pick up supplies.
School Reopening
: RWS is closed at least through March 27 and we will promptly communicate should any further changes to the calendar be made. Until we are notified that schools are allowed to reopen, we hope you will practice social distancing. Play dates are strongly discouraged during this time. We will continue to have Spring Break, April 6 through 10th, and no distance learning will take place during that week.
If you need to retrieve any of your child’s personal belongings, please let your child's teacher know and we will make every attempt to help you with retrieving the items. Please do not come to the building without permission.
Virginia Department of Health
hotline, 877-275-8343 (877-ASK-VDH3) is now available for questions from residents about the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Thank you, again, to our Parent, Students, and Faculty and Administrative staff as we make adjustments as needed!
Interim Director of Administration
on behalf of The Leadership Team
