Teacher Online Office Hours were heart-warming as students re-established their social connections with their teachers and everyone was reassured their YC family is doing well and staying safe.
Google Classroom/Assignments/Zoom Clarification
We understand there were glitches with some of the Zoom office hour sessions today. Know that the administration and technology staff are interacting live with teachers and students throughout the day to monitor these sessions. We are intentionally easing in to live streaming so we can monitor the effectiveness of the chosen platform and plan for adjustments if/when needed.
In the meantime, students should have been able to view a new assignment in Google Classroom yesterday for completion. Today was a day for teachers to practice their Zoom office hours. Tomorrow, students can expect a new/updated post in each Google Classroom regarding assignments. Friday will be an independent working day for students while teachers participate in virtual department meetings to collaborate and offer feedback and suggestions for one another. Look for an Irish Eye e-newsletter update about general school business tomorrow and another Distance Learning update on Friday.
Please know the digital learning platforms (i.e. Flipgrid, Padlet, Peardeck, Edpuzzle, Quizizz, Kahoot, GoFormative, CommonLit, Newsela, etc.) used by students and staff are private. Only those with a yorkcatholic.org email address who are invited by the teacher have access to create assignments.
Why Distance Learning?
Students, staff, and families may be fielding questions from friends and neighbors as to why York Catholic is conducting Distance Learning when other schools are not.
As stated previously, our York Catholic community relies on our connectedness to lift each other during these unusual times. What better way to do so than to maintain as much routine and normalcy as possible? Daily prayer, routine instruction, assignments, and assessments, and the opportunity to interact with one another as a community are what drives each of us. If nothing else, these unusual times have reinforced the power of our YC family, evidenced by the number of virtual interactions conducted today through Zoom, the teachers who left the building Monday in tears by the thought of not seeing their students for two weeks, and stories shared from family dinner table conversations where parents and students alike are navigating this distance learning adventure as a family, many writing in to express gratitude to the teachers for providing for student learning from home.
We encourage everyone to
view the most recently updated
FAQs
posted on the PA Department of Education website regarding School Closures. Here you will find information regarding the school closure mandate as it relates to both public and non- public schools within the state of Pennsylvania. Because York Catholic is not mandated by Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) guidelines, we have been able to begin that continuity of instruction immediately. Our teachers are certified by the State of Pennsylvania, many with advanced degrees and add-on certificates. As such, they are trained and able to differentiate instruction to a variety of learning needs and abilities, including those students who receive instructional support in our Academic Assistance Center. We are prepared to accommodate students virtually through distance learning in the same way we accommodate them in the regular education classroom.
Show Us You in Your "Classroom"!
This is a great opportunity to share what's special about YC on our social media platforms. We'll be posting photos of our school family (students, teachers, staff, admin, coaches, etc.) while we're away from the building. Throughout our Distance Learning time, teachers and students are encouraged to send photos of themselves working on their assignments and showing what makes YC special. All photos should be sent to
info@yorkcatholic.org
to be considered for sharing on social media. We'll also be having special themes. Week 1's theme is: Show Us You in Your "Classroom"! We're sure we'll get the official desk set-up along with shots of students on the sofa! (whatever works!) Follow along at:
