Seacoast School of Technology Families,
I hope you are all faring as best as possible during these unsettling times. I continue to be in awe of the dedication and incredible work that we are able to do in partnership to support our students and provide the best semblance of consistency possible all things considered.
I’m aware that the “virtual” aspect of our situation means that everyone is inundated with a large number of emails. I’m trying to address as many possible topics in this one message, so I will label topics:
Quarter 3: We will be ending Quarter 3 on April 3 (which is the normal date). Grades will be determined for Quarter 3 based on work assigned up through March 13 (the last day that we were in our building).
We believe the adjusting to remote learning is a process and we want to provide ample opportunity for that adjustment (for teachers and students) to occur without blurring the determination of the quarterly grade. Teachers will be flexible and accepting late work for students who have outstanding assignments for the period before March 13. We will do a grade change for Q 3 as necessary.
Quarter 4: We will continue to sift through some implications for Quarter 4 and work with our post-secondary partners in regards to dual enrollment.
Daily Schedule: Given the decision by Governor Sununu to extend remote learning through May 4th (at the least), we will be adjusting the daily schedule for our students that will provide a little more structure for students, families and teachers. Since our daily schedule is a dance with 6 Sending Schools, or dance partners, we will not be developing an SST wide schedule. Instead teachers are developing schedules that include optional check in times etc. We understand that in some areas the transition has been overwhelming and teachers have been looking at ways to provide flexible structures and engaging learning opportunities.
With the extension on Remote Learning we need to provide consistent and equitable opportunities for Remote Instruction while balancing the social and emotional stability of families, students and ourselves. "Feeling the need to be busy all the time is a trauma response and a fear-based distraction from what you'd be forced to acknowledge and feel, if you slowed down"(The Unbounded Spirit).
Portfolios: Students should not worry about portfolios at this time. Some of them are in a building we cannot access and we do not have an electronic system in place. Please cross portfolios off your list for this year.
Scholarships: Scholarship dates are postponed, but forthcoming. We have a form and abbreviated process that will be emailed out shortly.
Cancelled Trips and Refunds: We cannot access the building at this point, but we are exploring how to get refunds for trips to folks. Thank you for your patience.
National Technical Honor Society:
There is a slight delay to getting letters out, but you should be hearing shortly. Keep good thoughts, I was very impressed with the applications. At this point, the ceremony is on hold, but we are ordering stoles for graduation.
Medication Retrieval: I’ve attached a letter from our nurse, Lisa Chamberlain, regarding the procedure for parents to retrieve medication currently at SST.
April Break: SST will be in session the traditional week of April vacation and closed from Wednesday April 8th - Sunday April 12th. We understand this differs from our sending schools and will be flexible and accommodating for students.
Please reach out to me with any questions or if I can offer support in any way. I miss the students, faculty and staff of SST more than I can say.
Please be well,
Sharon Wilson, Principal, Seacoast School of Technology
