Dear Concord Hill Families,

 

It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the news that we have decided to extend our home learning program through the remainder of the school year. This was a difficult decision as we were holding out hope that we could come back together to see one another and bring greater closure to the school year, but as many of you have heard, Governor Hogan made the announcement yesterday that Maryland Public Schools will be closed through June. We felt that to protect the health and safety of the Concord Hill community that it was in everyone’s best interest not to return to campus this year.

 

As we shared at our recent parent meetings, we are working hard to get creative and find ways to celebrate the end of the year and bring closure for everyone. We have planned a very special #CHSstrong ! Week, June 1–5, which will be kicked off by our virtual Field Day on Friday, May 29. Plans to celebrate our special Grade 3 graduates are underway with further details coming shortly. 

 

Please mark your calendars for the following dates. More information will be forthcoming: 

 

 

PARENT MEETING SUMMARIES & NEXT STEPS

Thank you again to the many families who participated in our parent meetings this week and last. Everyone’s ability to be resilient has certainly been put to the test, and we can’t tell you how much we appreciate your support and collaboration as we’ve adapted to home learning this spring. 

 

We appreciated hearing all of the pieces that have worked well for your children and you, and we also noted common themes in what has been challenging or what you are wondering about as we look forward. Below are some of the themes that arose during the meetings:

 

ACADEMICS & CONTINUITY OF LEARNING

 

With regard to managing parenting and student engagement, one parent remarked, “Structure and routine with an abundance of flexibility and humor are essential.” Allow for imperfection! We are working with teachers to integrate the feedback about delivery of instruction, feedback, and reporting into the coming weeks and as we look to various scenarios for next year. If you’re looking for support in the role of teaching/coaching, you may find the following article helpful. We will also look for additional ways to support you. In the meantime, please reach out to us for support on your individual child:  Seven Guiding Principles for Parents Teaching From Home

 

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, DEVELOPMENT & CONNECTION

 

 

Isolated times like these may enhance the need for social and emotional support both for children and parents! We will be building in additional Zoom opportunities with Mrs. Huntley for children to discuss their emotions and experiences of this time as well as to simply socialize with their friends. Please also continue to reach out via email to schedule individual times with Mrs. Huntley , Mrs. Arzt or myself, as needed. We no longer have fixed office hours as we found it was more helpful to try to work around your schedules. 

 

And if your children have demonstrated a new-found ability to fight, you are not alone! You might find the below articles helpful, and Mrs. Huntley welcomes the opportunity to help problem solve any challenges you may be experiencing with your children at home on this front:

 

Stuck at Home: A Chance to Strengthen Sibling Bonds

 

Keeping Siblings from Each Other’s Throats During Quarantine Forced Togetherness

EYE ON THE FUTURE

 

 

We are planning a Step-Up Day, Friday, May 22,  to support students’ sense of closure for this year, as well as to support their transition to the new school year. Similarly, we are working diligently to develop ways we can ensure continuity of learning as we look to the summer and prepare for the fall. We have organized a COVID-19 Task Force, comprised of CHS Board Members, Faculty, and Administration who will be helping inform our decision making over the coming weeks. We look forward to sharing more details with you about our plans to provide an effective learning experience for the fall while also protecting the health and safety of our community.  

 

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out in the meantime, if we can answer questions or be of support in any way.

 

Sincerely,

Nate Dennison

Friday Morning Meeting

Help Us Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week with Flowers!

FRI, MAY 8, 9:00 AM

 

Tune in for a 20- to 30-minute CHS Morning Meeting broadcast from Mr. Dennison’s living room. A long tradition at CHS, each year we shower teachers with flowers, so this year we invite all attendees to use their creativity and imagination! Ideas include drawing flower-themed signs, creating a flower-themed Zoom background, dressing up like a flower, or even holding a bouquet to celebrate our incredible faculty. THANK YOU!

Meeting ID: 853 0942 5787

Password: 041758

From the CHS Library

CHS CURB-SIDE BOOK RETURN!

This SAT & SUN, MAY 9–10, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Mrs. Stifel will be at CHS this weekend from 11:00 AM until Noon on both Saturday and Sunday to collect books to return to the CHS Library, from a safe social distance. Please enter the Concord Hill Hunt Avenue parking lot, and stay in your car. We will direct families to a return bin that is safely distanced to protect our community! Thank you for your cooperation!

CONGRATULATIONS,

CHS READERS!



CHS students who signed up to use the Epic! online book collection have read a total of 2,500 books! This clearly has been an asset in our remote learning arsenal! Congratulations, students!

Follow Mr. Mease on YouTube!

HOME P.E. VIDEOS

Mr. Mease's YouTube Channel



Mr. Mease and his family have been busy creating online content for students that's too fun not to share! Be sure to like, subscribe, and share these fun and informative videos with family and friends.

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 refer to 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.