Family Update: December 2020

December 2020

Helping Students Navigate Remote Learning This Winter

In the final advisory before the November campus departure, students were asked to anticipate what the remote learning experience would be like and how they might adapt to this new learning environment.

Advisory groups watched this brief video, with comments from four student veterans of the fall semester remote learning experience. It offers the following recommendations, which we ask that you partner with your students to implement.

Set up a dedicated space for learning. Consider muting your phone and computer notifications.
Make time in your schedule for things to look forward to when your work is through.
Separate your home life and school life with a schedule and good morning and night routines.
Communicate about your schedule with your family.
Reduce your screen time whenever possible to reduce eye strain (look away 20 feet for 20 seconds every 20 minutes; use night shift on devices).
Prioritize mental and physical health (get eight hours of uninterrupted rest!).
Don't procrastinate! Stay on top of your work and schedule.
Communicate with your teachers.
UNPLUG! Go outside, spend time with family, etc. Brain rest is vital.

In addition, the School has created two guides that you and your student may find helpful:

The Parent Guide for Distance Learning

The Student Guide for Distance Learning

Academic Resources: Virtual Assistance Available to Students

The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) and Ford Library have coordinated a variety of virtual academic resources available to all students. These services will continue throughout the remote learning period:

The TLC (sessions conducted via Zoom)

Math and chemistry drop-in help with instructors (Sunday - Thursday nights)
Writing Center drop-in help with instructors (Sunday - Thursday nights)
Peer tutoring in humanities, languages, math, and sciences
Individual tutoring appointments

Ford Library

Remote research support available at Bearcat.hotchkiss.org and [email protected]
Library Reference Room on Gmail
Individual appointments on Zoom

Students can access further information and Zoom links for these resources on the Hotchkiss Hub (our student intranet).

Thank you for your partnership and support during these winter months. Families with questions or concerns about remote learning are encouraged to contact their student's advisor.

Recordings of the November 18 Class Deans Meetings Now Available

Shortly before the November student departure, Hotchkiss hosted individual class meetings with the class deans, during which they provided updates about the year thus far and the upcoming transition to remote learning.

To view replays of the class deans meetings click below:

Prep Class with Dean Nora Yasumura

Upper Mid Class with Dean Andrew D'Ambrosio (Please note that there were difficulties in recording, so this video begins with the meeting already in progress.)

Senior Class with Dean Christy Cooper P'08,'11

Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, the lower mid class event with Dean Maggie Crain was not recorded.

In addition, check out the FAQs about the winter remote period which were mentioned in a couple of these informative sessions.

Featured Student Event

Nov. 17 Music Recital

The music program offered its first live performance of the 2020-21 year via Livestream on Nov. 17. Nine students performed for viewers worldwide. Watch the replay here.

College Corner

For Upper-Mid Families

Click here for information about PSAT scores and standardized test review classes.

Save the Date: Upper-Mid College Forum

Upper mids and their families will be invited to join this annual event virtually January 22-23, 2021. More information to come soon!

Important Announcements

Upcoming Yearbook Deadlines

Senior portraits are due today, Monday, December 7. Congratulatory ads for the Class of 2021 are due January 6. Each senior receives a complimentary copy of the yearbook. Upper mids, lower mids, and preps may order yearbooks directly from Herff Jones. Please see the Mischianza webpage for links and details.

For Lower-Mid Families

Click to read information about and application deadlines for off-campus semester programs including High Mountain Institute (CO), The Island School (Bahamas), and Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki, as well as details regarding the springtime SAT Subject Tests.

Please contact Laurie Grusauski, testing and off-campus semester coordinator, with questions.

Transportation Update: February 2021 Student Return to Campus

While more information will be sent in the weeks to come, transportation information is now available for the return to campus February 21 - 23, 2021.

Click here for the transportation schedule and information.
Bus reservations will be available for purchase January 6 - 27 through the OneCard Portal.

Please contact Transportation Coordinator Laurie Grusauski with questions.

Useful Information

Hotchkiss Flickr Account

Be sure to check out photos of students and School activities as seen in this newsletter by visiting our Flickr account! Recent albums include:

Senior Dinner

Diwali Celebration

Fall Play: Festival of Fables

Crop Walk

2020-21 Academic Calendar

Click here to access a printable PDF of the revised School calendar.

Online Parent Directory

Have you been looking to connect with fellow Hotchkiss parents? We've got a fantastic resource for you to use! Click here to access the online parent directory (login required). You can search by:

Student name
Parent name
Graduation year
Country
City
State