Dear CCDS Families,
We had a great day of professional learning today, gathered as a staff via Zoom! Take a look at the photo of our time together below. We miss each other and are grateful to be together as a staff as we navigate this unprecedented time.
In this time of isolation and social distancing, our role is to keep our connections with students and families. We are a school that has always made relationships a priority and will continue to put that at the forefront of our work at this time.
This week, we are learning how to move our teaching into a distance learning model. I don't want to make any promises that this will be "seamless." In fact, I guarantee it won't, but within challenges, we will find new opportunities! We have 560 students, 290 families, and 80 staff members - and we are all experiencing the effects of COVID-19 differently. We will connect with kids, provide some learning opportunities, opportunities to connect with each other, and do so in a way that doesn't feel like an extra burden in a challenging time.
To streamline the distance learning experience, we are building a specific website hub for all of this work:
CCDS Distance Learning
. When it is fully published, each grade level will have a button to the right that will lead to learning activities for the day. Teachers will provide
one community connection activity per day
and
one academic assignment
for the day. They will also have extension activities for those who are looking for additional resources. At this time, the work presented will inquiry-based, and will not be graded.
Look for emails from your child's teachers this week outlining more specifics about what you can expect. A great resource for families is the
Common Sense Media COVID-19
page.
When it's up and operating next week, we encourage your kids to check into the CCDS Distance Learning site often, even multiple times a day. The posts in Google Classroom by classmates will give students a chance to interact with their peers and teachers. Again, we hope to support and encourage learning, curiosity, and creativity, while also keeping the structures low-stress and accessible to all.
I'll send an update again later this week with any additional details. Sending you good health and well-being in the meantime.
Warmly,
Wendy
