Distance Learning Information

Cascia Hall Community,

We hope this email finds each of you well. We are sending this email as we prepare for the Distance Learning and the synchronous schedule that will be implemented starting Wednesday, March 25. 
 
It is important you know that as a faculty we will have met on different occasions, prepared over spring break, and we feel ready to take on this new challenge. We also understand that this will be a learning experience together as we steer through this unique situation. 

We feel that it is important for us to provide an outline of what to expect moving forward. Students will be sent an email each morning at 8:00 am, which will include our morning prayer and announcements. The students will then be expected to “check-in” with each class during their normal class period time each day (bell schedules are attached to this email). Each teacher will communicate how this is to occur either by email, Zoom, with work turned in, or shared online activities, etc. Teachers have been given autonomy with each of their classes. To be clear though, it is expected that students and teachers are available and present for our distance learning during each of their class periods. We do understand that there will be a need for flexibility as we navigate this distance learning schedule. We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in advance. 

During our meetings, we decided that after the first three days of distance learning, we will change the schedule up just a bit. For the week of March 30, students will be expected to continue with the aforementioned schedule with one exception - Wednesday will be a “Whatever Wednesday”. This means students/teachers can disconnect from the computer screen, catch up on previous work, plan for the next few days, or just take a deep breath. We feel that as we progress through this new style of learning, we are cognizant of the fact that there needs to be time to disconnect from the screen, rest, relax, and do other activities. Furthermore, having this “Whatever Wednesday” will allow us all some time to gather our thoughts and reflect on what has worked and what might need to be revised. 

Our schedule will look like this:
  • Monday, March 30 - Distance Learning
  • Tuesday, March 31, Late Arrival Schedule - Distance Learning
  • Wednesday, April 1 - “Whatever Wednesday” (no school obligations and it is no April fools’ joke)
  • Thursday, April 2 - Distance Learning
  • Friday, April 3 - Distance Learning
If conditions require us to prolong our distance learning, changes in scheduling or formatting may become necessary, and we will communicate regularly so that we can all plan accordingly. We are also reviewing all activities currently scheduled for April. Changes are likely. Please be flexible and patient as we adjust to this ever-changing situation. We are striving to balance a need to protect our community, comply with local, state, and national recommendations, and continue the education of our students as best we can. Know that we are here for you and your families. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us as needed. 

Summary of Student Expectations
We will continue to follow our daily schedule in order to ensure that students are provided with structure, routine, and continuity of learning. This is also intended to ensure that students are not overworked.
  • All work and communication with students will be done through myCascia or Google Classroom (teachers have already communicated this with their students).
  • Students will be expected to “check-in” at some point during that 45 minute class period. Each teacher will communicate how they expect that to be done. In many cases, this could be as simple as answering a question, making a comment, or turning in work at the end of the period.
  • Students should be engaged as much as possible and that means being focused on their learning and limiting their time with distractions and social media.
  • Teachers may not require students to be focused on the computer the entire time. When possible, teachers will spread the load of work, grade work, allow for practice and processing, or have students be creative within their home environment. In some classes that is not always possible, which is why we have added “Whatever Wednesday” to our online school week.
  • Counselors will be in contact, campus ministry will be sharing pastoral support, and our teachers will, of course, be “virtually” there during class time.
  • If students have questions or concerns, the best time to discuss these with their peers or the teacher is during the assigned class period. Any other questions or concerns can be emailed to the teacher and may be addressed individually or during the next class time.
Contact Reminders
Campus Ministry if your child needs any pastoral support and for prayer intentions
Counselors if you have concerns over anxiety or stress
Attendance office if your child is not able to distance learn (call each day, please)
Dean of Students if your child is unable to attend any of the online learning
Principals if you have any overall questions or concerns
Individual teachers if you have questions regarding the specific instruction

AP Classes
On March 20th College Board issued the following announcement.  To summarize:
  • The AP exams will now be offered online. If you have questions or concerns about this format, please check the College Board website first. You can also contact Gemma Booth who is our AP Coordinator and Debbie Coleman who is the SSD Coordinator regarding any specific questions or concerns the College Board may not have addressed.
  • The exam date is yet to be determined but we will keep our students informed as soon as we know.
  • The exam will be 45 minutes long.
  • Colleges have agreed to ensure AP students still receive credit.
  • Our experienced AP teachers will closely monitor information from the College Board and prepare their students for the new exam format and content. 
  • The College Board are also offering online resources that will help students review. This content can be viewed on-demand.
Cascia Hall Distance Learning FAQ
  • Should parents or students try to access the school building during the Distance Learning schedule?
    • Parents and students are encouraged to communicate with all school personnel via phone or email. Parents are discouraged from entering the school building during this time.
    • If you have business or admission office items that need to be delivered, there will be a dropbox available at the front of the MS and US. 
  • How will I check my students' grades?
    • Continue to check grades on myCascia
  • When will I be notified concerning other canceled/postponed school events?
    • These will be communicated in our weekly Cascia Hall Bulletin
  • Is Prom still scheduled? 
    • The Prom is still scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2020. A decision on whether to cancel the Prom will be made by April 8, 2020.
  • Is Graduation still scheduled? 
    • Graduation is still scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2020. A decision on whether Graduation is either postponed or canceled will be made by May 13, 2020.
Shawn A. Gammill, Principal
Todd Goldsmith, Principal MS
Gemma Booth, Principal Assistant
 
 Distance Learning Schedules
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Cascia Hall Preparatory School   |   2520 South Yorktown Avenue   |   Tulsa, OK 74114-2803

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