frequency of interactions—will their children need to take any extra precautions in order to attend school? We encourage any parents who are concerned to speak with their health provider. Further questions can be directed to our nurse at katherinestokes@ waterfordschool.org. LOWER SCHOOL I N F O R M AT I O N : How does the Lower School cohort learning model work? In the hybrid scenario, all LS students who elect to, will remain on campus with safety protocols in place (e.g., 6 feet of physical distance in every classroom, masks, hand-washing, etc.) Can you share what an average day will look like on-campus for Lower School students? We have worked to develop schedules and groupings that help students and teachers stay healthy as well as maintain program integrity. Specifically LS students will stay in grade level and class cohorts to minimize mixing with large numbers of other students. We have also worked to staff in ways that minimize the number of adults to interact with each cohort. LS students will begin their day in their homeroom class with a morning meeting, and will follow a typical schedule with core subjects. To minimize mixing, students will attend Specialist classes in 2-week blocks, rotating to each Specialist class over the course of the year (see schedule on pg 5). The exception is PE, which continues in each grade level throughout the year so that students engage in consistent physical activity. Students will not be sharing supplies and will have individual supply kits for homeroom and Specialists classes. Gade level cohorts will play together at recess in designated zones, and will eat lunch in their individual classrooms and outside when possible. Every day will end with a closing circle, which promotes reflection and community, preparing students for a calm and positive dismissal. How will LS drop-off and pick-up work? Will parents be allowed to
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walk children inside? LS drop off and pick-up will look largely the same with LS students moving through the LS parking lot. As always, PreK and Kindergarten students will have teacher assistance at our West drop off/pick up entrance. More detailed information is available in the Parent Portal. At this time we ask that parents/ guardians say goodbye outside, as we are inviting only students, faculty and staff into the building. How does distance learning impact Preschool and Kindergarten? Under Utah state’s “Day Care” provision, our youngest learners in PreK and K will be able to remain on campus if we move to distance learning. For children whose families have opted for them to remain home, concurrent learning will be available, helping them stay connected with their classmates and teacher, and progressing within the curriculum. What are morning meetings and how do they work in Lower School?
we will set the schedule to minimize mixing of specialist teachers across grade levels. How will students safely have lunch in Lower School? LS students will eat in their classrooms or, weather permitting, outside in grade level cohorts. Whether in classrooms or outside, students will eat at a safe distance from one another, which will allow them to safely take off their masks.
Students will start the school day in small meeting groups to take attendance, hold virtual assemblies, and speak about topics, questions and concerns that students might have. These meetings are meant to create a consistent support group, and a place to receive important information for the day. Morning meetings provide a safe environment, cultivate a sense of trust, allow all students to feel valued, and prepare students for the day’s events.
How will you manage recess in Lower School?
How will a PreK or Kindergarten student be able to follow the 6 ft distancing goals?
Will teachers in the LS be available for additional support and help? Yes, LS teachers will be available for additional help and support students throughout their day, and during designated times before school. As always, we welcome parent communication with their child’s teacher if there are concerns.
As with any routines, our youngest students learn by watching those around them and will respond best to clear expectations and gentle reminders throughout the day. Resources and early observation show the youngest students are indeed able to practice distancing and wear masks.
Each LS cohorts will have a designated outside “zone” during recess time, supervised by playground monitors as is typically our practice. Time outdoors is considered a lower risk activity, and students will have an opportunity for a mask break during outside play (although students can opt to keep their masks on).
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL I N F O R M AT I O N :
What will the arts look like in LS?
How does the Middle and Upper School hybrid model work?
LS students will have specialists in intensives and will overall have the same number of hours in visual arts, music, and dance as in previous years, though
In the MS/US hybrid learning scenario, we will maintain 6 feet of physical distance in every classroom. To accomplish this physical distancing, we can accommodate 1/2 of the
students on campus at a given time. We will divide the students into two groups, and then will rotate every two days, after a compete Blue/Gold cycle (see schedule on pg 6). On the days when students are learning concurrently, they are expected to join the class via Zoom. They will be visible in the classroom on a mounted TV screen, and will be able to see all in-person participants through the Owl camera, which responds to speech and rotates to focus on the speaker. The technology will allow students at home to participate in discussions with the full group and in smaller breakout rooms. The goal is for instruction to be continuous, with class sessions fully engaging the 1/2 of students on campus and the 1/2 off campus at the same time. Can you share what an average day will look like on-campus for MS/US students? In MS/US we will follow a new Blue/Gold day schedule. The traditional 8 Waterford blocks will meet on alternating days, 4 on Blue days followed by 4 on Gold days. The blocks will be longer (75 minutes, instead of 50 last year), and the passing time between blocks will be longer (15 minutes, instead of 8—see schedule on pg 6). The longer passing period will allow for physical distance while students exit classes and move to the next period. It will also allow time to disinfect the tables and desks between classes. Each day will start with a Morning Meeting (formerly Homeroom and Advisor Groups). Students will be guided to have lunch outdoors whenever possible, and in inclement weather, classrooms will be open with maximum capacity of each room noted to maintain physical distance. Teachers will be out and about helping to reinforce important
