April 6

Dear Families,

We're going on week 4 of our new school lives, and gradually many of us seem to be finding a bit of a groove.  

For teachers, this means having tested out and settled on a general weekly schedule with interactive time as a class, mini-lessons, and one-on-one opportunities with their students.  Creative projects in art, music, P.E., and Spanish can be done throughout the week or in a block at the end of a day, 

For parents, this has  meant piloting new family routines, choosing from the classroom schedule and settling on their own learning opportunities, sharing devices among family members, and making sure there's still some time for unstructured play--all while working at home or having to be away for part of the day or at night.

For students, new rhythms have certainly emerged.  While flexibility and independence have been enjoyed by some, it's still not easy being away from their teachers and friends. 

Nell reminded the faculty last Friday that we spend the first 6 weeks of every school year at every grade level learning about expectations, who we are as part of a group, and consciously practicing each element of each day.  And suddenly finding ourselves--teachers, parents, and students--in an entirely new job takes a lot of our thinking power.  

April Break (Monday, April 20-Friday, April 24) will be an important time for all of us to set down the weight of at-home teaching and learning for a bit.  

We are all figuring out how to live and be in this time.  I am inspired to hear how families are seeking to enjoy as many of life's new patterns as they can, even as they confront loss. Hearing from many of you has been so important--thank you for touching base.

Sincerely,
Jenny

P.S.  On a conference call this morning, we heard firsthand from some heads of Friends schools in New York City who are grieving the deaths of alumni and worried about students who have become sick.  The inability of residents not to leave their homes is leaving them quite dispirited.  Please hold these friends in the light.

——
Jenny Rowe
Head of School

This past week teachers, students, and classes worked together to explore new ways of connecting, learning, and engaging from afar.  Fifth and sixth graders used Zoom to present book projects on A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park.  Kindergarteners checked their message board for sign-in each morning and listened to recordings of Chelsea singing letter of the week songs.  Preschoolers participated in candle circle via zoom; 1st and 2nd graders had a mini lesson from each of the four 1-2 teachers; and 7th/8th graders participated in an advisory meeting guest-starring Billy, who checked in with them about getting exercise and getting outside.  Some families have taken on their own courses of study, and students are busy learning how to bake bread, start seeds, or ride bikes.

Each week, teachers are working together to further develop an aspect of our at-home program. This week, in addition to deepening their understanding of technological learning tools, offering a wide array of learning activities, and making revisions to their plans based on feedback, teachers will be working together to determine how best to assess learning from afar.

Teachers all over the country, including those at FSP, have taken on what amounts to entirely new jobs within the space of a few days. They are creating new curricula; learning new approaches for instruction and assessment; helping students feel connected,engaged, and loved; and creating meaningful learning activities each day--all while they juggle their own families' new realities.  I am in awe of what our teachers have accomplished in this short time. I am grateful for families and students who are supporting them to do this work, while facing their own challenges at home.

Nell

——
Nell Sears
Director of Studies