March 16
Dear Friends School of Portland Families,
I'm sure you won't be too surprised to hear that FSP will be closed tomorrow and through the next two weeks at a minimum. The board and faculty, with a great deal of support from you, have made this decision for several reasons: to protect those people in and around FSP who are more susceptible to the virus and to help slow the spread of coronavirus in the wider community. We know of no cases of this virus in the FSP community right now.
Tomorrow, Monday, March 16, faculty will continue their conversations from their Friday meeting, planning as teams to develop ways for their students to continue learning at home. You will hear from Nell and your child's teachers on Tuesday about what this looks like.
Saying hello to the seventh and eighth graders!
We know that each of you has already been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and figuring out how to add children at home into the mix will be tricky. Each day you can count on FSP teachers to continue the trusting learning partnership they've formed with you and your child. As an administration, we'll keep communication lines open. Finding ways to be in touch with each other to stay supported and healthy will be essential!
Here's a bit of guidance regarding what social distancing at home should look like, especially around playdates with other children: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/health/coronavirus-kids-social-distancing-wellness/index.html
So--be well, look for Tuesday communication from your child's teachers, and let us know what questions arise. As a strong and loving community, I have no doubt that we'll support one another through this extraordinary time.
Sincerely,
Jenny
——
Jenny Rowe
Head of School
Dear Families,
As you know, the faculty is beginning the work of shifting into an at-home learning model. I want to share with you our thinking around this, specifically, our goals and priorities, and some basic information about what you can expect.
Looking to the Quaker values as our guide, we are centering simplicity and community as we think about the best ways to achieve the following goals during this uncertain time:
continue to support students' learning journeys
maintain a sense of classroom and school community
support parents to create an at-home learning environment that works for different families' needs
By the end of today (or perhaps, early tomorrow), teachers will send emails outlining what to expect, including procedure for disseminating materials and daily hours/ways to contact them with questions.
Each Monday, classroom teachers will send out an email with learning activities (including activities for specials) that can be done in flexible ways that work for each family, some who may want to keep a strict schedule, and some who may want a menu of options from which to draw.
In addition to sending home learning activities, teachers will be working on simple ways to keep their classroom communities in touch with one another.
In line with our commitment to simplicity, we are working to create "at-home learning" rather than "online learning." Though we will use technology as a tool to achieve our goals when necessary, we will center the learning, rather than the technology.
For the first two weeks, as we shift to an entirely new paradigm, we will prioritize review and independent projects, when appropriate. If our closure extends beyond two weeks, teachers will be working on the best methods for introducing new skills remotely.
As teachers, we will find new ways to continue to live our mission: ...to challenge and empower students to develop their intellectual, physical, emotional, creative, and spiritual potential... honor our students' natural gives as they learn to enter the world with confidence, competence, joy, and a sense of purpose.
As a community, we hope to continue to be a source of support for one another, and especially for our children.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me or to your child's teacher with any questions. Thank you, as ever, for your flexibility and your support.
Sincerely,
Nell
——
Nell Sears
Director of Studies