Distance Learning Guideposts

We will be taking attendance daily at the morning circle for Lower School and at the start of every class in Middle School. Students in Middle School are expected to be in the waiting room at the start of class (we will help support your Middle School child as they are learning these routines). If you need a refresher of Park Day Zoom agreements, this is a printable visual Zoom agreement sheet for students.

• Print out this visual guide for Zoom expectations so your child has it close at hand.
• Log into the meeting a few minutes before class begins.
• Come to online class meetings ready: distractions are put away, Zoom background is set or turned off, learning/work space is organized for class, face screen, and stay present throughout.
• Be ready as if you are physically in class with all materials ready, dressed, and gone to the bathroom already.
• Turn video on (can turn off self view if shy).
• Limit background noises. Have headphones on if applicable.
• Pets should not be the highlight of your video during class time.
• Additional devices should not be used and should be turned off.
• Stay on meeting tab, unless teacher instructs otherwise.

• Behave respectfully, to teachers and classmates, as we would in person.
• Be honest and come to an adult if a problem emerges.
• Don’t download software to school devices.
• Only use apps/sites as directed by teachers when using school devices.
• Treat school devices with care. You are responsible for borrowed school equipment.
• Check for assigned work and complete it by the due date.
• Stay focused and engage in class meetings or on your work.
• Not have other screens open that are not related to class.
• Check work before submitting online.
• Ask questions, and check if a teacher has already answered them.
• Keep documents organized and properly labeled.
• Only turn in original work and not represent someone else’s work as own.

For those who are engaged in Distance Learning in a small group at home our through the JCC program, we want you to be aware that:

• Each child will need their own quiet work space as some assignments will differ and be personalized to each child’s learning needs (we call this “just right work”).
• Each child will need their own device so they can engage directly with their teacher.
• Each work space may need to be in separate zones or rooms for when children are in different zoom rooms for small group work, or the same zoom room on their own device (there is an echo if people are on the same zoom call in close proximity).
• We recommend headphones to help children hear better and to lessen in-home distractions. You may want to get one with a built-in microphone, too. 
• We want to ensure children do not feel “left out” if parents/guardians are not a part of a pod or not joining a third party childcare environment like the JCC program. This is another reason that we’d like each child to have their own device and space.

Spread Goodwill and Avoid Negativity: When you see a ParentSquare post that helps or inspires you, you are invited to click the Appreciate button (the heart) or comment so people know their posts are being read and valued. Do not post anything that might be seen as negative about any teacher, parent, child, or other individual or group. Should you have concerns or ideas for improvement, please go to the source first, then consider speaking with school admin.

Only Add Information That is Closely Related To School: Please do not post advertisements or notices to ParentSquare about events or activities that are not directly related to school or what is being studied in your child’s classroom. If you have a classified or non-school related announcement, please use the Community Board (ParentSquare –> Participate –> Groups –> “Join”) to post information.

Teachers are with students, preparing for students, or planning lessons most of the school day. Please expect 24-48 hours during the school week before receiving an email response. We ask our teachers not to email over the weekend, so they have time to recharge. Please keep in mind that our teachers may, on any given day, be emailing with a dozen parents or more. Our school tries as much as possible to keep our teacher’s energies focused on our students and in the classroom. Thank you for your understanding! 

Communication Guidelines

• If you have question is about your student or classroom curriculum, the first place to go is your child’s classroom teacher (lower school) or advisor (middle school).
• If your email to a staff member is more than a few sentences and/or covers more than a logistical issue, consider setting up time for a meeting or phone conversation.
• Park Day School maintains an open-door policy, and we all want to be able to address parent/guardian questions or concerns. To best solve any issues that arise and out of respect for all members of our community, we encourage all members to “go to the source” when something happens, and avoid the temptation to share information with others. A school free of gossip and misinformation is a safer and happier place for adults and students.

Tips from Common Sense Media:

• Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning
• Tools to Help Kids Stay Focused During Distance Learning
• Free Educational Apps, Games, and Websites
• 17 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused
• Brain Breaks & Boosts for Younger Children
• Parent Tips & Tricks for Distance Learning
• Homework Help

Tips from Common Sense Media:

• 6 Ways to Support Kids’ Mental Health Right Now
• Tips and Scripts for Managing Screen Time When School is Online
• Explaining the News to Our Kids
• Meditation Apps for Kids
• Device-Free Dinners
• Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance
• Movement Apps, Games, and Websites
• Kids’ Mental Health Tech Tools, Coping Skills, and Professional Help for