Distance-Learning Model

Here are a few highlights of our distance learning model:

• Each day begins with an audio screen cast of Morning Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, announcements and birthday wishes by our Principal, just like a normal school day.
• Our entire middle school of 90+ students also comes together every morning in a Google video conference for prayer and announcements, then are dismissed for their interactive video class or self-guided work that they later submit via a dedicated e-workspace.
• Our fifth grade Literacy teacher writes “Reading Response Letters” to all 32 of her students to engage with each of them in a personal way about their independent reading.
• Teachers are holding small-group “Book Clubs” and class discussions.
• Kindergarten teachers provide a weekly toolkit for parents with activity choice boards and a menu of ideas, pictures, links to videos of her reading stories and morning meeting lessons.
• Throughout the day, our youngest students use an e-resource that they are already familiar with to upload their work and receive feedback from their teacher in real time. And, on “Fun Fridays” our little ones have the opportunity to interact with each other during a Zoom game.
• Art, music and even daily workouts are included in each grade level schedule.
• Reading support for students with special needs is continuing via video conference.
• Teachers provide time each day for parent consultation by email, phone and video conference to support them in guiding their children’s learning at home.
• Students are even continuing instrumental lessons via video conference.
• Some teachers have also created closed Facebook pages to allow parents to inspire one another and share homeschooling experiences.
• And, most impressive of all, our teachers are supporting each other across levels and disciplines to assure that excellence continues in new and creative ways while we’re not in our brick-and-mortar building.

Thanks to donor support over the years, St. Robert School was already equipped with technology and an outstanding faculty that embraces innovation in their daily practice, so we were able to adjust and transform the educational model to a virtual one very quickly — actually in a matter of just a few days.