MS remote learning requires two-week commitment

In his column this week, Head of Middle School Jeff Greenfield outlines the protocols for Middle School students participate in remote learning.
Having been back in person for several weeks, we've learned what works best when it comes to how remote learning integrates with in-person learning in the same classroom, at the same time. We've chosen to allow those learning from home to live Zoom into classrooms, a change from our initial plan to record and upload classes for remote students to watch later.  

Despite the added load of planning and juggling multiple modalities concurrently for in-person and remote learners, our faculty embrace the challenge. They feel that the academic and social-emotional benefits for students learning remotely in real-time are worth it and help limit the degree to which remote learning is a diminished version of their classes.

Given our teachers’ careful preparation of lesson plans to accommodate both remote and in-person students simultaneously, we would like to provide them with a stable classroom and a reliable number of remote students to ensure continuity of learning for all students.  To achieve this, we are asking that students who wish to learn remotely begin doing so for at least two weeks at a time. No longer will it be permissible for a student to drop-in remotely for a day or two. 

To clarify, we will provide remote learning for students who are staying home for two weeks or more for the following reasons:

  • If a family chooses the remote option for precautionary health measures
  • If a student tests positive for COVID-19
  • If a student is exposed to a positive case and required to quarantine

In consultation with our Health Team and the Middle School Administrative Team, there are a few circumstances that would allow a student to join us remotely for a period shorter than two weeks:

  • If a student is evaluating symptoms as identified in the Magnus app and working in concert with our Health Team to determine the best time to return
  • If a student, parent, or sibling is waiting on a test result
  • If the school asks a cohort to remain home for COVID-19-related reasons, such as cleaning and disinfecting classrooms

Beginning Monday, November 9, all students who have been learning remotely for reasons that do not fall within the above parameters need to make a family decision about whether or not you would like to stay enrolled in remote learning for at least the next two weeks. Please communicate that decision via email to your grade-level administrative liaison, who will notify all academic teachers so they will know what to expect:


After Monday, November 9, please allow a 24-hour period once you have emailed your grade-level administrative liaison named above before transitioning from in-person to remote learning so our teachers can prepare adequately. Again, any student who chooses the remote-learning model must commit to learning from home for at least two weeks.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding in these difficult times as we continue to refine our program to best meet the needs of all learners and to provide the right support for our faculty. If you have any questions, please reach out to your grade-level administrative liaison.
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