Wishing all you boarding school families good health and strength in these stressful days. <3
SMS extended to May. The HOS states the situation was fluid but he did not want to take away the opportunity for VI form traditions and graduation just yet.
We are just trying to figure out how we are supposed to get DSs books/notes, etc home so he can continue his courses and how are lab courses going to be completed?
I picture fires, white smoke and us standing out in the yard.
?
@buuzn03…I got the same feeling from Cate when they extended to May. They aren’t quite ready to say the year is over.
My kid has missed this second half of school with her medical leave and now this. It makes me so sad.
@buuzn03 - we are wondering about lab, also. We just received an update that grades will be pass-fail. There are many things kiddo is learning about the epidemiology algorithm.
@msc3173 I’m so sorry. This will be an interesting year for all of us. Especially to see how colleges handle this with applications for juniors, like my kid.
So I don’t have a dog in this fight, but can I say how much I hate switches to grading p/f? There are kids who are really applying themselves and who NEEDED the higher grades they were earning to show an upward trend who have now lost that.
This just feels like a cop out on everyone’s part, teachers and students. Sure, it’s a challenge. But sure, they can rise to it. No need to grade on a curve, and it may require some creativity and leniency. But figure it out. This is why you are paying tuition!
@gardenstategal … I agree about the grades. It really does screw all the kids that were needing them.
There are now SO many schools going to P/F around the country - that I am not sure how this will impact the admissions process and also academic preparedness. Sending prayers to all of you to stay safe and hoping you all have your kiddos home with you now.
Has anyone on here started their online learning yet? Kiddo received an email from teachers last night @ references to their text book, calculator, and assigned books - all of which are in the dorm room. Off to Office Depot or Target to buy a new graphing calculator $$.
Please let us know how the online learning is going…should we start a new thread “Boarding School Online Learning Spring 2020”?
Yes we should. We were told to bring home all books and supplies for March break “in case” so hopefully my kids have all their things! One starts next week.
That was good planning @one1ofeach ! Only one teacher told Kiddo’s class that - half jokingly. Kiddo’s been home since March 6th. No books. Just computer. Luckily, one course has the textbook online.
@Golfgr8 our son came home from college around the same time for spring break. Brought a backpack full of clothes and no school stuff. Last week before things got to crazy, we had to run to Marshall’s and buy him new everything. Of course, he left his dorm room a disaster as well. His college initially said everyone could leave their rooms set up for the term, but abruptly changed course and asked everyone to come within a 3 day turnaround to clear them out. As we are across the country, we are still working with them to box/ ship his things. Our daughter - a college freshman, just got her online class schedule and she has class starting at 6am on the west coast in order to accommodate all the international students- it was the only option. These are certainly interesting times.
DS starts next week. He was not told to bring home school stuff so, of course, he has nothing but his laptop (and can share DS2’s calculator as needed). He also has very limited clothes, but we’re only 90 minutes away for whenever we’re allowed to go and pack up.
DS2 starts his online learning with his LDS tomorrow. So far specific communication from teachers has been very limited and he has only one class “meeting” for this week scheduled. So I guess a lot of self-study.
Hi @vegas1 - WOW - you have two in college now? Yes - we also have kids overseas in some classes and they have adjusted class times it seems.
@CTMom21 - I have done an informal phone survey among parents from different schools (boarding schools and day schools) and we all agree that there needed to be more communication from the school during the past couple of weeks. We have all received one or two emails @ the “situation is fluid, rapidly evolving, need to be flexible, etc”. However, I think it would have also been nice to have some platform for discussion (other than each kid going on Instagram or Snapchat every 2.8 seconds) checking in with each other, having a virtual dorm meeting, hall or advisory meeting…something to sustain the sense of community as we head into online learning. Yes - I do realize that the BS staff have either been on vacation (also) or jumping through hoops to do virtual Revisits, and get the newly accepted students on board.
DS has only his laptop, but the school is retrieving his things to mail to him. Students within driving distance were given time slots to pick up necessary belongings for online learning. They start Monday.
DD started online today. Not enough alcohol in this house for Type A people to deal with “asynchronous learning”. When both of them are attempting it next week, we may need padded cells.
@buuzn03, that’s what I am fully expecting in our household next week! I mean, there’s a reason we chose BS…I needed it as much for my Type A tendencies as DS. We had a family meeting yesterday about expectations, etc. DS has told me he will take my car and find a place outside to do his work. I don’t know what he has in mind but honestly, whatever works.
@CTMom21 I think the BS will be a bit better…at least DS’s classes will be via zoom and they’ll have to sign in according to schedules.
DD’s are pre-done…so, haphazard at best. She finished everything in 2 hours but I don’t think she got anything out of it.
Dd started today. I could instantly see the change in her after seeing classmates and a couple of teachers. She has been out of school for two months so definitely feeling isolated.
I have to buy the novel they are reading and am terrified that a graphing calculator will follow. ??♀️ She didn’t bring anything home because no one thought all this would be happening when we left in January.
If you do need a calculator you may want to ask around your neighborhood network to see if someone will lend or give you one. Once our kids graduated they left behind graphing calculators no one will ever use.