Dear Prep Students and Parents, I hope that this email finds you well. I am writing to update you on where things stand at present here at Prep and to share the current outline for our plans moving forward. It is important to remember that this is a very dynamic situation and everyone needs to keep an eye out for changes, which we will continue to communicate via email. If you have been following the news today, you have probably heard that the governor is asking schools to shut down for an extended period of time. This is the scenario we have been preparing for. And while we are sad to see such a dramatic change take place to the last part of our school year, I can assure you that your teachers are all very excited and anxious to connect with you starting Thursday. Here are the essentials you need to know to get ready. Communication - Email is our most reliable way to get in touch with everyone. We will use email to communicate anything of significance to parents and students. It is important for everyone, especially students, to manage their inboxes effectively.
- For students, Canvas will be the other central means of communication for your teachers. Students should be reviewing Canvas for updates a couple of times each day starting tomorrow. The frequency of Canvas usage will increase once we begin our formal online learning schedule Thursday morning.
- Faculty will also be using a variety of other tools to work with students, including different video conferencing options for class conversations, office hours, or small group meetings. How teachers use those tools will vary and details about their use will be communicated to students via Canvas or email.
- Students or parents who need to get in touch with teachers, staff, or administrators should use email. If you have a concern or issue and you're not sure who is best to reach out to, it is always a good idea to start with your counselor and Mr. Brown. They will be able to assist you.
Building Access and Gathering Personal Belongings - Students did a very good job of accessing the building to gather their things today. They sanitized their hands, gathered all their materials quickly and quietly, and did not linger or engage in unnecessary conversations. Mr. Brown was present at the entrance throughout the day to greet students and talk them through the basics as they came in.
- As of 5:00 p.m. today, we plan to use the same system tomorrow. Students should enter through the Sullivan Center doors, sanitize their hands, gather ALL of their things, and exit the building without lingering or congregating in groups. Students will be able to access the building from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
- Anyone who has been asked to quarantine, who has traveled to a significant hotspot, or who has any symptoms of an illness, should email Mr. Brown and he will make arrangements to get you your things. If you or a family member is ill, you should not, under any circumstances, come to school.
- After Tuesday, the entire campus will be strictly off-limits to all students until further notice. We do not know when that will be, but expect it to be several weeks and possibly even through the rest of the school year. Please do not leave anything that is significant behind. After Tuesday we will not have any faculty or staff here to assist you.
Next Steps - Faculty members have been working very hard to create new and engaging ways to do school online. We have made a great deal of progress over the last few days and we feel confident that we can continue to advance everyone through their academics in a meaningful way. However, there will be some bumps in the road, especially as we get started. We will continue to tweak and modify our approach as needed.
- Tomorrow I will email all of you again with an update that includes instructions on how to engage in a short video conference with your counselor on Wednesday. I would ask all students to download the Zoom app and to log into it using your Prep Gmail account. If you want, you can practice video conferencing with your friends. We will be using this app for the counselor meetings. Please note that this is a change in platforms from what I told you in my last email. We have decided to use Zoom, not Google Meet for these conferences.
- If everything goes well tomorrow and Wednesday, we will begin our first day of scheduled online learning on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. with an A-Day schedule. Teachers will be using this day to get everything up and running and to troubleshoot technical issues that might come up.
I want you to know that your teachers will be taking a slow approach initially to make sure things go as smoothly as possible. If you need help at all or have any uncertainty, you should feel comfortable sharing your concerns with your teacher and/or counselor. We are all here to help you succeed. At the same time, we will need your patience and your help to make this a successful venture. Your teachers will appreciate any constructive feedback you have to offer. Please know of my continued prayers for you and your families and remember all of the teachers and staff here at Prep in your prayers, as well. AMDG, Mr. Jim Bopp Head of School 7400 Western Ave Omaha, NE 68114 |