Leaders in Franklin, MA, created a video with welcome-back messages that walk students through the day, explain new behavior expectations and provide an example of what schools will look and feel like for students.
Franklin Public Schools created this video to welcome students and families back to in-person learning for the 2020-2021 school year after switching to remote learning due to the pandemic.
Peirce School’s PTO organized an event where families and students came out to write chalk messages thanking teachers for preparing classrooms and other learning spaces to be safe for the return to in-person instruction.
Principal Josh Otlin sent weekly updates to parents and students during the lead-up to reopening their school building in the fall of 2020. This is the newsletter that went out the week before school reopened and includes the explanations of the switch to the 4×4 schedule, procedures when in the building, expectations on remote days.
My Tech High offers student interest-based clubs led by club advisors and parents, held either by semester or in six-week mini-clubs. This resource offers a closer look at each of these clubs and what they entail for students in grades K-12.
ASU Prep Digital offers a variety of social activities for their community, including clubs, family events, special interest groups, and more. This resource shares some examples of various types of activities including movie nights, science fairs, virtual yoga, coffee chats with the principal, and more.
Laurel Springs School has developed a robust social community for students to connect with each other and share interests, talents, and passions. This resource outlines clubs, virtual field trips, and the monthly social community calendar.
My Tech High hires parent support specialists to assist parents, families, and caregivers in their students’ online educational journeys. The specialists offer daily Q&A sessions, Monday through Friday, as well as ongoing information sessions on a multitude of topics. They also respond to parent emails, including those received at night between the hours of 10 PM and midnight.
Every staff member at Taos Academy, from instructional staff to administrative personnel, receives this script with questions to ask their assigned families. Staff members call 10 to 15 families prior to the start of the school year to set them up with supports and prepare them to engage in the school year successfully.
Teachers at ASU Prep Digital call each of their students’ families at the beginning of the school to learn more about the student’s interests, hobbies, and goals, as well as ways they can support the student to be successful in school. The model above outlines some of the questions that teachers are trained to ask families and students.
