Overview

Bay View will use two formats for student learning, synchronous and asynchronous. 

Synchronous takes place when an entire class, or small groups within a class, meet together at the same time. We know how important relationships are in learning, and these sessions will be used primarily to connect with each other in a meaningful way and to give student support on their work. 

Asynchronous learning occurs with teacher-to-student and student-to-student interactions, but not in real time. It relies on discussion boards (both written and video), email, notes, reading assignments, video clips, or problem sets to name a few. This format provides flexibility for the student and tasks them to organize their time well.

Synchronous	Asynchronous
Two-way communication and interaction; when collaboration and brainstorming are helpful or needed: Breakout groups/live discussion Polling your audience Live assessments of mastery—can be one-on-one or small groups with breakout rooms Fun sessions—a game hour, for example, for students to socialize	One-way communication; when feedback can be provided after the fact or no feedback is necessary: A short lesson by an instructor Short presentations given by students that can be viewed at a later time Posted assignments that are completed by students and uploaded for instructor feedback

 

Bay View is using Virtual Learning as an opportunity to reinforce practices that deepen student learning and engagement. Our plan commits to the premises of Jal Mehta, author of In Search of Deeper Learning. In a recent interview he noted,

“Intrinsic motivation matters more in the online space, and thus there is more of a premium on finding tasks which engage students’ interests and curiosities. Meanwhile, students have significantly more open time, which is well-suited to project-based learning where student work in a more focused way to produce a product or explore an interesting question. For older kids, COVID-19 can be a lens through which you can learn math, politics, public health, human behavior and much more.”

It is against this challenge that we will monitor and continuously improve our Virtual Learning Plan. Bay View has reviewed and improved its Virtual Learning Plan and have incorporated the following items:

• At the start of the 2020–21 school year, every student K–12 will have a device to support her learning. The Lower School students (K–5) will purchase Chromebooks. Middle and Upper School students will either have iPads or use a device of their own choosing. This is a new approach at Bay View to provide families choice.
• The campus has upgraded its wireless capacity in order to accommodate the increased demand for connectivity.
• An integrated platform, Google Classroom, will be used campus-wide so that communication and a single-site learning platform will assist students, families and teachers in a flexible educational model.
• We invested in technology to support the filming of instruction in classrooms. The livestreaming of instruction will provide opportunities for students who are at home due to quarantine, illness or by choice to continue to participate in school.
• Professional learning is planned for families and students at the start of the school year to ensure that they are comfortable using the technology during virtual learning.
• Faculty have and will continue to take stock of what we have learned this year and improve teaching and learning for the upcoming school year.

Tips for Parents and Guardians to Support Students

• Establish a regular schedule for your daughter(s) based on the recommendations developed by the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.
• Create a study space that is conducive to learning and is free from distraction.
• Be sure to read all school communications. This is an event that is evolving constantly, and it will be important to stay abreast of any changes that may occur. All past and current family communications will be available for viewing any time through the Family Portal (check your email or contact Kirsten Hammann for portal login information). Please check the portal regularly for the latest information.
• Encourage independence but recognize that this format may be challenging for your daughter. 
• Assist your daughter in maintaining contact with friends virtually or through social interactions that comply with CDC-recommended social distancing measures. 
• Encourage physical activity to provide balance, stress relief and time away from screens.

Making Changes

Should a student decide that she wants to move to a different learning model she would need her parents/guardians to send a request to Ms. Cummings or Ms. Gribbin indicating which model they would like. Requests are due by the 5th of the month and will go into effect on the 15th of the same month, or the first school day after the 15th. Families are able to change once per semester, except in the case of extenuating circumstances.

Back to the main Reopening Plan page.