Grades 6-12

Note: The following information pertains to distance learning enacted because of campus restrictions or closure. Families who intentionally enrolled in distance learning will receive direction regarding their program from their teachers.

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When campus is temporarily closed or students are attending in BT's hybrid on-campus/distance learning model, teachers continue to provide learning materials and activities that maintain the planned curriculum for students learning on campus or at home. Learning continues to emphasize collaboration, inquiry, response, practice, and creativity. These activities involve both technology and materials readily available at home. 

Online learning is intended to provide learning and assessment opportunities that follow the current written Standards of Excellence in order to maintain learning and readiness for internal and external assessments.

BT students follow the classes and times as listed on their student schedule.  A four-day rotation will be followed. 

Our Approach

• Learning materials are shared via Veracross and Google Classroom.
• Learning activities are engaging using a variety of technology resources.
• Learning activities may be completed:
  • Independently online.
  • Collaboratively online, via chat, video conference, or other collaborative tools.
• Learning engagements have a number of purposes:
  • Allow students to engage with new learning.
  • Practice, discuss, or apply learning.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills in relation to learning.
• Learning connects to current units and themes.
• Assessment tasks enable students to demonstrate their understanding.

Daily Routines

Students

Students are expected to participate in all classes and activities. Each student will be required to follow these expectations:

• Establish a daily routine to support learning.
• Students will need to be in full daily uniform when attending class via Zoom.
• Students are required to log into the Zoom link five minutes before class begins and wait in the waiting room for their teacher.
• Students must be on mute the entire time unless they need to ask questions or are participating in a group discussion. 
• Students must have their cameras on so that the teacher can connect with the student when needed.
• Students should identify a comfortable, quiet space where they can work effectively and successfully.
• Students should choose a learning location that is suitable to be seen by classmates and teachers when using video tools.

When the camera is on, keys to success include:

• Stable iPads. Refrain from moving the iPad or laptop around. Using a frame holder is a great way to ensure iPads are steady. 
• Sitting attentively. Minimize how much you move around and sit in a school appropriate location at a desk or table.
• Keeping pets out of the frame. We love your animals, but their cuteness can distract from learning.
• Dress appropriately. In addition to being in uniform, you are asked to not cover up with blankets and to keep the hoods of your hoodies down. 
• No eating during class. Finish all snacks and meals prior to class.

Class and work expectations are as follows:

• Check your email and Veracross Student Portal frequently.
• Participate in daily Zoom classes as outlined in the schedule.
• Complete work on which you can receive feedback (either online or during the next class meeting, as indicated in instructions).
• Participate in all online learning activities with your classmates as directed.
• Complete assessment tasks.
• Communicate proactively with your teachers. Ask questions but be patient when waiting for a response. 
• If a teacher emails you, respond in a timely manner. You can use email or, if permitted by your teacher, Zoom.
• Communicate with your friends and classmates regularly.
• Keep your iPad or laptop with you when traveling.
• Be mindful of your workload and wellbeing. If you have any concerns, contact your teacher, advisor, House dean, or counselor.

• If you experience any technical problems, email BT's technology team at techteam@brownell.edu.

Families

• Ask questions, talk about learning, upcoming deadlines, and workload.
• Help your child develop daily routines.
• Be a support for your child and allow them to go through the learning process independently.
• Help identify a quiet learning space that is near Wifi routers.
• Encourage your child to take study breaks and to take part in physical exercise.
• Be mindful of your child’s wellbeing; speak to them regularly about concerns or challenges.
• Communicate any concerns t your child's teacher, advisor, House dean or counselor via email. 
• Choose a learning location that is suitable to be seen by classmates and teachers if students are using video tools.
• Create opportunities for your child to interact with classmates to maintain connections with their school community.
• If there are siblings simultaneously online, choose locations that do not cause noise interference when recording learning or video conferencing.

Teachers

• Post learning materials in Veracross for the lessons scheduled that day by 9:00 am.
• Plan learning activities that are easily understood and implemented by students.
• Provide learning activities that include time away from devices.
• Provide reflection and feedback in the process of posting student learning on Google Classroom.
• Be available via email to answer questions about the activities, as needed from 8:00 am to 3:45 pm.
• Post summative assessments on the Veracross Assignment calendar so colleagues, students, and parents can all see them and plan workload accordingly.
• Provide 24 hours' notice of any face-to-face sessions via Zoom.
• Follow the current BT assessment practices, including advance notice for assessments.

School Counselor

• Support classroom teachers with social emotional learning.
• Serve as support for students and families. 
• Host office hours at set times for families and students to access counseling sessions virtually if required.
• Support teachers to provide students with wellbeing activities.

Learning and Curriculum Coordinator

• Collaborate with the subject or classroom teachers in order to plan for students on their caseload.
• Scaffold, modify, or differentiate activities, as necessary, for students based on their workload.
• Communicate regularly with students and their parents about students’ workload to ensure they have success with tasks.
• Provide supplementary learning activities for students based on their workload, who may benefit from additional practice to support their individual needs.

Library Media Specialist

• Collaborate with colleagues to find resources for high-quality learning experiences and research.
• Regularly check in with classroom teachers to identify ways to support the design of learning experiences.
• Be available for teachers as needed to support the development of rich learning engagements.
• Continually monitor the needs of teachers, students, and parents and troubleshoot their challenges, as needed.
• Be available in person or remotely to provide on-demand tech support help for teachers.