We are pleased to report that by the second week of March, we expect to have over 90% of our faculty fully vaccinated. The local and state metrics for community spread are at their lowest levels since early October. We are ready to expand our in-person hybrid model.
Beginning March 15, all students in PK-Grade 4 will be allowed on campus for in-person instruction 5 days per week. Friday (half day) classes will begin for all students as well. By April, we will evaluate the possibility of bringing all students in Grades 5-8 back to campus 5 days per week for in-person learning.
As I shared previously, what will remain constant throughout this school year will be the health and safety measures put in place and students will have the option to remain virtual. Social distancing, cleaning protocols, air quality, handwashing, and masking will all continue to be observed. Students will continue to be in their pods and not switch or regroup for classes. The safety measures in place will continue to be paramount in our efforts to bring back more students and remain open.
Please continue to review the information outlined on this page on our website as well as read all communications sent from the school.
The Woods Academy campus and buildings are open to all faculty, staff, and students for in-person learning with health, hygiene, and protection measures in place. This scenario would happen if local COVID-19 transmission levels were reduced and allowed for safe re-entry to school, with safety measures continuing to be in place as determined by our state and local jurisdictions. Social distancing measures would still be in place and we would have instructional plans for any student unable to attend in-person.
Bimodal instruction would be provided for all students in grades K-8 that are not able to attend school in person for whatever reason. Core subjects (math, English, social studies, science, world languages) would be delivered synchronously with the regularly scheduled class through Zoom or Google Meet. Asynchronous work would be provided for all other academic subjects through Google Classroom. Students will be expected to be “in class” for synchronous classes. Parents choosing this option will do so by (month/trimester- we are evaluating these options). There will be limited synchronous instruction for M4 (Owls) and Kindergarten students. All M3 instruction will be asynchronous in this model.
The Woods Academy campus and buildings would be open to faculty, staff, and students with limitations on the number of people allowed on campus due to size restrictions and guidelines. Schedules would be created where students would rotate between in school and out of school instruction. New technology has been upgraded and would be implemented to allow for more synchronous instruction in core subject areas (math, English, social studies, science, world languages). This model would occur if there were an increase in transmission in our area that warranted such restrictions on numbers and space and potentially defined by our state and local authorities.
The Hybrid Model we have designed for The Woods Academy is as follows: Montessori Preschool (M3, M4, and K) as well as Grade 1 will all come to school, full day in person for 4.5 days a week. Students will be spaced at least 6 feet apart and be required to wear masks. Students would remain in their cohorts throughout the day. All social distancing and health check rules will remain in effect. Grades 2-8 will be divided into two groups (Woods Group and Owls Group) and only one group at a time (no more than 50% of maximum capacity) will be on campus for in-person instruction. Class sizes will range from 6-9 students. All social distancing and health check rules will remain in effect. Students will remain in their cohorts throughout the day.
The two-week rotating schedule for Grades 2-8 will go as follows:
Week 1
Group 1 (Woods) learning in-person Monday through Thursday with Group 2 (Owls) learning at home virtually. Friday will be an asynchronous class day for all students with morning check-ins among teachers and students, and teacher prep and meeting time in the afternoon.
Week 2
Group 2 (Owls) learning in-person Monday through Thursday with Group 1 (Woods) learning at home virtually. Friday will be an asynchronous class day for all students with morning check-ins among teachers and students, and teacher prep and meeting time in the afternoon.
Our plan accounts for equity and allows students to experience all appropriate classes live in an equal manner over a two week period. Our current academic schedule will largely remain the same. Cohorts of students throughout all grades have been established which will help maximize safety measures. All students choosing to stay at home will be able to attend synchronous classes. Some classes, specials and world languages, will be taught virtually with occasional in-person sessions.
The Woods Academy campus and facilities are closed and we are delivering instruction through our distance learning program for all. We continue to update our platforms, digest feedback, and provide professional development to our faculty and staff in the event that this model is required. Synchronous and asynchronous schedules would be created for students by division to receive proper instruction and engagement on a daily basis. Core subjects (math, English, social studies, science, world languages) would be prioritized around synchronous learning. Teachers are going through additional professional development on building community and curriculum in a distance learning environment. Please see our updated Community Guide to Distance Learning here. This model would occur if transmission levels were higher in our area and health and safety guidance (medical, state, local authorities) determined this course of action is warranted and needed.
We will continue to educate ourselves on the best practices and consult with medical/facility experts to prepare. We will remain vigilant and nimble, ready to adjust our approach as the context requires. We will also remain calm and composed as we model the behaviors we want our children to see.
We have upgraded protocols to make this environment as safe as possible with layers of protection for all. We will continue to educate ourselves on the best practices and consult with medical/facility experts to prepare.
We know that not being in school can create huge academic and social emotional losses for our children.
The Woods is committed to making these meaningful changes to routines and procedures for in-person instruction to protect one another and our community when it is safe to do so.
We will be ready to implement any our our learning scenarios (or combination of them) to start the 2020-2021 school year.
When safe, in-person instruction for children (PK-8) provides the best pedagogy along with the most optimal environment for learning and social-emotional growth.
We will have instructional plans for all students in grades K-8 that are not able to attend school in person for whatever reason.
We have a clear plan and guidelines to ensure our community is kept as safe as possible.
Woods families and staff are expected to familiarize themselves with these protocols so they know how to respond if they - or those close to them - are known to have been exposed to COVID-19.
We are committed to ensuring we consult with all relevant experts and authorities.
Throughout the planning for our campus reopening we have consulted and liaised with numerous organizations, authorities, and experts to inform our decision making process.
The key resources are listed below for your reference.
The Woods Academy Distance Learning Plan is designed to help students and teachers stay connected with one another and to support students’ continued growth and development.
We have gathered some resources to help our community navigate the uncertainty, foster the well-being of every student, and enjoy new learning opportunities together.