Guiding Principles

Our schedule for the distance learning model was determined as a result of significant research, discussions, and surveys among stakeholders, including teachers, staff, students, and parents. Our faculty’s experience and learnings from the spring term were invaluable in this process. In addition to health and safety, we sought to address concerns about instructional time, students’ emotional health, equity, and the personal bonds that characterize the Bay community. Know that we are listening and ready to respond to feedback.

We kept at the center of our discussions the following principles:

The safety and well-being of our entire community—students, their families, our staffulty—is paramount. We will continue to work under the guidance of local, state, and federal public health recommendations, while assessing our own readiness to return to in-person learning.

In searching for the best adaptation to the “normal” Bay experience, we have considered myriad schedule models, focusing on the following features:

Instructional hours that maintain academic rigor and align with a regular school term while providing the spaciousness that gives teachers pedagogical flexibility and time to build connections with students Sustainability and equity in the experiences of students and teachers Alignment with The Bay School mission, philosophy, and precepts Ability to smoothly pivot between in-building, low-density in-building, and distance learning Schedule consistency

These are central to the educational experience at Bay. Distance learning provides challenges and opportunities for all of us to reimagine how we stay connected. The new fall schedule allows us to: Re-establish community traditions and routines like Morning Meeting, advisory, and club meetings Continue to connect learning to what is going on in the world

Provide ample opportunity for student-teacher engagement

The Bay School’s mission and precepts are at the heart of all we do. The schedules on the following pages represent our best efforts to reshape Bay’s unique program for the exigencies of this moment.