Safe and Together BEST: Bringing Everyone Safely Together Return to School Plan, 2020-21
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Mission Driven ● Fenwick’s mission is student-centered, character-driven, faith-based, and college-focused
Mission Driven
● The safety, health, and wellbeing of our students, families, faculty, and staff are sacred and non-negotiable ● Our Fenwick Family is rooted in relationship; the human connection, both in person and online, is essential; human connection is both social and spiritual ● Fenwick BEST is our plan to Bring Everyone Safely Together
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Fenwick BEST ● Bringing: the emphasis is on process; this will take time; it will be phased-in thoughtfully; it will not occur all-at-once
Fenwick BEST
● Everyone: we are inclusive; this plan attempts to address the needs of all the members of our Fenwick community ● Safely: safety is our first priority; the health and wellbeing of our people is not only critical and essential, it is sacred ● Together: we want to be in-person and on-campus; this is the essence of the Fenwick experience; this will be our goal
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Guiding Principles ● Education is an essential service: our young people need--and deserve--the very best education possible ● The starting point for Fenwick BEST is creating conditions
Guiding Principles
whereby all students can be on campus, having the Fenwick experience in person ● Fenwick BEST is flexible and adaptable: the plan shifts easily from Fully On Campus to Hybrid/Alternating Day to Fully Online ● Fenwick BEST honors our holistic approach: we seek to educate the whole person, which requires engagement in academics, arts, athletics, and an array of co-curricular activities.
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Return-to-School Planning Team
Return-to-School Planning Team
● Our Return-to-School Planning Team was formed in early June and has been meeting consistently throughout the summer; the group has been continually reviewing guidelines, monitoring recommendations, and developing models based on multiple scenarios ● Our Return-to-School Planning Team is comprised of: ● Chris Canniff, Theology Chair ● Jason Ek, Business Manager ● Jennifer Faragi, School Nurse ● Cecilia Marquez, Principal ● John Meehan, Facility Director ● Tom Nunan, President ● Chris Russell, Technology Director ● Jodi Vigneron, Communication Director ● Dave Woods, Athletic Director
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Listening to Parents and Caregivers ● Over 80% of respondents are very confident or somewhat confident that Fenwick can return to in-person learning
July Survey: Listening to Parents and Caregivers
● Nearly 60% of respondents seek a fully in-person model and
25% of respondents support a hybrid model; it is clear that some on-campus learning is a major priority ● Over 75% of respondents stated they would not choose a fully online option if Fenwick can resume in-person learning ● Over 75% of respondents were somewhat positive or very positive about starting orientation programs before Labor Day ● Over 74% of respondents were somewhat positive or very
positive about moving to a trimester academic calendar
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● Safety First ● Phased Return to Fenwick
Returning to Fenwick
● Campus Operations
● Academic Life ● Co-Curriculars ● Communications
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Fundamentals ● Fenwick BEST satisfies and often exceeds the CDC and DESE safety guidelines and recommendations ● Fenwick is fortunate to have a spacious, expansive campus and myriad teaching/learning spaces
Safety First: Fundamentals
● Fenwick BEST involves multiple layers/levels of protection, realizing that no measure or set of measures can guarantee zero spread ● We acknowledge, accept, and anticipate that COVID-19 may
appear in our School and/or that the Commonwealth may require all schools to employ exclusively online learning; we are continually preparing for these possibilities, knowing that effective, timely, and transparent communication is critical
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Parent & Caregiver -- July Surveys
Safety First: Parent & Caregiver -July Surveys
● The following safety measures were seen as Mandatory or Recommended by a strong majority of respondents: ● Providing hand sanitizer in all classrooms (99%) ● Allowing students with complicating health issues to learn remotely (98%) ● Notifying community of COVID-19 cases (95%) ● Limiting Visitors on Campus (87%) ● Wearing masks at all times (74%)
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Essential Practices ● Masks: all students will be required to wear a mask during the school day; the exceptions will be at lunch and in designated “break” areas (mostly outside) where more than 6’ of social distancing is in place
Safety First: Essential Practices
● Handwashing and Hand Sanitizer: students are encouraged to wash their hands frequently and to use the hand sanitizer available in all classrooms, restrooms, and main spaces ● Social Distancing: we are striving to utilize 6’ social
distancing throughout the campus, recognizing that in some classrooms, 4.5’ social distancing is necessary; we are going beyond the 3’ social distancing allowed by CDC ● Face-Shields and Plexiglass for Faculty: teachers have the
option of using a face shield in addition to their masks; they will also have plexiglass shields in front of their desks 10
Student Protocols ● Health Screening Form: this must be completed and submitted on the first day of orientation; the form is found on our website ● Please update the School Nurse immediately with any health
Safety First: Student Protocols
changes, particularly in regard to symptoms ● Please keep your student home if he/she is experiencing
symptoms, feeling sick, or has a fever ● Continue discussing and emphasizing good personal hygiene
with your student, stressing the importance of: ● Washing hands ● Wearing a mask ● Practicing safe social distance ● FAQ’s: for answers to a variety of COVID-19 related
questions, please consult the PowerPoint on our website 11
School Day â—? Classrooms: classrooms have been de-densified and de-cluttered to maximize social distancing; only the essential tools for teaching and learning remain
Safety First: School Day
â—? Transitions: transitions between classes will involve one-way single-file lines in corridors, one-way staircases (for the narrow ones), and staggered entry/exit policies â—? Free Periods: we have tried to reduce the number of free periods in order to maximize the time on campus and to minimize the chance of students being with peers outside their grade level; students will be assigned designated places for free periods during the school day
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Student Cohorts and Contact Tracing
Safety First: Student Cohorts & Contact Tracking
● Because our students are fortunate to engage in a variety of “levels” of study, each appropriate for the student in that particular subject/discipline, adopting a strict “cohort” model is neither practical nor desirable ● Where possible, we have tried to create “pods” of students,
grouped by grade level, with classrooms located near each other and transitions lessened somewhat ● Students will have specifically assigned seats in each class in
order to track possible exposure; every effort will be made to have students interact only with peers in the same grade ● Contact Tracing: The school nurse will work closely with the local department of public health; contact tracing will be done by the local department of public health in accordance with CDC regulations 13
Phased Return: Philosophy ● Our goal, as revealed in our plan’s title, is Bringing Everyone Safely Together; we know that having all of our students back on campus is the “best” way for them to experience Fenwick
Phased Return to Fenwick: Philosophy
● We also know that ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of students, families, faculty, and staff is paramount; our people come first; everything we do is with this reality in mind ● We have learned much from our highly successful All Aboard program this week, and undoubtedly, we will learn even more from our Orientation Days; we are proceeding thoughtfully and intentionally to a full return this fall ● We are using a four-week Ramp-Up phase to make certain
that we can welcome all of our students on campus in a manner that is safe for everyone in our Fenwick Family
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Phased Return: Phase 1 -- Orientation ● As noted on our School Calendar, we will host a separate Orientation Day for each grade level the week of August 31
Phased Return to Fenwick: Phase 1 -Orientation
● The goals of this Orientation Program are to welcome students back to campus; to introduce and reconnect students to each other; to review safety protocols and procedures; and to help each student be comfortable and confident in starting the new year ● The particular program for the Orientation Day will be shared later this month, and the schedule is below: ● Monday, August 31: Class of 2021 ● Tuesday, September 1: Class of 2022 ● Wednesday, September 2: Class of 2023 ● Thursday, September 3: Class of 2024 15
Phased Return: Phase 2 -- Ramping Up
Phased Return to Fenwick: Phase 2 -Ramping Up
● It is clear that we all want to be on campus as soon as possible; it is also clear that, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to school in some kind of gradual, measured way is wise, necessary, practical, and prudent ● Phase 2, Ramping Up, which immediately follows Orientation, will begin on Tuesday, 9/8 and conclude on Thursday, 10/1 ● During the 18 school days of the four-week Ramping Up period, all classes will be held each day; students will attend classes on campus and online, on alternating days; we will utilize the technology planned for the Hybrid/Alternate Day Model (see later slides) in order to facilitate virtual learning ● This provides 9 days of in-person learning and 9 days of
online learning for all students; it also gives our team a four-week period to work out all of the details and logistics for a full, safe return to campus on Monday, 10/5 16
Phased Return: Phase 2 -- Ramping Up
Phased Return to Fenwick: Phase 2 -Ramping Up
● Starting with roughly 50% of our students in each classroom and on our campus is necessary in order to get a true feel and sense of how we can best return to full capacity ● The student body will be comprised of two groups, A-K and L-Z, in order to keep siblings on the same schedule; should we need to return to this phase, we will explore other methods of identifying the groups in order to enhance the social and relational experience of our students ● We will use Friday, 10/2, as a Faculty and Staff Professional
Day to evaluate the experience of Phase 2 in preparing for a full return to campus on Monday, 10/5 ● With the exception of those who choose an “all-remote”
option, all students will be able to participate in after-school athletic and co-curricular activities each day 17
Phased Return: Phase 2 -- Ramping Up â—? The rotation will be T/Th one week, then M/W/F the next
week, for one group and vice-versa for the other group
Phased Return to Fenwick: Phase 2 -Ramping Up
A-K
L-Z
Week 1: 9/8 - 9/11
Tues., Thurs.
Wed., Fri.
Week 2: 9/14 - 9/18
Mon., Wed., Fri.
Tues., Thurs.
Week 3: 9/21 - 9/25
Tues., Thurs.
Mon., Wed., Fri.
Week 4: 9/28 - 10/1
Mon., Wed.
Tues., Thurs. 18
Phased Return: Phase 3 -- All on Campus
Phased Return to Fenwick: Phase 3 -All on Campus
â—? We plan to have all students on campus the first week in October; we will be sharing updates on logistics and protocols as this date approaches, knowing that entry/exit procedures, passing times, etc. may have to be adjusted â—? We acknowledge that because of the size of many classrooms and the social distance requirements provided by the health experts, some students will be participating virtually in some classes even while at Fenwick; we will provide safe, appropriate spaces for this virtual learning â—? We remind everyone that this plan is responsive, adaptable, flexible, and subject-to-change; the All on Campus phase is predicated on a variety of critical factors supporting its implementation--from the guidelines of the Commonwealth to the recommendations of the CDC, from the spread of the Coronavirus to the status of our own community 19
Fenwick Tent ● You will see a new 40’ x 100’ tent on the Tennis Courts ● Most of the $28,000 expense was provided by the federal
Campus Operations: Fenwick Tent
ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) Funding ● This multi-purpose outdoor space will: ● Accommodate large groups while practicing social distance ● Host grade-level meetings, workshops, and prayer services ● Allow for students to be together during lunch ● Provide safe spaces to gather before/after school
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Arrival and Departure
Campus Operations: Arrival and Departure
● Our daily schedule has an extended Homeroom to allow for a slower and safer entry to campus each morning ● Students will enter the Academic Building by Grade Level (rotation TBD), proceeding directly to Homeroom or waiting outside (Tent) until entrances/corridors are clear ● Students will not be assigned lockers or have access to
lockers during the school day ● Students will be dismissed by grade level at the end of the
day to ensure safe social distancing at departure
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Lunch
Campus Operations: Lunch Set-Up
● In order to maintain social distance and to provide an enjoyable social experience, we will have three lunch periods ● Lunch will be available in the dining hall (cafeteria), under the
tent, and potentially in other spaces; further details will be shared as the fall approaches ● Students will be seated at 60” round tables, with a maximum
of 4 to a table; t-shaped plexiglass partitions will be installed at each table so that students may take off their masks
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Lunch & Chartwell’s ● Fenwick is partnering with Chartwell’s to create a subscription meal plan. Students would choose from two pre-packaged meals each day for the week. A sample menu is below: ● Monday: Roast Beef & Provolone Bulkie or Chicken Caesar Salad
Campus Operations: Lunch & Chartwell’s
● Tuesday: Italian Sub or Greek Salad ● Wednesday: Turkey Club on Roll or Cobb Salad ● Thursday: Ham & Swiss on Ciabatta Bread or Chef Salad ● Friday: Roast Turkey BLT Pocket or Southwest Salad ● All meals will be completely sealed with fruit, chips, a Fenwick
cookie, and bottled water ● We do not anticipate being able to offer a snack bar. Students
bringing lunch will not have access to microwaves. More details related to Chartwell’s lunch program will be shared in the coming weeks. 23
Limited Access
Campus Operations: Limited Access
● All travel restrictions and quarantines mandated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts apply to Bishop Fenwick ● If you have recently vacationed or traveled out of state,
please consult the MA State website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order ● Fenwick is limiting guests and visitors strictly to essential
services; access to the buildings is only for students, faculty, staff and essential services
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Essential Changes
Campus Operations: Essential Changes
● Water: Per the Board of Health, the water bubblers/fountains are disconnected; students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles; water is also available in the vending machines ● Nurse’s Office: The Nurse’s Office now has an additional “medical waiting room” and will also be prepared to monitor and respond to the health needs of our students ● Restrooms: Access to the restrooms will be monitored and
limited; every other stall/urinal will be disabled to maintain social distance; students may not gather in restrooms ● Interior Doors: All interior corridor and stairwell doors will be
propped open to limit contact with these surfaces
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Cleaning and Disinfecting ● Fenwick has hired a new cleaning company, Brenner Facility Services, that provides superior quality and service; please visit our website to learn more about Brenner
Campus Operations: Cleaning and Disinfecting
● Each night, as in the past, the classrooms, bathrooms,
corridors, offices, and main spaces will be cleaned--this includes everything from removing trash to wiping surfaces ● Additionally, each week the entire school will be disinfected
via electrostatic treatment; additional details regarding specific products will be available on our website ● We are implementing Brenner’s CompuClean system to
measure and evaluate the cleanliness of all spaces; this “report card” will elevate our performance; it will also be shared with our community
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Ventilation and Air Quality
Campus Operations: Ventilation and Air Quality
● The School has an air-handling ventilation/circulation system for drawing inside air out of the building and for bringing at least 10% fresh air into building; this system is functioning in all classrooms and offices in the academic building ● During the winter, the School’s heating system employs unit
ventilators that draw in 10% fresh air from the outside in order to help distribute the heat produced by the forced-hot-water radiators; this system is also functioning ● The School has central cooling/heating in the new main area, the two new learning commons spaces, and the Zampell room; these heating/cooling systems are new--in some cases brand new--are are highly effective/efficient
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Ventilation and Air Quality
Campus Operations: Ventilation and Air Quality
● We are exploring the use of fans in classrooms to draw inside air out of the the building in warmer temperatures; however, given the large size of the classrooms, window fans may not make a significant difference; the current guidelines recommend only fans that can fit securely in windows ● We are working with our HVAC firm to evaluate all systems and make improvements where they are necessary, impactful, and cost-effective; this includes changing filters, testing air quality, cleaning duct work, and adopting a yearly maintenance program ● The air quality in the School, as evidenced by numerous tests
before, during, and after the recent construction process is safe; we are doing additional air quality testing in August
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School Calendar ● The School Calendar can be found on the parent page and Return to School page
Academic Life: School Calendar
● For a helpful summary, the “phases” are noted below: ● Phase 1: Orientation: Monday, 8/31 to Thursday, 9/3 ● Phase 2: Ramping Up: Tuesday, 9/8 to Thursday, 10/1 ● Phase 3: All on Campus: Monday, 10/5
● Additional improvements to the School Calendar include: ● Trimesters instead of Semesters, with no Midterm Exam period ● All classes are year-long so that every class begins in person and is equally affected if we need to move to remote learning
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Daily Schedule: Overview ● Our Daily Schedule for Fenwick BEST is found on the Return to School page on our website
Academic Life: Daily Schedule
● The structure of the Daily Schedule will remain the same for Fully On Campus, Hybrid/Alternate Day, and Fully Online; it will also be in place for Phase 2, Ramping Up ● We have chosen to offer all of our courses, even with the
present challenges, to provide our students with the holistic, well-rounded education that is a hallmark of Fenwick ● For more on the advantages of this Daily Schedule, please
read our Rationale for Fenwick BEST Schedule on the Return to School page
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Daily Schedule: On Campus
Academic Life: Daily Schedule-On Campus
â—? The new Daily Schedule provides a reduced number of periods (from 8 to 7), an extended Homeroom, and additional transition time (from 3 minutes to 5) to ensure that each student feels safe, settled, and secure at Fenwick â—? This Daily Schedule features 45-minute teaching periods; the
50-minute periods we all want are not feasible in the current conditions without extending the end of the day until after 3:00 PM; this schedule allows for regular lunch periods â—? For those classes where safe social distance prohibits all
students from attending live, we will have additional spaces on campus for students to participate virtually; these students will then resume in-person learning the next period
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Daily Schedule: Hybrid/Alternate Day
Academic Life: Daily Schedule-Hybrid/ Alternate Day
● Should we need to transition to a Hybrid/Alternate Day model, students will attend classes in person one day and online the next; all classes will continue at their regular pace with the same level of rigor and support ● Students will be assigned their hybrid/alternate day schedule alphabetically, with one group coming Monday, Wednesday, Friday one week and Tuesday, Thursday the next week--and vice versa for the other group ● Students participating remotely will be able to participate in
the class via Zoom and other technologies, many of which have been tested this week during our All Aboard program for the Class of 2024
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Daily Schedule: Online ● Should Fenwick be required to transition exclusively to remote/virtual learning, the Daily Schedule is found on the Return to School page
Academic Life: Daily Schedule-Online
● All classes will meet each day as in the on-campus schedule, maintaining the regular rhythm and routine that our students need and our families want ● Class periods are shorter (35 minutes) to reduce screen time, and the breaks between classes are longer (15 minutes) to give students and teachers sufficient transition time ● Online etiquette: specific guidelines and protocols are being
developed to ensure that students are fully prepared and present for online learning; these expectations will be included as a revision to our Student/Parent Handbook and sent home soon 33
Classroom Technology Upgrades
Academic Life: Classroom Technology Upgrades
● To provide an online option for students who require it, and to facilitate our Hybrid/Alternate Day model, we have invested in new technologies ● All classrooms will have the capacity for synchronous collaboration on the Zoom platform, which includes a camera and a computer speaker-phone ● We are exploring additional technologies so that the students
in class and the students at home can share more fully and equally in the learning experience
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School Technology Upgrades
Academic Life: School Technology Upgrades
● To empower a more robust online learning experience, particularly with the Hybrid/Alternate Day model, we have significantly upgraded our Internet bandwidth ● This costly upgrade will allow for faster downloads, quicker response time, and a more seamless delivery of instruction ● Fenwick continues to provide the tools of Office 365, which include OneNote (class notebook), Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the OneDrive (for cloud-based document management) to all students
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MyFenwick & Blackbaud ● In an effort to integrate and streamline our various systems and databases, Fenwick is implementing an exciting new Learning Management System (LMS) powered by industry leader Blackbaud
Academic Life: My Fenwick & Blackbaud
● Because Fenwick is student-centered, the impetus for this change was our students: they will have a central hub for all resources, Course Topics pages to enhance learning, and seamless integration with websites such as Turnitin.com ● This upgrade is hugely significant in scope and scale, and will be transformative for our students and families; it provides user-friendly remote access 24/7 via laptop, tablet, or phone for students, parents, faculty, and staff ● We will launch Blackbaud “MyFenwick” on August 17;
students (and parents) will get their schedules; teachers’ pages will be available after September 8 36
Students Requesting Online Option
Academic Life: Students Requesting Online Option
â—? Fenwick recognizes that for a variety of personal and/or family factors, including a young person being in a high-risk group, some students will need to learn remotely even when we are back on campus; we support these students â—? Because in-person learning is the preferred and planned delivery of instruction, a formal request for virtual learning is necessary; please consult this form (locate on the Return to School page) for details, including appropriate documentation â—? We also understand that some of our teachers in high-risk
groups and/or with various personal/family factors will need to teach remotely; we support our teachers and are working on creative solutions for these few instances
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Athletics ● The MIAA has delayed the start of the Fall athletic season to September 14; no athletic activities can take place until 9/14 ● The CCL (Catholic Central League) will follow all guidelines provided by the Governor and the MIAA; these guidelines are expected to be released the week of August 10
Co-Curriculars: Athletics
● Should the MIAA not host a post-season tournament, the CCL is exploring a variety of options for the fall season, including league-only games and a league-only tournament ● As CDC guidelines allow, we are hoping to have monitored, limited to access locker rooms; this may not be possible ● Transportation to/from games, should we have games, may rely on students, families, and coaches, given the current guidelines regarding passenger capacity on vans and busses ● Whatever happens here, we are committed to providing each student-athlete with a “team experience” that will be healthy, positive, consistent, and engaging in order to promote activity, develop relationships, and foster camaraderie 38
Clubs and Activities ● We have created designated times in our academic schedule for clubs and activities to meet during the school day; details regarding these meeting times will be shared in the fall
Co-Curriculars: Clubs and Activities
● We strongly believe that the extra-curricular life of students at Fenwick is critical to their education, development, health, and happiness; we are making every effort to have clubs and activities an integral part of the Fenwick experience ● Campus Ministry, Student Activities Council, Theatre, Chorus, Band, Creative Writing, Best Buddies, Yearbook, and much more will be offered with a combination of in-person and online engagement ● Again, all students during Phase 2, Ramping Up, will be able
to participate in after-school athletics, clubs, and activities
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Essential Updates ● Tuesdays with Tom: weekly email via Constant Contact with video posts on YouTube; stay tuned for TwT’s featuring our amazing students!
Communication: Essential Updates
● Constant Contact: email distribution as needed; sent to the email address we have on file in “My Fenwick”; let us know if you have multiple email addresses; check your spam folder ● Fenwick App: most immediate form of communication; download the app on your smartphone; be sure to join all of the appropriate groups; great way to get questions answered in real time ● Voicemail: used only for emergencies and critical updates;
sent via OneCall system; be sure to wait for message; goes only to the phone number we have on file in “My Fenwick”
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Key Resources
Communication: Key Resources
● “MyFenwick” powered by Blackbaud: as referenced above, the Blackbaud LMS is your first stop for all academic matters including attendance, homework, grades, activities, etc.; each student and each family will have a separate login to access Blackbaud. Instructions coming on August 17. ● Website: each constituency has a devoted webpage--students, parents/caregivers, and faculty/staff ● Class Webpages: on the Fenwick website, each Class (‘21,
‘22, ‘23, and ‘24) has its own designated page with relevant resources and materials ● Social Media: follow Fenwick on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram; and help to share the good news of Fenwick”
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Your Perspective ● We will host a parent/caregiver Town Hall Meeting next week for each grade level; the Town Hall meeting is an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns; the schedule is here:
Fenwick BEST: Your Perspecitve
● Class of 2024: Monday, 8/10 @ 4:30 PM ● Class of 2023: Monday, 8/10 @ 6:00 PM ● Class of 2022: Tuesday, 8/11 @ 4:30 PM ● Class of 2021: Tuesday, 8/11 @ 6:00 PM
● We respectfully ask that our parents and caregivers wait until the Town Hall meetings to ask questions and share concerns, and in doing so, to focus on areas and aspects of the Fenwick BEST plan that are most relevant to everyone ● For individual questions and specific concerns that relate to your student and family, please contact the appropriate person on our team via email 42
Fenwick BEST: Moving Forward!
Fenwick BEST: Moving Forward Thank you for your understanding, support, patience, and positivity as we make our way. We pray that the grace of God is revealed in the critical work we do and in the sacred company we share. We trust that the challenging times in which we live are bringing out the best in us and the best in Fenwick! Blessings to you and your family from our Fenwick Family.
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