Iona Prep Lower School Distance Learning Guide
IntroductionThe outbreak of the Covid 19 virus has forced unprecedented changes on our society. Iona has been developing methods and policies to deliver effective instruction while students are made to stay home during the outbreak. This remote, or distance learning, as it is commonly referred to, presents both great challenges and opportunities. This guide is meant primarily for use if the entire school is forced to close and all students have to learn remotely. The challenges are obvious, especially given that Iona’s educational program is built on the strength of the relationships that faculty and students develop. Classes are often designed around discussions and collaborative work that may be more challenging in a distance learning setting. Distance learning challenges our ability to quickly break out for small group work, remediation, or enrichment. Our faith, however, teaches that Our Lord would never put a challenge before us that we cannot overcome with His help. Therefore we also look at this as an opportunity. It is an opportunity for our teachers to try new methods and test new programs. It is an opportunity for our families to reconnect at home and an opportunity for us as a faith community to turn to God and connect more closely with Him. We believe that by adhering to our core values and mission, and allowing them to guide our choices, we will be able to continue to deliver effective, age appropriate, and meaningful instruction to our boys. Realizing the amount of instruction will not be the same as attending inperson classes, we believe that by focusing on the quality of the instruction given, we will continue to advance the education of every student and provide opportunities for growth.