PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
JULY 2020
CONTENTS GUIDING PRINCIPLES SCHOOL CALENDAR HEALTH & SAFETY DECISION MAKING FLOWCHART THREE LEARNING MODELS
MODEL 1 - ON CAMPUS LEARNING MODEL
MODEL 2 - HYBRID LEARNING MODEL
MODEL 3 - DISTANCE LEARNING MODEL
SPECIFIC LEARNING PROGRAM PER DIVISION
DEFINITION OF TERMS
COMPARISON OF LEARNING MODELS
STUDENT HEALTH, WELL-BEING & SELF-CARE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS SECONDARY LABORATORY CLASSES RESOURCES
PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
Dear Families, Throughout Pinewood’s history, the community of students, parents, faculty, and staff has been a defining strength of our school. I can think of no better example of this defining strength in recent years than that of the overwhelmingly cooperative community mindset that resulted from the lockdown and distance learning period in the Spring of 2020. We are so grateful for this collective support as we continue to work diligently to seek feedback and listen, learn, and improve upon the extraordinary time in which we are living. We will continue to learn from you and from other schools and organizations throughout the year. As the pandemic remains uncertain around the world, it is our responsibility as a school to ensure that we remain fully prepared to adapt teaching and learning to situations caused by the public health crisis or any crisis that may arise. This document, developed for our community, articulates possible learning scenarios at Pinewood in low, medium, and high risk environments that may be encountered in the new academic year. While it is impossible to predict the future, we are using our recent experience, feedback, and international school partners around the world to create the best possible profile of potential scenarios. Our goal for each scenario is to ensure safe and continuous learning and connecting for your children regardless of the risk levels that we may face. Thank you again for being a part of our incredible community. We are grateful to you. Roxanne Giampapa Head of School
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES Prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and community
Provide access to learning and socialemotional support to all students
Comply with the guidelines set by the Greek Ministries of Health and Education
Communicate clearly and frequently with parents for a strong partnership
HEALTH & SAFETY Please refer to our Covid-19 website page for specific health and safety measures, frequently asked questions, and past communication. In addition, all families, faculty, and staff are required to submit a Verification of Travel & Contact Form prior to the start of school. You can find the form here.
OUR CORE VALUES
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PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
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SCHOOL CALENDAR Monday, September 7, 2020:
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First day of school
PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
DECISION-MAKING FLOWCHART
The MoE and MoH allow for schools to open
YES
NO
Distance Learning Model
Pinewood has implemented the necessary guidelines for schools based on the MoE and MoH requirements YES
Strict Social distancing and class size limitations are required
NO
On-Campus Learning Model
YES
Hybrid Learning Model
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THREE LEARNING MODELS
Pinewood recognizes that the most beneficial mode of teaching and learning is through our daily, face to face school environment. However, in anticipation of evolving challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and in our efforts to stay ahead of change, Pinewood has developed three broadly defined models for learning that will engage students in meaningful ways and through multiple approaches. These models take into account varying degrees of public health risk and are indicative plans for the new year. It is important to note that guiding principle #2 above will dictate the essential decisions regarding school operations during the school year 2020-2021. These scenarios will require us to adapt our approaches, including the makeup of our schedule, how we implement our curriculum, and adjustments in teaching routines. Given the continued uncertainty around the pandemic, it is possible we may need to transition between these various scenarios at different points in the school year. New information and guidance from health officials will also impact our planning and additional scenarios may emerge as a result.
On-Campus
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Hybrid
Distance
PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
MODEL 1: On-Campus Learning Model The first model, implemented in a low risk environment, is the expected school experience wherein students attend school 5 days a week with regular class sizes and after-school activities. In this model, student movement will be minimized with teachers moving from class to class and students moving only for special subjects and languages. Student lockers in middle and high school will not be used. In this (and all) models, Pinewood will follow strict health and safety practices in line with Greek regulations. It is very important that parents, teachers and students work in partnership with us to take joint responsibility for our health and safety.
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MODEL 2: Hybrid Learning Model The second model, implemented in a medium risk environment, blends on-campus and distance learning approaches into an environment where students learn part of the time at school and part of the time at home. All efforts will be made for Early Years and Grades K-5 to be at school every day with required social distancing measures and limited class sizes in order to avoid a hybrid learning model.
If needed, Grades 6-12 (not necessarily all of these grades & normally starting from upper grades) may be on a rotation of learning at school and home. When at home, a combination of synchronous and asynchronous modes of delivery will be available for learning. After school activities will not take place for Early Years and selected activities will be converted to online modes for Elementary and Secondary students.
In this model, student movement will be minimized with teachers moving from class to class and students moving only for special subjects and languages. Student lockers in middle and high school will not be used.
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PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
MODEL 3: Distance Learning Model The third model, implemented in a high risk environment, is for conditions which demand that we close our campus and all students learn from home. This is the model our community experienced when the government closed all campuses last March. In this model, school remains open through remote learning. Students attend school virtually every day through synchronous (Google Meet or Zoom) and asynchronous (Class Dojo, Brightspace, video, other) learning experiences. During the summer, many of our teachers and administrators are engaged in various professional learning associated with distance learning and/or other relevant professional opportunities or activities in order to continually enhance distance learning experiences for our students. Those after school activities that can be converted to online modes will continue. The guidelines on the next 2 pages are designed for synchronous learning in the Distance Learning Model. Asynchronous learning (through projects, homework, skills practice, videos, etc.) is also an essential component of the Distance Learning Model. Importantly, as students mature in age, the expectations for independent / asynchronous work increase.
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SPECIFIC DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM PER DIVISION
Early Years (EYP1, EYP2) Pinewood’s Early Years Program is built upon years of experience and is wellestablished as a unique and exceptional setting in which young children grow and flourish. Our teachers have decades of experience, knowledge, and expertise to draw upon in order to understand how a child of 3 or 4 years old may benefit best from an online learning setting at different times of the year. Thus, we are actively analyzing and evaluating to establish the best possible ways for our young students to learn online. Importantly, we are drawing upon last spring’s valuable experience with online delivery as well as new learning from experts in the field of early childhood education. Our goal for our PreK1 and PreK2 children in a distance learning model is to focus on our investment and concern for each child’s development, remain in tune with each child’s needs and emotions, support each child’s ability to cope with online learning, and pay attention to each parent’s ability to invest time and energy into supporting his/her child in the process. Overall, we strive to create a philosophy of online learning that is developmentally appropriate and holistically positive for each young independent learner. Delivery modes will include a combination of one-on-one, small group, and whole class instruction via live online lessons and recorded videos throughout the week in all curricular areas and according to developmental stages. Learning packets (with educational and essential art materials) will be delivered to each home and replenished if Distance Learning continues for an extended period of time in order to facilitate ease of parent participation and involvement in the learning process.
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PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
Elementary (K-5) Synchronous Learning 5 classes / week each for Math & English Language Arts 2-3 classes / week each for Science and Social Studies 5 classes / week for ELL (for students currently in ELL program) 2 classes / week for Greek 1 class / week for specials (PE, Music, Art, HCS) 1 class / week for Genius Hour & STEAM Lab
Middle School (Grades 6-8) Synchronous Learning 3 classes / week for core subjects (English, ELL, Math, Science, Soc. Stds) 1-2 classes / week for languages 1 class / week for specials (PE, Art, Music, HCS, Dance, IT)
High School (Grades 9-12) Synchronous Learning 3 classes / week for core subjects (English, ELL, Math, Science, Soc. Stds) 2-3 classes / week for languages 2 classes / week for electives
IB (Grades 11-12) Synchronous Learning 2 classes / week for all SL courses and ToK 3 classes / week for all HL courses
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DEFINITION OF TERMS
Synchronous learning
learning that happens in real-time (live), focuses on collaboration, discussion, mini-lessons, feedback, and connection in class groups (ex: scheduled meetings to interact with new content, live instruction, live demonstrations, presentations, work collaboratively with peers)
Asynchronous learning
learning that happens at any time, self-guided learning with assignments/projects, allows for independence in learning and learner-centered activities (ex: students work independently on assignments/homework/projects, re-watch videos sent by teachers, flipped learning, project-based work)
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PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
Zoom - online platform for synchronous learning
Google Meets - online platform for synchronous learning
Brightspace - learning management system for assignments and other asynchronous work for Grades 3-12 *(New parents will receive their personal password)
Class Dojo - online educational platform for PreK-Grade 2 for communication between school and home
Live Streaming - online platform for synchronous learning
Performance Task - a learning activity that asks students to demonstrate their knowledge, skills or proficiency through a tangible product by applying/transferring learning (ex: project, oral presentation, debate, essay, lab, etc.) Performance Tasks Social Distancing -
the act of keeping people separated with the goal of limiting spread of contagion between individuals (also referred to as physical distancing)
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COMPARISON OF LEARNING MODELS ON CAMPUS Learning Model
Campus Status Learning Environment Response time
Campus is entirely open
At school
Immediate
Drop off & Pick Slightly staggered Up
Collaboration between students Feedback
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Campus is open. Not all students on campus at once to ensure low density for physical distancing
DISTANCE Learning Model Campus is entirely closed
Synchronous & asynchronous: both at school and in online spaces from home (for selected older grade levels only)
In online spaces from home through GoogleMeet, Zoom, Class Dojo, Brightspace
Slightly staggered
N/A
Immediate
1 day prep needed
times
times
Mostly face-to-face
Face-to-face and digital Synchronous online communication interactions through GoogleMeet/Zoom and asynchronous interactions through video recordings, Class Dojo, Brightspace
Teacher
Student contact
HYBRID Learning Model
Students have most classes in the same classroom to limit contact with people Mostly face-to-face and real-time Combination of in-person feedback, handwritten feedback and digital feedback in various forms
Students have most classes in the same classroom and playground time is structured in cohorts
Online student contact only
Combination of inperson feedback and digital feedback in various forms
All digital feedback in multiple forms
Both face-to-face and online, with both realtime and asynchronous activities
PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
Entirely online, with both synchronous and asynchronous activities
ON CAMPUS Learning Model Use of formal and informal processes to know where students are relative to the Formative learning goals. Great Assessment variety in types of assessing. Ongoing, real-time, in-person and through review of student work
Relies much on written work and conversations about learning. Asynchronous review of student work supplemented by live assessment through synchronous experiences. Student ability to selfassess is important here, too
Regular grading practices for each division
Adjustments made depending on the situation
Adjustments made depending on the situation
Structured by the master schedule.
Structured by the master Influenced by student age schedule both at school and and developmental ability at home. Some flexibility at to be online home
Laboratory Reduced students numbers in the STEM classes (see details lab at school below) Scheduling
Regular in-person After School activities every day after school
Activities
In-person meetings College Counseling and college admissions visits
English Language Learning
DISTANCE Learning Model
Ongoing, real-time, in-person when students attend school. Asynchronous review of digital and hard copies of student work when students are not on campus. Opportunities for further formative assessment through online synchronous experiences
Combination of timed, proctored, in-class Summative assessments and performance and Assessment project-based tasks applying content, skills, understandings
Grading
HYBRID Learning Model
Combination of total immersion and direct instruction at school
Some timed, in-class assessments. More performance and projectbased tasks with students applying content, skills, and understandings
Combination of labs in STEM lab at school and virtual labs
Few timed, proctored assessments. More performance and projectbased tasks with students applying content, skills, and understandings
All virtual labs
After school activities will not take place for Early Years and selected activities will be converted to online modes for Elementary and Secondary students
Selected activities will be converted to online modes for Elementary and Secondary students
In-person or online meetings in Zoom
Online meetings in Zoom
Combination of total immersion and direct instruction at school
Combination of total immersion (during live lessons), synchronous direct instruction, and asynchronous skill building
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STUDENT HEALTH, WELL-BEING & SELF-CARE Through programs and practices, Pinewood’s Student Services team is dedicated to continuing health & well-being service in all learning scenarios. Please see below for detailed information within the 3 scenarios for: • Learning Support
• Psychological Support • School Nurse • College Counselling Services Student Support Services in the 3 Scenarios
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION At Pinewood, English language acquisition is a priority for our students. In their English Language and Literature classes, students delve into both literary and non-literary themes, thus acquiring the necessary skills that enable them to build confidence in using English spontaneously and for all learning situations. Just as with the On-Campus model, synchronous English language instruction will be provided on a daily basis for all students whose language skills need to be supported. At the same time, a program of asynchronous, individualized learning, specifically structured on grammar, will be provided for those students who want to take advantage of our challenging times and boost their skills through the Distant Learning Model.
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PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021
SECONDARY STEM LABORATORY CLASSES Laboratory work is an important part of Pinewood’s Secondary STEM Department. Below are descriptions of how labs will operate in the 3 learning scenarios. The following virtual lab/interactive learning online providers are used by the Science Department for virtual lab simulations: • PhET Interactive Simulations • Gizmos Labs in On-Campus Learning Model STEM Labs will take place in groups of reduced student numbers following all Covid-19 safety regulations so that proper distances between individuals are kept while covering the lab skills as well as related analytical and critical thinking skills for each class. In addition, students will be using individualized equipment set ups that are not shared, while all equipment and lab surfaces will be disinfected before every group enters the lab. Labs in Hybrid Learning Model A combination of STEM Labs when students are on campus, following all Covid-19 safety regulations mentioned above, as well as STEM Virtual Labs and Activities will be applied when students are on campus and at home through live streaming. This blend of Lab Activities ensures that the lab skills as well as related analytical and critical thinking skills required for each class a re covered. Labs in Distance Learning Model A variety of online STEM Lab Activities will be applied to ensure that students develop their lab skills as well as related analytical and critical thinking skills required for each class. These include Virtual Labs and Activities, Databases, Simulations, and Interactive Media developed by educators to meet the standards and lab skills for each age group in the best possible manner under remote teaching.
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RESOURCES In developing these procedures, we have and will continue to consult guidance issued by local and state government agencies as well as information provided by other public health organizations. Some of the key resources include (with links): • Official Greek Government Information & Directives • Centers for Disease Control Consideration for Schools • World Health Organization Considerations for school-related public health measures in the context of COVID-19 • American Academy of Pediatrics COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry • Association for the Advancement of International Education
Thank you to the community of international schools around the world for your willingness to share best practices and ideas for the development of each of our school’s Continuity of Learning Plans.
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PINEWOOD Continuity of Learning Plan 2020-2021