Virtual Learning Update: Friday, April 3, 2020

Pope Francis, in his message for the world last week, reminded us, “Do not be afraid!” and sought to assure us that, “the Lord will not leave us at the mercy of the storm.” Using Peter in the boat as his example, he said it was “a time to choose what matters in life and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not, and a time to get our lives back on track with regard to the Lord and to others.”  We all are in the boat rowing together, leaning on each other to do our part, trusting our Lord, and using God’s rudder to keep us on track.

 

JH Classical Academy is committing to Virtual Learning from Monday, April 6 through Friday, May 1.  If we have to extend due to ordinances, we will communicate further.  For now, we planned the next 4 weeks of on-line learning.  There is no school on Friday, April 10 in observance of Good Friday.  Please mark your calendars: Teton County Public Health has allowed us a “drive-by-pick-up” of Learning Packets on Monday, April 6 and Monday, April 13 from 4:00-5:00 PM for all parents.  You can drive through our parking-lot circle and staff will hand you the correct Learning Packets for your family.

 

As educators, we are balancing the need to continue educating the mind and the heart, while recognizing these are turbulent times and only essential learning should take place.  You’ll notice we are covering the core subjects daily and the arts weekly.  You should be done with lessons, breaks, lunch, and homework for Grades K-2 by 1:30 PM, for Grades 3-4 by 3:30 PM, for Grades 5-6 by 4:30 PM, and for Grades 7-11 by 5:30 PM.  Evenings should be free for dinner and family time.  We understand the added pressure for parents and we are "here" to support you! 

 

Classical Education has often been likened to a feast that nourishes all expressions of our humanity.  In bricks and mortar learning, the leadership and faculty prepare as if it was a rich Thanksgiving Feast with all the extras.  Not only do the teachers work to embody the curriculum and focus on virtue formation, but our programs reach beyond the academics to after-school clubs, presentations, and mentoring events to build community and fulfill our mission.  With virtual learning we are still preparing the food and nourishment, but parents have to set the table and offer dessert.  We realize this is an unexpected and unintentional shift. Keeping connected will take extra effort and we will do all we can to facilitate kindness and care.

 

In the midst of all this, we have a new addition to our team: Miss Sarah Boss.  Mrs. Rachel Greb had to return to Michigan to tend to unexpected family needs.  So, Miss Boss drove up last weekend from Texas and will be teaching 9th Grade Humane Letters, 6th Grade American History & Geography, and 4th Grade History.  She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Wheaton College with a major in English Literature and a minor in History. Miss Boss taught at a Christian Classical School before moving to Budapest, Hungary for her Masters in English Literature and Linguistics. She graduated, again, with high honors and won the Outstanding Thesis Award for “A Very Fruitful Brain: The Typological Worldview of Jonathan Edwards.”  Please reach out and welcome Miss Boss: mailto:sboss@jhclassical.org.  I can’t imagine a more difficult time to enter a new job, with social isolation, so please do what you can to welcome her.

 

I’ll end with one of my favorite poems by Annie Johnson Flint.  It was shared to encourage me many years ago during a difficult trial, so I pass this encouragement and truth on to you: 

 

 

I miss you all and look forward to connecting virtually in the coming weeks.

 

In grace, mercy, and peace,

Important Information about Virtual Learning

Here is the Virtual Learning Schedule.  Please note that faculty are offering to have virtual lunch with students once a week, so check your day for virtual lunch according to grade-level.  Faculty also have daily virtual office hours, so check your K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-11 time-slots.  This schedule is posted on the Parent Resource Page, too. 

 

2.    Here are the Virtual Learning Expectations.  We outlined four areas where parents can support their children with virtual learning placement, materials, and assignments, in addition to obvious expectations for faculty and students. These expectations are posted on our Parent Resource Page, too. 

 

3.    Important!  Please drive by JH Classical Academy on Monday, April 6 between 4-5 PM to pick up your Learning Packets for this week and on Monday, April 13 from 4-5 PM to pick up the packets for the next 3 weeks.  Teton County Public Health has approved this plan, which respects social distancing and gets you the needed materials. 

 

4.    Opening Ceremony will be offered for 5-7 minutes at the opening of every math class, Monday through Thursday.  We will offer a video Reflectin with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord’s Prayer.  70% of the parents said they could join, which is wonderful!

 

5.    Thankful Moment will be held for 10 minutes at the end of the last class each day.  Students and parents can use the chat feature to share words of gratitude with everyone in the class. 70% of the parents said they could join, which is wonderful!

 

6.    Every Friday, I will offer and open forum for parents to gather and chat from 8:30-9:00 AM or 12:30-1:00 PM.  Anybody is welcome to join. Please use my Zoom Meeting ID that is listed on the Parent Resource Page with all the faculty Zoom Meeting IDs (for privacy and security).