Junipero Serra's principal is offering a live Facebook greeting every morning at 8 AM. As a result, the whole school starts off just as they do when they are on site. In addition to the work and assignments that teachers have sent home, teachers are also starting with virtual office hours using google hangouts or Zoom. Kindergarten class is starting with a virtual teleconference circle and calendar time. Other teachers are starting with individual one on one teleconferencing sessions with the students and then as the students get comfortable with the technology they are planning for class meetings using Google hangouts or zoom. The middle school started more quickly with teleconference holding English language arts science and math classes in real-time using the teleconferencing technology. They are also able to use their document camera and broadcast that live feed as they model working problems for example in math.
The teachers are working hard and really leaning into the challenge. Even more important than the academic work is maintaining the social connections and sense of community as well as helping families and children fight the feeling of isolation. We are off to a good start using technology to do this.