Dear AMHS Families,
As I look ahead to the remaining weeks of school, it is hard to believe we have been operating remotely for nearly two months. Personally, I much prefer the old-fashioned way of doing things, but I am so proud of our community for coming together in these challenging times. Now that we approach the close of the 2020 school year, I'd like to share some updates and look ahead to the 2020-2021 school year.
What is the plan for 2nd semester final exams?
We will not be giving traditional final exams. Our Department Chairs have worked with their departments to determine assessments appropriate to their subject areas and our virtual setting. These plans include projects, papers, presentations, or unit tests, rather than comprehensive final exams. Teachers will be posting information specific to their courses on Moodle.
Will there be any adjustments to the calendar for seniors?
No, 12th graders will conclude the school year on May 22nd, as originally scheduled.
Any final projects, papers, etc. will be built into the current class schedule. Teachers will work with students who have conflicts due to AP testing. Students are encouraged to reach out to their teachers proactively about any potential issues.
Will there be any adjustments to the calendar for 9th-11th graders?
No, 9th-11th graders will conclude the school year on June 12th, as originally scheduled. There will be a special schedule on June 10-12 for any final class meetings, as needed.
What are our plans looking ahead to the 2020-2021 school year?
My continued prayer is that we are able to open school in a traditional manner as scheduled on August 25, 2020. And, we already know how to do that really well!
Given the uncertainty regarding potential continued impact of COVID-19 to schools, we are planning for a variety of scenarios. The safety of the AMHS community remains our highest priority. We will continue implementing the recommendations of public health officials in our school operations and cleaning procedures.
What possible scenarios are being considered?
During the closure, I have been meeting weekly with the Office for Catholic Schools and principals from throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle. These meetings help us stay informed on the guidance given to schools and how it applies to our specific setting. This has helped inform our planning at AMHS for a variety of possible scenarios, including the potential for continued school closure or a hybrid of distance learning and in-person instruction this Fall.
What will this look like for students?
My hope is that we are able to open in a traditional manner in August. Being a small school of about 500 students with a spacious campus that includes multiple separate buildings is of tremendous advantage. Many of the logistical challenges faced by larger schools or those operating from a single building are more easily navigated in our setting.
We are developing plans for staggering passing periods and lunches, as needed, to reduce traffic flow in the hallways. Our smaller class sizes also reduces exposure to others within the classroom. As we prepare for our return, we are increasing the number of hand sanitizing stations and implementing regular deep cleaning procedures.
What if a more traditional opening is not possible this Fall?
If we are unable to open the campus this Fall, we are also planning how to set students up for success within the possible scenarios.
- Alternate scenario #1: If we are not permitted to open school on our physical campus, we will have protocols for distributing books/materials to students, as well as devices for those needing assistance with technology. We will spend our first week training on common norms for distance learning, so instruction can be maximized moving forward.
- Alternate scenario #2: If we are required to open with a hybrid of in-person and virtual instruction, we will use the first days of school for a similar goal of creating common understandings of the expectations and ensuring access to technology.
In either scenario, we will emphasize building community, just as we would be doing on campus. Students will have a combination of video conference class meetings and events, such as virtual assemblies, liturgies/prayer services, clubs, and Community Period meetings. We will provide a rich academic experience for students using our Moodle Platform as the central hub for disseminating class information, while facilitating live class meetings via video conferencing.
How will Distance Learning look different in the future?
We hope there is not a need for continued Distance Learning, but we are using this opportunity to plan ahead. We appreciate all of the feedback students, staff, and families have provided thus far. This June we will again survey our students, families, and staff.
The survey will help us identify the frequency and schedule for synchronous ("real time") instruction, the volume of work, and the methods that best support learning. The lessons learned this spring will guide the specifics of our Distance Learning practices moving forward.
Thank you again for all of your support as we navigate this uncharted territory. Although this is a time of uncertainty regarding the pandemic, I can assure you that AMHS will remain strong in supporting students and providing a high quality academic experience.
Warmest regards,
Alicia Mitchell
AMHS Principal
