Online Learning

Norms and Expectations for Online Learning

St. Anne’s-Belfield Lower School

Our core purpose: To inspire and prepare the next generation 

of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders. 

Our core values: Integrity, Curiosity, Diversity, Creativity, Agency, Impact

The online learning program for Lower School students at St. Anne’s-Belfield is designed to deliver academic instruction and community-building opportunities from a distance when a student must be off campus due to extended illness. We believe that students need to experience online school with as much opportunity for growth in agency, creativity, curiosity, and perseverance as possible. We recognize the challenges that arise due to the need for young children to be supported by an adult in their presence while also learning to navigate the classroom experience independently.

Please consult the School’s online learning policy to understand the parameters and process for accessing online instruction.

Expectations of Students

Schedule: 

• Students should follow the grade level schedule and be present for synchronous instructional moments as determined by their teacher(s), which may include Morning Meeting, Chapel, and other community moments in addition to core academic classes. Following the schedule will require adult support, particularly for students in kindergarten - second grade. Co-curriucular class content may include synchronous touch points. 

• Students, with support from families, should use Canvas to access class materials. 

• Students should attend classes from an established, well-lit workspace that includes access to class materials and supplies. 

Dress Code:

• When a student is online, they should appear on camera in uniform. 

Communication:

• For academic work and communication, families should email teachers. Please note that teachers may only be available to respond at the conclusion of the school day. 

• Students engage in class by questioning, discussing, listening, and collaborative problem-solving. These are focal points in our academic program. These behaviors support the development of enduring skills that translate beyond a student’s growth in Lower School. Teachers will establish expectations around specific features in Zoom, including the chat feature, breakout rooms, and the camera. Online students are expected to work within the norms established and communicate with teachers when they encounter challenges.

Academic work and assessments: 

• Students complete assignments as independently as possible. 

• Students complete all assessments independently. 

Technology Norms for All On Campus and Online Students

• Whether learning on campus or online, students will abide by the guidelines and existing technology use policies in the Student and Family Handbook. 

• Students will use the school-owned device for school work only. 

• Students will only use virtual backgrounds on Zoom approved by teachers.

• Student device cameras will be on unless a teacher gives permission otherwise.

• Students will abide by all Zoom norms for their grade. 

• Students will not record, screenshot, re-post, or otherwise capture or share digital content created on the School’s platforms. 

• Students will not add anyone to a School Zoom call or share the link and/or password. 

Parent Support of Online Learners

Online learning creates unique challenges and opportunities for Lower Schoolers. To prepare students to gain the most from the online experience, parents should establish healthy routines and expectations that support their child’s growth and needs. At times adult support and supervision will be necessary for a successful online experience. Parents are also encouraged to allow for as much independent learning as possible. It is important that your child experience online school independently so as to mirror the in-class experience as closely as possible and maximize opportunities for growth in agency, curiosity, and creativity. The School will work with families to support a healthy and developmentally appropriate balance.

The following components will help families support student’s online learning experience:

• Establish and maintain a structure for each school day your child is online, including a regular wake-up time and bedtime. Set clear expectations with your child about the school day hours. We encourage families to help students learn the schedule, consult a clock, and set timers as needed. 

• Students attend classes. Parents and guardians support from a distance. Students participate in classes. Parent questions and comments should be shared with teachers offline. 

• Consult Canvas with your child before the start of each day to support students familiarizing themselves with the plan. 

• Teachers will make every effort to update, adjust, and publish plans for the following day by 9 pm the evening before. It is important that families understand that lesson plans may shift and be tweaked in order to respond to the needs identified in prior lessons. 

• Additionally, content and instruction may shift during any given lesson to meet the needs of students in the moment.

• Make an advance plan for how and when your child can ask for help from teachers, including the grade level online support teacher, and you. Having a plan will support students’ necessary growth as independent learners. 

• Set up a workspace for your child in an area that is free from distractions and offers easy access to school supplies and internet access. 

• Make sure to plan for breaks during the day. Encourage your child to spend recess times away from the screen, and encourage physical activity and play during PE time and at the end of the day. 

• Parents do not assist students with assessments. 

• Enforce the expectation that your child’s school-owned device is to be used solely for school work. 

• For academic work and communication, please email teachers or support your child emailing teachers. 

• For technology challenges families should email teachers and the help desk (helpdesk@stab.org) to inform them. Please be aware that responding to tech issues takes time. 

Please note that recording, screenshots, re-posting, or otherwise capturing or sharing digital content created on the School’s platforms is not permitted without prior consent from the division head. Adding others to the School Zoom call and sharing links and passwords beyond our school is not permitted.

 

Norms and Expectations for Online Learning 

St. Anne's-Belfield Middle School

Our core purpose: To inspire and prepare the next generation 

of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders. 

Our core values: Integrity, Curiosity, Diversity, Creativity, Agency, Impact

Expectations of Students

• Schedule: Follow the academic schedule and plan to be present and working during scheduled course times, including advisory. At the start of each class, check-in on the Canvas page for the course to find directions, times for class meetings, and links to Zoom sessions. 
   
• Environment: Attend class from an established well-lit workspace that includes access to class materials and supplies. 
   
• Dress Code: When school is in-session on-campus, online learners should appear on camera in dress code. 
   
• Communication: For academic work and communication, use the inbox feature in Canvas. Through this platform, students can connect with classmates and teachers. They should check their inbox each day and respond to teacher messages promptly. To connect with other school supports or non-academic activities, use your school email account. 
   
• Both on-campus and online, questioning, discussing, listening, and collaborative problem-solving are focal points in our academic program. These activities strengthen our school community and support the development of enduring skills that translate beyond a student’s time in middle school. For this reason, teachers will establish expectations around specific features in Zoom, including the chat feature, breakout rooms, and the camera. Just as in our on-campus classrooms, students online are expected to work within the norms established and communicate openly with teachers when they encounter challenges. 

Technology Norms for All Learners 

• Whether learning on campus or online, I will abide by the existing technology use policies in the Student and Family Handbook. 
   
• I will have my camera on unless a teacher gives permission otherwise. When technological challenges or conditions at home make using a camera challenging, I will email my teacher. 

The following are considered serious honor violations and will be reported to the Dean of Students: 

• I will not record, screenshot, re-post, or otherwise capture or share digital content created on the School’s platforms. 
   
• I will not add anyone to a School Zoom call or share the link and/or password.

Parent Support of Online Learners 

Online learning creates unique challenges and opportunities for middle schoolers. To prepare students to gain the most from the online experience, parents should establish healthy routines and expectations that support each learner’s growing independence and autonomy. 

Here are some components that build of a supportive routine: 

• Establish and maintain a structure for each day, beginning with a regular wake-up time and bedtime. Setting clear expectations with your child about regular school day hours will help your child maintain a schedule and stay on top of schoolwork. 
   
• Support your child in setting up a workspace in an area that is free from distractions and offers easy access to school supplies and strong internet access. 
   
• Check-in before and after school each day. Key questions to ask: What classes do you have today? When will you be connecting with your teachers? What’s coming up this week? How did today go? What went well? What still needs attention?
   
• Make sure to plan for breaks during the day. Encourage your child to spend breaks away from the screen and encourage physical activity and play. 
   
• Support your child’s growing independence as much as possible by allowing them to identify and solve their own problems. Productive struggle is essential to a child’s developing sense of agency. If things feel “stuck,” support can look like brainstorming possible strategies together, encouraging your child to reach out to a teacher for support, or talking through an upcoming assignment. 
   
• Help your child stay connected to the community and their friends. 
   
• Establish boundaries for screen time. Online learners will be spending time throughout the academic day on a screen. We encourage you to include screen-free hours in your daily routine and create a device-free bedtime routine each evening. 

Norms and Expectations for Online Learning 

St. Anne's-Belfield Upper School

Our core purpose: To inspire and prepare the next generation 

of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders. 

Our core values: Integrity, Curiosity, Diversity, Creativity, Agency, Impact

Expectations of Students

• Students learning at home should establish and maintain a structure for their day, beginning with a regular bedtime and wake-up time each day. They should expect to attend school during regular school day hours if residing in the United States. Students learning at home are expected to join classes synchronously, per teacher instructions, except in the case of time zone challenges. 

• Students learning at home will be expected to keep up with in class work and attend weekly office hours when needed, either at the student’s request or the teacher’s request. 

• Students must attend class from an established, prepared, well-lit work space, and must have ready access to all books or class materials and technological resources. 

• Students must dress in the dress code (collared shirts, no t-shirts or sweatshirts with writing, etc.) 

• Students learning at home are full members of our community and as such, we encourage all students learning at home to participate in the life of the school and to stay as connected with friends, classmates, and teachers as they are able.

Technology Norms for All Learners 

• Whether learning on campus or at home, all students must abide by BYOD guidelines and existing technology use policies in the Student and Family Handbook.

• Students must have cameras on at all times unless technological or other conditions make it difficult to do so. In such cases, students should email their teachers in advance of class and expect that teachers or their advisor will follow up with their parents or guardians for a discussion. 

• Teachers will establish expectations around specific features in Zoom, including the chat feature, breakout rooms, and the camera. On campus and at home, students are expected to work within the norms established and communicate openly with teachers when they encounter challenges. 

• Without express and written permission from the Division Head or Head of School, students may not record, screenshot, share, re-post, or otherwise capture or disseminate digital content created via any of these platforms. Only approved representatives of the School may capture or post such content. Students may not add anyone — including parents or tutors — to a Zoom call or share a Zoom link/password. Failure to comply with this directive may result in disciplinary action. 

• Students who encounter technological problems (a computer microphone or camera that is not working) should contact the IT help desk as soon as possible to resolve their issue. They should also communicate these problems to their advisor and teachers. 

• Students are encouraged to take screen breaks during the school day and to limit their use of screens as they are able after school, especially in advance of bed times.