Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,
I am sure many of you have heard that school campuses in Santa Clara County will not reopen this academic year. I cannot express how sorry I am to share that Castilleja will have no choice but to follow their lead. This is very disappointing news to deliver, but given the projected trajectory of COVID-19, it has become unavoidable. I know it is hard to imagine not returning to campus this year, especially for our seniors. I will be in touch after break to share more details about how our spring events will take shape under these new circumstances, and I am fully confident that we will take joy in our reimagined community celebrations. In the meantime, I would like to share some updates about revisions to our Distance Learning Plan.
Learning about Distance Learning
Over the last few weeks, students have found creative ways to collaborate, develop autonomy, practice self-advocacy, and open themselves to learning as a dynamic process. At the same time, our teachers have worked hard to build an entirely new program to suit this new normal. We are also keenly aware that personal circumstances pose new challenges as students learn remotely, and we are monitoring and addressing those impacts daily. Within this context, our Academic Leadership team has reviewed what is working best and what elements need to evolve further. After extensive discussions that have included our faculty, Counseling Department, College Counseling Department, our Learning Specialist, and our Director of Assessment and Research, we are sharing changes that respond to our students' needs.
Community Time
Jim Pickett and Anne Cameron will be in touch with students about resuming the Middle School and Upper School meetings during those regularly scheduled times. These moments together are so important to our students and teachers, and will help us to continue to appreciate traditions like senior and eighth grades speeches; share information about local and global outreach; and connect with each other in broader ways than classes permit.
Schedule and Homework
We have found that our long-blocks are not as effective in the context of distance learning; therefore, we will adjust the schedule. In Middle School, long-blocks will be shortened to 55 minutes, except for Arts and Fitness & Wellness, which will follow the same rotations. In Upper School, all long blocks will be shortened to 55 minutes. For homework, teachers will work to integrate the goals they would cover in homework into their class time. This will allow them to assign less homework per class. Our teachers will also develop some assignments that do not rely on devices in an effort to reduce screen time whenever possible.
Adjusted Assessments; Continuation of Grading
You may have heard that some schools have moved to a credit/no credit grading model. After consulting with peer schools, surveying our own faculty, and taking adequate time to explore our options thoroughly, we have decided to maintain our current letter-grade system. Many of the schools that have moved to the credit/no credit model have done so in recognition of the reality that it can be difficult to monitor student stress and provide equitable access if we rely solely on current approaches to teaching and assessment in these unusual circumstances. If we needed to rely on past practices, we would agree; however, our faculty is forging a different path forward.
Since 2013, Castlleja teachers have participated in Castilleja's Partnership for 21st Century Assessment. Over the course of these seven years, our teachers have tested, learned, and practiced a wide range of assessments that have prepared them well for this shift in their teaching. For example, teachers will adjust the length and frequency of periodic assessments to minimize stress and focus on understanding and progress. They will vary the types of assessments to provide students with different ways to demonstrate learning. With only the final half of this semester taking place remotely, teachers will be able to rely on past strengths and chart new growth. Lastly, we will not have final exams this semester. Instead, the exam period will become regular class time, allowing teachers and students the opportunity to reflect on the year's learning together.
In Closing
As we face these challenging times together, I want to share with students and families my biggest concerns and my best hopes. First, I want you all to know that your health is of the utmost importance. Since going to classes no longer requires going to school, it might feel tempting to overlook symptoms. I want to emphasize that nothing you will encounter in your classes is more important than your wellbeing. Please take time away from remote learning if you need a break physically or emotionally. Your teachers will applaud that choice and support you through learning any material you may have missed. Please remember that all absences should be reported to attendance@castilleja.org.
Finally, I hope you will join me in taking a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and allow yourself to embrace gratitude. Across the country, students are missing weeks, and in some cases, months of adequate schooling, potentially leaving a generation of early learners who will need remediation and support in the years ahead. It is already clear that among its many impacts, the COVID-19 crisis will amplify the educational inequities that already exist in the United States. That is why each and every day, we remind you that with the privilege of a Castilleja education comes the responsibility to be leaders and agents of change, ensuring better opportunities for the next generation.
Warmly,