Page 47 - Priorities #74
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                                 Integrity
Of course, we want to provide an education that meets our standards of integrity: for a top rate education, for student wellness, for work/life balance, for thriving and helping others thrive. Before school closed its doors, our Professional Development team directed teachers to prepare two-week mini-units that provided a meaningful educational experience while allowing teachers and the administration the time to make a long term plan. In that interim, the Distance Learning team, consisting of Yvonne Faisal, Crystal Matsuoka, Michele Riebhoff, and Kailen Song, researched online learning, explored various technology, contacted other schools, and surveyed teachers. “Our main goal was to create a remote learning structure that was mission- appropriate, honored our commitment to balance, and blended simplicity and flexibility with academic meaningfulness,” noted Yvonne Faisal.
On March 12, Priory moved to a mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes that provided
online meeting spaces without too many hours of screen time or homework. To make this transition work, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Crystal Matsuoka instituted DL meet-ups for teachers to share best practices around assessments, engagement, equity, feedback, and reflection. “As we were called to adapt, innovate, and in many ways reinvent our teaching practices,” she stated, “we also wanted to stay true to our Benedictine values and identity.” After attending workshops, studying multiple resources, plus listening to people’s needs, Priory also rolled out the “compassionate grading” policy, offered alternative assessments, and cancelled final exams. To bring other voices into consideration, College Counseling and Social Emotional Counseling held parent coffees, Micah Morris hosted senior parent meetings, Yvonne Faisal gathered the seniors weekly, and incoming Head of School Patrick Ruff held Zoom meet-ups for a variety of constituents. Integrity means taking care of everyone’s needs while meeting our mission statement to “assist all students in creating
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 DISTANCE LEARNING





























































































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