Online Classes

Students participate in asynchronous learning, which means students engage in lessons independently via Google Classroom and complete work at their own pace, within a clearly identified timeframe, using discussion boards and other methods for peer interaction and engagement.

Student complete the lessons that teachers provide for their classes and submit work by the due date for grading and feedback. Typical late work policies apply. Students have work for each class and there may be some type of assignment or check for understanding to be turned in to the teacher each day.

Because there is no way to take attendance when students are engaged in distance learning, a student’s submission of assigned work will be used for attendance purposes.

If a student fails to turn in an assignment, s/he will be assigned a 0 and will be counted absent for that class.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify John Dean and Eveline Bailey if a child becomes ill and cannot complete class work: Mr. Dean or Mrs. Bailey will inform the student’s teachers.

All teachers are available to students for assistance from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM every week day. Teachers have been asked to notify students of their office hours and respond to student communication within these time frames.

If students have questions, need tutorials, or need to speak with teachers, please contact teachers via email or Google Classroom since teachers may not be in their classrooms to return phone calls.

Student responsibilities:

• Log in to Google Classroom and school email every day for assignments and communications from teachers and the school
• Read and understand teacher feedback on graded assignments
• Submit assignments and checks for understanding on-time for learning and attendance purposes
• Communicate with teachers when they have questions or need assistance or tutorials

 

Parent responsibilities:

• Ensure their child is completing assignments in Google Classroom
• Monitor their student’s progress in their classes
• Help students establish a routine that keeps them organized and ready for learning
• Provide an adequate work/study space for students to continue their learning
• Communicate with teachers if the student is experiencing difficulties with classwork
• Communicate with their student’s Academic Counselor or Eveline Bailey after initial contact with teachers if difficulties are not resolved
• Contact Eveline Bailey or John Dean regarding a student’s or family member’s illness

 

It is important to establish and maintain a consistent routine for the duration of remote learning. A routine not only ensures that students set aside time each day for their class work, but also aids in the transition back to school when that time comes. For this reason, we recommend to parents the following schedule for students.

Schedule:

8:30-9:00	Wake up, prepare academic area, check for communication from teachers
9:00-10:00	Academic Block 1
10:00-10:30	Break
10:30-11:30	Academic Block 2
11:30-12:30	Lunch break
12:30-1:30	Academic Block 3
1:30-2:00	Break
2:00-3:00	Academic Block 4
3:00-3:30	Wrap up, communicate with teachers, arrange virtual tutorials

 

Academic blocks are designed to give students a period of uninterrupted time to focus on specific class work or projects. Breaks may be used to send emails to teachers, as well as provide time to relax.

Regardless of the schedule that parents implement with their child, students should have approximately 3.5-4 hours of uninterrupted time throughout their day to focus on their academic studies.

For students enrolled in Somerset County Technology Center or SCTC, concurrent enrollment classes with a college or university, or adult education classes, please refer to specific communications from those institutions regarding assignments and requirements. All of these institutions have their own methods of continuing classes, and students must follow their guidelines to receive credit for those courses.

As schools and communities navigate the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the health and safety of educators and students are the AP Program’s top priorities. The College Board Advanced Placement program is implementing new resources and test options for students for the 2019-20 school year. Working with top universities in the nation, the College Board has created online testing solutions for AP tests to ensure that students receive the credit they have worked this year to earn.

Important AP test changes for 2019-20 school year:

• The exam will only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March.
• Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place. Students will take a 45-minute online free- response exam at home. The specific test dates and the free-response question types are posted on AP Central® at  https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/students
  
  AP teachers are also working with students to prepare for specific test content.
• Students will be emailed exam information at the email address provided in the College Board student account.
• It is important to log in and check the email address before test day!
• Any student already registered for an exam can choose to cancel at no charge. Students do not need to communicate whether they plan to take the exam before the exam administration.
• Students who choose not to take their AP exam(s) should notify Eveline Bailey (email: ebailey@mci-school.org) and Nancy Desrosiers (email: ndesrosiers@mci-school.org) after the last date of the exam for information about refunds for payments already made. Refunds will not be issued prior to late testing since students may decide to cancel by not logging in to the test on the test date.
• Students will be able to take these streamlined exams on any device to which they have access—computer, tablet, or smartphone (not a preferred method as all tests should be taken on a computing device). Taking a photo of handwritten work will also be an option. The College Board is working with schools to ensure students have the tools and connectivity they need to review AP content online and take the exam. If you have connectivity needs, please let your AP teacher or Eveline Bailey know, or complete the form below by April 24, 2020: https://collegeboard.tfaforms.net/74
• To protect the integrity of the exam and the scores given to students, the exam questions are designed in ways that prevent cheating. The College Board will use a range of digital security tools and techniques, including plagiarism detection software, to protect the integrity of the exams.
• Students will receive test-taking information as well as practice exam opportunities from the College Board prior to testing that will simulate the testing and uploading experience. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these simulations so you are prepared on test days.

 

Why Take the Test?

• Colleges and universities are working closely with The College Board and have committed to accepting AP scores from students who are testing in the 2019-20 school year.
• Students who earn a 3, 4, or 5 on their AP exam(s) can earn college credit for those courses. This is a huge tuition savings representing up to $3,000 savings per course, depending upon the college’s tuition rates. Be sure to check with your individual colleges/universities  to learn how AP scores are applied for credit.
• There are many additional online supports developed by AP and AP Readers (the people who grade the tests) to help you further prepare for your exams, in addition to the support you are receiving from your teachers. 

 

Preparing for your AP Exams:

• Students and schools have access to free, live AP review lessons, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. The lessons focus on reviewing the skills and concepts from the first 75% of the course. These mobile-friendly classes are designed for use alongside work that may be given by your teachers, and will be recorded and available on-demand so teachers and students can access them any time. Visit https://www.youtube.com/user/advancedplacement for immediate access.
• Information about the reduced scope of content that will be covered on each 2020 AP Exam is currently posted on AP Central®. The College Board will also unlock any relevant free-response questions in AP Classroom for digital use so students can access all practice questions of the type that will appear on the exam.
• For course specific exam information, such as what units will be covered in the exams, visit https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/students/taking-ap-exams

Your AP teachers and I are here to help you if you have questions about the AP exam updates. In addition, your AP teacher is a great resource for you to discuss your options if you are unsure about taking the test. Obviously, we all hope you will choose to take the exam and strongly encourage you to take advantage of the preparation you have done all year.

For students currently enrolled in online classes for initial credit or credit recovery, they will continue their course work as usual. There is no change in the course requirements because the course content is delivered online.

Maine School Administrative District #53 offers a FREE Breakfast and Lunch Program for all district students aged 18 and under. The Free Breakfast and Lunch program begins on Thursday, March 19. Each delivery include three days’ worth of breakfast and lunch per student.

The program is using the regular bus route to distribute food to those who signed up. Deliveries will be made on Mondays and Thursdays between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

Since we are not able to deliver meals to individual homes, please wait at the location where students get on/off the bus: when the bus arrives, please gather your three-day food delivery.

If you have not signed up for the Free Breakfast and Lunch Program, please contact Vickery School at 487-5575 or Warsaw School at 487-5145.

The last day of remote learning for students is May 22. We will not have final exams as we have had in the past. I want to emphasize that this does not mean there will be no assessments in individual courses that measure or reflect on the learning at the end a unit or for the quarter. This simply means there will be no final exams that will calculate into a semester average. The semester average will comprise Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 grades.

The return for iPads and books will start May 25. Instructions for return, dates, times, and drop off locations will be emailed in May. Mrs. Caldwell will communicate separately with seniors regarding items that must be returned or paid for before you can receive your diploma. Students will receive a bill for any lost, damaged, or un-returned devices or books.

Summer school for credit recovery will be from June 8-26. Because of the current situation with COVID-19, we will conduct summer school via remote learning. The Academic Office will communicate with students by June 1 with details regarding summer school.

For seniors in particular, please be sure to complete the Senior Exit Interview Survey. This provides the Academic Office with important information about your high school experience and your post-secondary plans.

If you have questions or concerns in the following areas, please contact:

Head of School: Chris McDonald

Assistant to the Head of School: Kelly McCormick

Dean of Academics: Eveline Bailey

Academic Counselor - Kirsten Pomeroy (A-N, Private Day students) 

Academic Counselor - Scott Giallombardo (O-Z, Boarding students)

Registrar: Donna Cray

Dean of Student Life: Tom Bertrand

Director of Student Affairs (Attendance): John Dean

School Nurse: Rebecca Geagan

Personal Counselor: Macie Batchelder

IT Director: Jennifer Watson

Chief Financial Officer: Karla Edney

Student Accounts: Nancy Desrosiers