Dear Parents:
We are living in unprecedented times and all of us are trying to do the best we can to manage our new reality. At a time when people in our community are dealing with a variety of challenges, we at the school are doing our best to provide a sense of normalcy and routine for our students, and hopefully that is resulting in a positive impact for you – our families.
I wanted to touch base with you and to let you know that our goal, as a staff at Webster’s, is to connect with our students and also to provide a continuity of learning opportunities for them. By now, all teachers have established learning routines for their students and have also connected with you. I have asked my staff to connect with every child in the class, 1-2 times per week. Teachers and Support Staff will be using a variety of ways to facilitate this connection, including phone calls, emails and Zoom meetings. The purpose of this task is not only to further student learning, but also to keep up the important connections and bonds that we’ve established throughout the year with our students. We really do miss our kids and we want to ensure that they know we care about them.
I want to make it clear that our aim is not to add any more stress to your lives. The opportunities for your kids to connect with my staff and the work we provide are meant to be a positive part of your lives. If you are finding that either the amount of work being sent home or the number of connecting opportunities are adding undue stress to you and your family, please contact your child’s classroom teacher so that adjustments can be made. The expectation for K-3 students is to do between 5-7 hours of work during the week, while the guideline for grade 4-7 students is to have about 7-10 hours’ worth of work for the week.
Our aim is not to replicate a regular day’s work at school while students are learning at home. We are trying to balance the importance of helping your child to continue their learning, along with maintaining a positive impact in your home. I know that we can achieve both goals, by collaborating together in order to do the best we can for the children of Webster’s. Our school community has done an amazing job of working together, over the years, and I believe that the positive and caring culture we’ve established will see us through these challenging times. I want you to know that the staff at Webster’s are here for you and your children; please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of any help.
Thank-you,
Ramin Mehrassa