NCA Students and Families,
Good morning. I hope this email finds you all enjoying some family time along with rest and recovery. I appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to progress toward positive results related to this world wide struggle.
New Century Academy staff will continue our distance learning planning this week as directed by the Governor of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Education. While this is another week off for students, please understand that anything a student or family does to connect themselves to school is a positive move. Reading, online learning, exercising and reaching out by phone or email are great methods to help restore some sort of connection to education. All schools in the state of Minnesota have been directed to develop a distance learning plan and to be ready to start that plan on March 30th. While our efforts continue in the area of planning, I would like to give you a brief overview of what we are planning.
Our approach will be on two levels in order to accommodate as many learners and families as possible. Both levels will allow students to receive the same material, although the experience may be different. Staff will be preparing binders for each student with material from each class the student is registered for, with the exception of the students previously enrolled in an online course through edynamic learning. Staff will also prepare their google classrooms and set up google meet/hangouts in order to interact with students. The normal daily schedule will be modified and students will be expected only to focus on 3 of their 6 class periods each day. During each class period their will be office hours that students can interact with their teachers. These interactions can happen by google meet/hangout, email or by phone.
You should have received a call earlier last week to assess the technology needs of each family. We are continuing to plan to provide technology to families who do not have a device and also to find a way to connect families with internet service. If you have a specific need related to technology, please contact the school office and make us aware. We will do our best to provide all that we can.
Lunches will continue to be delivered to student homes. We will be adding breakfast items as well. We are looking at delivering breakfast and lunch to every student free of charge. This will happen by March 30th and may happen sooner.
I know that there a probably a lot of questions and we will do our best to answer and update you on our progress. Please continue to check your email and the school website for updates. Everyone has a role to play in the fight against COVID-19. Please do your part to stay home as much as possible, wash your hands, and avoid large group gatherings of 10 or more people. Our success as a country depends largely on the behaviors of our young people who aren’t as affected by the virus. You can play a pivotal role in slowing the spread of the virus so that our hospital systems can catch up and prepare.
In the meantime, enjoy as much family time as you can and please stay safe. Thank you.
Jason Becker, Director
New Century Academy
