Parent Updates
Message from Karen Kenkel, Director
March 15, 2020
Dear Families,
I wanted to thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we begin to navigate uncertain times. The truth is that the situation is changing daily. Please be assured that our priorities are centered on the health and well-being of your children. We will continue to evaluate the ongoing situation with those priorities firmly in place. We will continue to communicate developments to you as decisions are made, and I welcome your feedback, input and questions.
We appreciate and value your support as we move ahead, and look forward to resuming normal operation as soon as we can.
Yours,
Karen Kenkel
Director, Quest Forward Academy Santa Rosa
Transition to Distance Learning on Friday, March 13
Thursday, March 12, will be the last day of in-person learning at Quest Forward Academy Santa Rosa this term. Once our campus closes to students at the end of day Thursday, we will keep students active in classes through a distance learning model. Specifics about our current plan are below. Please note that Term 3 ends and Spring Break begins next Thursday, March 19th. Spring break will take place March 19-27 as previously planned. We will communicate more about the intersession and Term 4 in the coming days.
Plan for Distance Learning
Our plan is to hold our classes at their normal days and times. Each student should have their school Chromebook and a charger at home. If they don’t, please call the school (707-387-1663) as soon as possible and we will work out a plan to get the equipment to you. Mentors have created links to video calls so that students can join class sessions remotely and will communicate these to the students via Google Classroom and email. We will also be using the features of the Quest! app and Google Classroom to track artifact work and post other class information. We will have practiced using these tools with students so they know how classes will function.
Our general expectations as we move to distance learning are as follows:
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Students are expected to join their regular classes remotely, at the regular time, and participate daily.
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Mentors will take attendance each class based upon students who are present on the video call and interacting with the class session.
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Mentors will be available for online help (video, email, etc.) during the regularly scheduled class times, as well as some scheduled “office hours.”
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Mentors will give daily direction to students to help students set daily goals and expectations on work that should be completed each class session.
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Students should find a place that allows them to connect to class sessions and interact productively. This would mean keeping them free from other distractions when they are in learning mode. I would suggest trying to find a place that is quiet, where the TV and other devices are turned off, and where they won’t be distracted by siblings and others.
This will be new territory for all of us, and we will all need to work cooperatively and communicate calmly and patiently to implement this plan effectively.
If you have questions or concerns about how this plan might work for your student, please contact me at kkenkel@questforward.academy or 707-480-5818. Our goal will always be to provide the most productive learning environment possible for our students — either in person, or remotely.
Changes to Intersession
Given the latest recommendations of the CDC and local and regional authorities, we have decided that we will postpone intersession, including the trip to Oaxaca. Instead of having intersession after spring break, we will simply begin Term 4. We will extend spring break by three days, through April 1 instead of March 27, and we will launch Term 4 on Thursday, April 2 using the distance learning model.
We cannot currently say how long into Term 4 we will continue with distance learning. We will follow the guidance provided by public health officials and we will continue to communicate regularly with you.
Tentative Upcoming Calendar
Fri 3/13 –
Wed 3/18
Term 3: Distance Learning
Students will participate in their daily classes from their homes using the schedule below.
Thu 3/19 –
Wed 4/1
Spring Break
School closed for Spring Break. Please note that we are extending Spring Break three days longer than originally planned.
Thurs 4/2
Term 4 Begins: Distance Learning
We will postpone intersession and begin Term 4 using remote instruction.
Distance Learning Class Schedule
Friday, 3/13
All periods will meet virtually for 25 minutes in order to allow students to practice attending each online class and connect with their questions for each class.
Monday, 3/16
Tuesday, 3/17
Wednesday, 3/18
Last day of Term 3.
