Working together, ACS students, teachers, and administrators have navigated through the uncharted waters of remote learning after the state-mandated closure of schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote learning got underway on March 17 and continued through April 9. ACS students and staff are off for Easter break from April 10 to 17 and will resume remote learning on April 20. Remote learning will continue until schools are re-opened by the Governor of New Jersey.
“We’re so grateful for the support and encouragement that our school families have been sending to our teachers and administrators,” said Elementary Principal and Early Ed Director Gail Alford. “And we love seeing the photos of our students diligently working on their schoolwork at home.”
After the first week of remote learning, using online platforms such as Google Classroom and Zoom, Alford and Upper School Principal Meg McHale asked parents and guardians to complete an online survey to gather feedback on the remote learning process. “Our goal is to be flexible and make the necessary changes and adjustments so that this new method of instruction can be as effective and successful as possible,” Alford said.
During the third week of remote learning, Alford organized a Virtual Spirit Week to encourage and uplift students and staff. “It was an opportunity for us to have some fun, but to also to come together and show unity as a school,” Alford said. Each day of the week had a different theme — Bed Head Day, Superhero Day, Pajama Day, Pet Day, and School Spirit Day. Students were asked to participate by posing for a photo based on the day’s theme and then posting that photo to the ACS Facebook and/or Twitter sites. CLICK HERE to see a photo gallery of our Virtual Spirit Week.
Throughout the school year, ACS students assemble for chapel each Friday. During this COVID-19 period of remote learning, students and staff were able to gather as a body of believers online on Fridays via YouTube to hear chapel presentations from Coastal Christian Family Life Director Matt Glancey; ACS parent and Scoutmaster of ACS Troop 389 Mike Jorgenson; and Coastal Christian Lead Pastor Matt Stokes and his college-aged son, Jesse, who attended ACS from preschool to the 3rd grade.
