Post Tagged with: "COVID-19 Pandemic"

Remote Learning Enables Students, Teachers to Continue Schoolwork from Home

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.

ACS Cancels Legacy Gala, Other Events Due to COVID-19 Virus Containment Measures

In an effort to promote social distancing to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, ACS and schools across the country have been closed and gatherings of more than 50 people have been curtailed.  By necessity, the ACS Administration reviewed the upcoming events on the school calendar and made the difficult decision to cancel all school events in March and a number of other events in April and May, including the Legacy Gala – An Evening With Mandisa planned for May 1 and missions trips scheduled during the Easter break.

Upper School Principal Meg McHale said the High School Prom planned for May 15 will not be held on that date and discussions are underway for an alternate date. McHale said a meeting was held with the students in the senior class using the Zoom platform to obtain their input on the potential rescheduling of graduation and other activities such as the Senior Trip. “We want very much to make the best of what remains of this school year and to find ways to celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors,” McHale said.

McHale said all Advanced Placement (AP) tests will be held online during the first two weeks of May and that faculty members are working closely with our high school students to ensure they are fully prepared.

Missions Club Advisor Dave Genter said that all middle school and high school Missions Trips planned for spring break in April have been cancelled, but that funds raised will be saved and applied to next year’s trips.

Following is a list of the events on the ACS school calendar that have been cancelled since the closure of school on March 17:

  • Monday, March 23 – ACS Board Meeting
  • Monday, March 26 – Healthy Heart Challenge PE Event
  • Saturday, March 28 – Christian Skate Night at Young’s Skating Center
  • Saturday, April 4 – Game On! 1st annual Mother-Son Game Night
  • Saturday, April 25 – Sophomore Class Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee’s
  • Friday, May 1 – Legacy Gala – An Evening with Mandisa
  • Friday, May 8 – K-5th Spring Concert
  • Friday, May 15 – High School Prom (new date TBD)
  • Thursday, May 21 – 6th-12th Spring Band/Chorale Concert

New School Closure Information

April 3, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Murphy’s series of Executive Orders, our K-12 campus and Early Education Center are closed until further notice. We will inform school families as soon as possible once a reopen date has been established. Since March 17, our faculty members have continued providing classroom instruction to our K-12 students via remote eLearning platforms. Please contact your child’s Principal by email with any questions as the school office is closed in compliance with the Governor Murphy’s executive order directing residents to remain at home.

In this time of uncertainty, Scripture reminds us to draw closer to God and to put fear aside. As it says in Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do no be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

ACS Prepares Remote Teaching Plans, Follows Cleaning Protocols in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACS teachers and staff have been working diligently this week to prepare for a possible closing of the school and the implementation of at-home instruction as well as following cleanliness and disinfection protocols recommended by the health department.

School was closed on Friday, March 13 for a teacher In-Service, with teachers using the time to create virtual lessons to to provide students with course content remotely if needed. Facilities staff and teachers also spent Friday doing a deep cleaning of all Early Ed to high school classrooms, bathrooms, and common areas, including disinfecting walls, door handles, door frames, sinks, mirrors, table and desk tops, toys, and cubbies.  Chromebook surfaces were also cleaned. Oblen said teachers and staff will continue to follow the health department’s guidelines for daily cleaning.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen sent a letter by email to all parents and guardians on March 11 describing the details of the school’s Remote Teaching Plan. Oblen said that under the plan, all students in grades K-12 will use Google Classroom and Zoom for at-home instruction. Students who do not have a computer or tablet at home will be able to borrow a Chromebook from the school. Oblen said another letter will be emailed to parents and guardians with specific instructions on remote instruction in the event that school must be closed.

“Most importantly, we are committed to be in prayer for our school, our families, and our community,” Oblen said. “We are in uncharted waters, but we know the God who is in control of all things and it is His perfect love that casts out all fear.”

Oblen said the NJ Department of Education has approved a written directive that schools are to provide home instructional services to enrolled students if required to close.  In addition, N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-9 states that:   Any day in which students impacted by a public health-related closure have access to home instruction services will count as a day of education toward the compliance with the 180-day requirement in accordance with this directive.

If a student does not have a computer or device to use at home, parents and guardians are asked to contact their child’s principal so that a Chromebook can be loaned to you — Upper School Principal mmchale@acseht.org or Elementary Principal galford@acseht.org.