#JoyFromAfar Hub

During #JoyFromAfar distance learning, it is important we continue to support our community remotely in a way that upholds our values and mission so students stay on track to transition back into a mainstream school environment. This hub is a place where The Joy School community can access information about our distance learning model as well as access resources about online learning, our admissions process and ways to support our School from afar.

For critical updates regarding our reopening plans and programs, please visit our COVID-19 page.

Please click here for the TJS 2020-2021 Opening School Plan

First, let me say that the virtual learning program has been quite impressive and it has been great to be able to listen in on class. All four of the girls' teachers are so wonderful and have been supportive.
- Debbie Pacholder, Parent

#JoyFromAfar: Stories of Resiliency in Light of COVID-19

In our #JoyFromAfar blog series, we explore how The Joy School has adapted throughout the transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we illustrate ways the TJS community has pivoted quickly to an online learning format that stays true to The Joy School's values while also delivering upon its mission to support students so they can stay on track to transition to back into a mainstream school environment.

#JoyFromAfar: A Look at Online Learning with Christina Medina

In this #JoyfromAfar blog post, Christina Medina, Learning Specialist, explains how she developed an online learning program that worked best for her students, striking a balance between providing social opportunities with learning opportunities through live and on-demand videos and giving students chances to have fun while learning, even at a distance.

#JoyFromAfar: Building Social Skills and Providing Normalcy Through Virtual Hangouts

In this #JoyfromAfar blog post, Laura Gray, Dean of Students and Family Support, and Jonathan Li, Middle School Learning Specialist, describe the ways they support students' social and emotional growth by hosting virtual hangout meetings during The Joy School's COVID-19 closure.

Visit The Joy Blog for more stories about how we're adapting during COVID-19!

General Online Learning Information

Vision

VISION

During this time of uncertainty, our focus continues to be delivering our mission and developing the Keys to Success in all students in preparation for mainstreaming through a robust online experience that addresses both academic and social needs.

To keep our students on track with their academic and social goals, teachers have dedicated their time this summer to attending professional development and planning sessions to provide quality online classes via synchronous and asynchronous instruction, access to various digital and online resources, as well as hands-on resources students can utilize at home. Faculty and staff have also planned for small virtual hangouts for students that are designed to let them have fun while allowing them to interact and work on social skills informally with their teachers and peers.

Goals

ONLINE LEARNING GOALS

Monitor student and family, as well as staff and teachers' well-being during this period of time, including social-emotional impact, financial impact and familial support
Help students, teachers and families maintain a healthy balance between personal life responsibilities, remote learning responsibilities, and their personal state of well-being
Foster authentic student engagement in classroom lessons and activities through various remote learning platforms like Microsoft Teams and Seesaw for Schools
Monitor student success and achievement through submitted work

Key Terminology

REMOTE LEARNING (DISTANCE LEARNING)

Learning that occurs when the student and teacher are separated by time and distance, and therefore cannot meet in a traditional classroom setting. Information is transmitted through technology such as email, discussion boards, video conferences, audio recordings, etc, and no physical presence in a classroom is required. The learning can occur synchronously or asynchronously.

ONLINE LEARNING

Learning that occurs exclusively through the internet. It falls under the umbrella of Remote/Distance Learning but is specific to internet learning only. This is also used often in blended learning environments, pre-COVID-19 shutdowns.

SYNCHRONOUS

Learning that happens among a group of students and their teacher at the same time, in real-tine. Students are working on the same lessons, activities, and tasks at the same time, usually live using a communications tool such as Microsoft Teams and/or Zoom.

ASYNCHRONOUS

Learning that does not occur in the same place or at the same time. This type of set-up is done on the students' and teachers' own time frame and all work is set up ahead of time. For example, teachers may record a lesson digitally ahead of time, send the video to students to watch in their own time, and provide worksheets or an activity, like a discussion board, that is due at a later date. This type of learning offers more flexibility for both teachers and students to create, receive, complete, and turn in work.

SCREENCAST

A digital video recording of your computer screen, usually including audio narration and/or closed captions, that acts as an instructional video. Teachers often use these types of tools to record a lesson to show students remotely or as a reference tool. Screencast options include, but are not limited to, Screencastify, Explain Everything, ShowMe, FlipGrid ScreenCast Tool, Zoom Recording, Seesaw for Schools, and Microsoft Teams recording.

VIDEO CONFERENCE

A live virtual meeting in which participants are in different locations that includes audio and video functionality. Tools used at The Joy School for video conferencing include Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

INTERNET BROWSER

An internet browser, or web browser, is a software application that is used to access information on the World Wide Web. These often appear as a clickable icon/app on your deskop/laptop or Smart device. Examples include Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Safari.

INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE

An internet search engine, or web search engine, is a software system that is designed to carry out a web/internet search for a specific set of queries or parameters. Examples of search engines include Google.com, Bing.com, and Yahoo.com. The term, Internet Search Engine, is often confused with the term, internet browser, when they are actually very different applications. Think of search engines as webpages you go to instead of an app that you open.

INTERNET WEB PAGE/WEBSITE

A webpage is a document, commonly written in HTML, that is viewed in an Internet Browser. It is accessed through a unique URL address written in the browser's address bar and can contain text, graphics, videos and hyperlinks to other web pages and files. A website is a collection of these pages grouped together and connected in various ways.

Online Etiquette and Expectations

STUDENT LEARNING ETIQUETTE AND EXPECTATIONS

Be dressed. Attend online classes in a TJS uniform shirt.
Be yourself. Log on to classes with real names and no virtual backgrounds.
Be prepared. Charge and plug in devices before class and have materials needed close by.
Be on time. Arrive to class waiting room five minutes before start of class as attendance will be taken for each class.
Be present. Keep your face on camera during instruction.
Stay focused. Have dedicated work space for online classes and remain in the space for class.
Stay muted. Mute your device until it's your turn to speak.
Ask permission. Request permission to leave the work area.
Reconnect. Try to reconnect two more times if disconnected and contact your teacher immediately.
Be kind.
Please refer to our Acceptable Use Policy of Laptop/iPad devices of the 2020 - 2021 Family/Student handbook on pages, as well as the image below about Student Learning Expectations.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP AND REMOTE LEARNING STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR (from ISTE's standards for Student Education)

Students cultivate and manage their digital identity and reputation and are aware of the permanence of their actions in the digital world.
Students engage in positive, safe, legal and ethical behavior when using technology, including social interactions online or when using networked devices.
Students demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the rights and obligations of using and sharing intellectual property.
Students manage their personal data to maintain digital privacy and security and are aware of data-collection technology used to track their navigation online.
Students use digital tools to connect with learners from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, engaging with them in ways that broaden mutual understanding and learning.
Students use collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts or community members, to examine issues and problems from multiple viewpoints.
Students contribute constructively to project teams, assuming various roles and responsibilities to work effectively toward a common goal.

Please click here for the TJS 2020-2021 Opening School Plan

with Lower and Middle School details.

Lower School

Methodology

METHODOLOGY

In Lower School, we use a combination of learning tools and strategies, including work from digital/online resources, physical workbooks/worksheets, synchronous and asynchronous learning, and hands-on learning assignments. In true TJS fashion, the delivery of instruction and activities may vary from teacher to teacher in an effort to find the best working classroom set-up for the specific teacher and specific kids in his/her classroom. Teachers are required to work with students five days a week, via video-conferencing in large or small groups or one-on-one, depending on the needs of the students.

All classes also have access to our digital portfolio program, Seesaw for Schools, that allow students to take pictures, create posts, finish activities/assignments and turn these in to their teachers. Teachers and staff are committed to providing the necessary instruction to keep students fully engaged, learning, growing and developing an understanding of the work provided while maintaining a positive sense of self in an effort to stay on track to transition back into a mainstream school environment.

Expectations

EXPECTATIONS

Students will attend scheduled classes via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Attendance will be taken for live classes.
Students will complete assignments and turn them in remotely through Seesaw, OneNote, Teams or email
Students will follow teacher and school expectations for #JoyFromAfar instruction.
Students will adhere to The Joy School's Acceptable Use Policy while using TJS devices and/or digital resources and subscriptions.
Students should direct any concerns regarding tech use (including problems and concerns) to parents and teachers as they arise.
Parents should ensure that kids are set up for success and know how to get help during live classes. Students may need varying levels of support at home depending on age. Please allow as much independence as possible.
Please provide feedback to teachers for what works and what does not work for you and your child so we can make accommodations where and when possible.

Scheduling

SCHEDULING

Lower School teachers will create structured daily schedules that mirror instructional minutes provided when on campus. Each student will be engaged in up to four hours of synchronous instruction daily, including all content areas and either Art, Language and Cognitive Development, and P.E. This ensures that students can cover the same content they would if on campus. Teachers will work closely with parents and our Deans of Students to provide academic support when necessary. Please reference our TJS Opening School Plan for more details.

Middle School

Methodology

METHODOLOGY

In Middle School, we will be using a combination of learning tools and strategies, including work from digital/online resources, synchronous and asynchronous learning and hands-on learning assignments. In true Joy School fashion, the delivery of instruction and activities may vary from teacher to teacher in an effort to find the best working classroom set-up for the specific teacher and specific kids in his/her classroom.

Students will receive, complete and turn in assignments using a combination of email, OneNote and Microsoft Teams. Teachers will be very clear about what assignments are required and will be graded. Teachers and staff are committed to providing the necessary instruction to keep students fully engaged, learning and growing, and developing an understanding of the work provided while maintaining a positive sense of self in an effort to stay on track to transition back into a mainstream school environment.

Expectations

Students will attend scheduled live classes via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Attendance will be taken during live instruction.
Students will complete assignments and turn them in remotely through OneNote, Teams, or email.
Students will follow teacher and school expectations for #JoyFromAfar instruction.
Students will adhere to The Joy School's Acceptable Use Policy while using TJS devices and/or digital resources and subscriptions.
Parents should ensure that kids are set up for success and know how to get help during live classes.
Please provide feedback to teachers for what works and what does not work for you and your child and so we can make accommodations where and when possible.

Scheduling

SCHEDULING

Middle school students and teachers will follow the same daily schedule during #JoyFromAfar as they did when on campus. Students will attend synchronous (ZOOM) classes for their core content, electives, and study hall. Physical education classes will be held asynchronously with workouts posted on Microsoft TEAMS. This will provide students with the flexibility to complete these workouts at a time that is most convenient for them and allow for a break in continuous screen time.

Message from the Director of Development

While COVID-19 has certainly been an unprecedented time filled with new challenges, The Joy School has shined, showing strength in adaptability, flexibility and creativity. As a development team, we continue to adapt to the ever-evolving nature of this pandemic and want to assure you that we will continue to support our faculty and staff who are providing the best Joy School experience from afar.

It's truly impressive to see how everyone in our community, from faculty and staff to parents and students, have stepped up. This extends to all of our donors, volunteers, friends of The Joy School and supporters as well. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you for everything you have done for us this school year, before and after our COVID-19 closure.

We are deeply touched our Joy School community members have reached out to us asking how they can help. With past challenges, this community has come together. The best way you can help us is by supporting The Joy Fund, which gives our Head of School, Shara Bumgarner, the opportunity to place the funds in critical areas such as The Student Financial Aid Fund and to our amazing faculty and staff. Through this challenging time, we have #JoyfromAfar, but with all of you reaching out, we are honored TJS is still close to your hearts.

Because of your dedication to The Joy School, you are helping TJS deliver the best instruction, tools for accommodation and support to families during this time and into the future.

We are forever grateful!

Deborah Kirkland
Director of Development

Support TJS

Admissions

Message from the Admissions Team
Tours

Message from the Admissions Team

While we are unable to provide an in-person admissions process right now, we are committed to providing the best online admissions experience possible during COVID-19. It is important to know our team is taking extra care to ensure an equitable process for our applicants in this new format.

We continue to engage with families virtually just as we would in person to understand each family's needs deeply and build relationships with them while continuing to provide opportunities for families to assess us remotely as a potential school. The admissions team is adaptable and has full confidence in our teachers and school community to support each family with their academic and social needs. We like to say, "while our tools have changed, the relationships have not."

We are holding virtual tours and events for prospective and new families and will continue to engage through the spring and summer in order to make this a smooth transition.

Please continue to check this virtual hub for the most up to date information about our admissions process during this time, and please feel free to reach out to us with any questions, concerns or to learn more about The Joy School.

Christine Pratt
Director of Admissions

Rob Wise
Director of Enrollment Management