I wanted to begin by thanking all of you for your patience with all of us at Terrace and in District 62. During this unprecedented time, we are learning how to function in this new reality along with all of you. As you know, things change just about every day, and the same holds true for us. Sometimes things we are doing with remote learning this week might change in the weeks that follow. In any case, you will continue to receive communications from the district about any such changes.
Earlier this week I sent a communication to all of you that school (or remote learning) had started up again. As a parent myself, I realize the stresses you are all under in trying to balance your work lives and your ability to monitor your children's learning at home. We totally understand this component to remote learning. Our intent is NOT to overwhelm you or your children. However, please know that every remote learning day, your children will receive their daily expectations from their teachers any time between 9:00 - 9:30 a.m., and they will be available to help and give your children feedback throughout the day until 3:30 p.m., just like on a typical school day.
We believe it is important to keep your children in some kind of routine between their school tasks and recreational activities at home. Please try to ensure that your child is doing some school work every day, and help them to get into that routine of checking what their teacher is assigning. No student in any grade level should have more than two hours of work to do per day maximum (and even less time for our primary students). If you feel the work is taking longer than that, please relay your concerns to your child's teacher.
I know that some of you out there have been wondering why we cannot use Zoom so the kids can see their teacher and one another in real time. Please be patient with us on that, as we are trying to make sure that we are keeping your children and our staff safe and secure while using that platform. Hopefully the district will have that all worked out very soon.
Finally, I just wanted to say that I and the Terrace staff may sometimes reach out to you if we haven't received any work or communication from your child over the course of a couple days. Please understand that this is our way of checking in and letting you know we are concerned and that we care. We are trying our best to stay connected with your children and with you. Of course, please feel free to email me or your child’s teacher if you are in need of anything. We are here to help.
Please watch this very special Terrace News update with your children. It highlights Autism Awareness Day. We could not get every student's picture in, but stay tuned for more to come in the future.
As always, take care of one another, be safe, and remain healthy.
Dr. Stein