March 20, 2020
Notre Dame Announces Online Learning Calendar
Today, in an email to the Notre Dame community, Dr. Dwyer announced that Notre Dame's Online Teaching/Learning environment will extend to the beginning of our Holy Week/Easter break. All classes will finish on Thursday, April 2. There will be no classes on Friday, April 3 and all offices of the Academy will be closed.
You may read Dr. Dwyer's full update to the Notre Dame community here.
The Academy has created an Online Learning webpage with current communications, status updates, and health and wellness resources for our community.
| |
An Update from the Office of Information Resources and Technology
Notre Dame successfully embarked on a momentous occasion this week, going fully online with teaching and learning.
The Academy has been preparing for a moment like this for years— starting with our one-to-one MacBook program, and continuing through professional development centered around differentiated instruction and personalized feedback using technology.
These past months, Notre Dame established protocols for a successful online environment. Teachers have received training on pacing within an online environment, specifically on synchronous and asynchronous learning.
Teachers have been using resources like Google Meet (a Google-based video conferencing service), YoTeach!, or Kahoot to facilitate discussion, maintain routine, and provide feedback like a traditional classroom. Teachers are also utilizing the Google Suite of applications, Educreations, and Edpuzzle to assign work for students to complete asynchronously, encouraging students to learn at their own pace. The asynchronous setup also encourages students to take breaks from the screen, a necessity in an online environment.
To continue providing the best support, I encourage all parents and guardians to complete this short survey on your experience with online learning this week.
I thank you for the adjustments your house has needed to make over these past few weeks, and I'm grateful for the dedication our faculty, staff, and students show to support a quality education.
Mr. Tyler Gaspich
Director of Information Resources and Technologies
| |
Announcements
Access to BackPack Closed Until March 30
Quarter 3 ended on Tuesday, March 17. BackPack is currently closed to students and parents and will reopen on at 8:00 am, Monday, March 30. Report cards will be available on BackPack Wednesday, April 1 at 3:00 pm.
| |
Information from College Counseling
College admissions is changing quickly with the times! In response to the demand for reliable information about changes in admission programming responding to the coronavirus emergency, the National Association for College Admission Counseling has developed an online tool that we highly recommend. The resource will provide links to webpages as well as specific information about campus and office closures, reply date deadlines, status of scheduled events, and other admission-related activities.
The following events have been cancelled:
- April ACT national test date on April 4
- Tentative Case Studies Night for Junior students on April 20
- May SAT national test date on May 2
- Main Line College Fair at Villanova on May 21
For additional information on the SAT or ACT cancelled dates, please visit the linked websites. If you are a junior who had plans to take the June SAT or ACT, we highly recommend registering for them now as we anticipate test sites being full if the exams are administered as planned.
Our tentative Case Studies Night for junior students is now cancelled. If college reps are able to travel and we are back in school, we hope to plan a new date. If that should happen, we will let junior students and parents know as soon as possible.
All college fairs for the spring have been cancelled at this time with no plans to reschedule. For students who were hoping to make college visits this spring, please keep an eye on websites and your emails for possible virtual open houses or other online events as most college campuses are closing for the spring semester.
Please feel free to reach out to the College Counseling Department if you have any college-related concerns. We are happy to schedule virtual meetings as needed!
Lauryn Roth, Director of College Counseling, lroth@ndapa.org
Laura Losey, College Counselor, llosey@ndapa.org
Kevin Parsons, College Counselor, kparsons@ndapa.org
| |
Spiritual Resources from Campus Ministry
In a time of "social distancing," it's important to remember that we, the people of God, make up the Church! We are still the Body of Christ while we are physically apart from one another.
While we are unable to attend Mass, I wanted to offer some resources for prayer and reflection. This Lent, we are fasting, praying, and giving a bit differently than expected, but below are some resources that can help us to use this time to grow closer to God. Please know that I am available as a resource while we are in our online learning environment.
Ms. Julia Tully
Director of Campus Ministry
Mass Live Streams:
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
Sunday Mass 11:00 am
Georgetown University live streamed from Dahlgren Chapel
Sunday Mass at 7:00 pm
Georgetown University Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/georgetownuniv/
Other Live Resources:
Fr. James Martin, S.J.
Daily Faith Sharing, 3:00 pm
https://www.facebook.com/FrJamesMartin/
Health and Wellness for the ND Community
A Health and Wellness Collective from the Counseling and Physical Education Departments:
The change to virtual learning is a new challenge not only educationally, but also for maintaining overall mental and physical wellness. The ND Counseling and Physical Education departments aim to share ongoing ways to support mental and physical health during this time at home. PE teachers are available to speak with students about setting up an at home exercise routine. School counselors are also ready to meet with students and parents to assist with creating schedules for time management, how to navigate the decrease of in person social interactions with classmates, and to overall support families during this time of higher anxiety levels. Virtual meetings are readily available for support and assistance.
Get physically healthy: Have you considered getting into yoga? Yoga is a low impact workout that is good for your mind and body and is a great stress reliever too! There are numerous workouts you can find on the internet that require little to no equipment, here is one to start you off. 30-60 minutes of moderate to brisk activity is recommended daily.
Get mentally healthy: This is a new experience for so many, and often stress spikes with not being able to stay in control of one's regular daily activities. A few tips when transitioning to online learning- keep a routine/schedule to include meal times, but don't expect that you will be able to sit in front of your computer straight for seven hours. Build in time to get some fresh air, connect virtually with friends via FaceTime or another platform (this is very important with the change from daily social interaction in school/work), and find opportunities to reset and be more mindful. An easy way to reduce stress is through music, here's a six hour stream to try while you get work done! For more ideas on how to protect your mental health during this time, check out this TalkSpace article.
Look for more tips from our Health and Wellness Collective next week!
| |
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart - Bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you, Amen.
Taken from A New Zealand Prayer Book—He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa' (adapted)
| |
|
