remote learning

• Create an ambience for virtual classes, remove all distractions from the room.
• We suggest that students begin their studies at regular school hours.
• Do not let the children sleep late.
• Do set expectations around – blinking 15 times every minute, moving regularly and taking periodic breaks as they study.

Define the physical space for your child’s study – Your child may have a regular place for doing homework under normal circumstances, but this space may or may not be suitable for an extended period of time, as will be the case of virtual learning.

• We encourage families to establish a space/location where their children will learn most of the time.
• It should be a place that can be quiet at times and have a strong wireless internet signal, if possible.
• Ensure that no other device is placed in the same room.
• Multiple windows should not be open during virtual learning.
• Above all, it should be a space where parents are present and monitoring their children’s learning.

Monitor communications from your children’s teachers on Teams. Teachers will communicate with parents through Teams, as and when necessary. All communications from teachers regarding class schedule, timelines, google hangout sessions and assessments will happen through Teams. The frequency and detail of these communications will be determined by your children’s ages, maturity, and their degree of independence.

Parents are advised to contact their children’s teachers and emails are the preferred mode of communication. However, we ask parents to remember that teachers will be communicating with dozens of other families and hence the communication should be essential, succinct, and self-aware.

Parents are advised to use Parental Control softwares e.g. Qustodio, McAfee Total Protection, Norton Family Premier

Begin and end each day with a check-in. Parents are encouraged to start and finish each day with a simple check-in and centering exercises.

In the morning, ask your child

• What are they learning today?
• What are their learning targets or goals?
• How will they spend their time?
• What resources do they require?
• What support do they need?

This brief grounding conversation matters. It allows children to process the instructions they’ve received from their teachers. It helps them organise themselves and set priorities.
Older students may not want to have these check-ins but they should nevertheless. Parents are encouraged to establish these check-ins as a regular part of each day to help children navigate distance learning and create a much needed structure. These check-in routines are crucial for building the skills of self-discipline among children.

Encourage physical activity and/or exercise. Make sure your children remember to move and exercise keeping in mind their health and well-being. Our physical education teachers will recommend activities or exercises, but it is important for parents to model and encourage exercise.

Remain mindful of your child’s stress and anxiety. Heritage is implementing virtual learning given the unique situation at the moment and will continue to work in collaboration with parents to ensure the well-being of all students.

Monitor how much time your child is spending online. Teachers are creating virtual learning lessons which will have a right balance between online and offline learning experiences.

It is imperative to set rules around their social media interactions. Parents are expected to monitor their children’s use of social media. Help your children maintain contact with friends responsibly. Older students will rely more on social media to communicate with friends.

Please note that Social media apps such as SnapChat, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Facebook are not official, school-sanctioned channels of communication. Remind your children to be polite, respectful, and appropriate in their communications and to represent the school’s values in their interactions with others, this applies for written words and as well as tone of conversation.

• I will only use school technology for school purposes as directed by my teacher.
• I will only take part in ‘live’ streaming if an adult knows that I am doing it.
• I will not reveal my passwords to anyone.
• I will be responsible for my behaviour and actions when using technology (Microsoft Teams and Other interactive applications), this includes the resources I access and the language I use.
• I will make sure that all my communication with students, teachers or others using technology is responsible and sensible.
• I will not deliberately browse, download, upload or forward material that could be considered offensive or illegal. If I accidentally come across any such material I will report it immediately to my teacher or my parent.
• I will not share resources or videos created by my teachers with anyone who is not a pupil or member of staff at SJCS
• I will not record or take photos of my classmates or teachers during a face-to-face session.
• I will not share any school content on social media platforms
• I understand that when using Microsoft Teams and other applications provided by the school that my use can be monitored and logged and can be made available to my teachers.
• If audio/video conferencing is used, I understand that this might be recorded by the teacher only in order for this to be forwarded to any pupil who missed the live conferencing.
• I will continue to follow the rules regarding my use of technology as outlined in the school’s Pupil Acceptable User Agreement which can be found in the school homework planner.
• I understand that these rules are designed to help keep me safe and that if they are not followed, school sanctions will be applied and my parent may be contacted.
• When participating in an audio or video conference on Microsoft Teams, or any other video conferencing software, remember that this is an extension of the classroom and you should conduct yourself as you would when on your best behaviour in a classroom.
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• Be on time for your interactive session
• Be dressed appropriately for learning (e.g. no pyjamas)
• Remain attentive during sessions
• Interact patiently and respectfully with your teachers and peers
• Provide feedback to teachers about your experiences and any relevant suggestions
• Video conference from an environment that is quiet, safe, public and free from distractions. Please avoid using a bedroom for video conferencing.
• You MUST NOT record each other’s online interactions. If the lesson is to be recorded, this will be done by the teacher.
• Make sure you end the session as soon as the teacher indicates to do so and do not stay in the session after the teacher has left.

• Setup a daily routine
• Find a comfortable, quiet space to study. Your background should not distract other participants
• Regularly monitor Teams to check for announcements and feedback from your teachers
• Do not open multiple windows on your laptop. There should be no other device in the room. Keep only your Teams system open.
• Be mindful of ambient noise and movements. They should not distract others.
• Keep your notebooks with you. Your brain remembers more when you use pens and paper. Typing your notes may not be as effective
• Complete assignments with integrity and academic honesty and meet the timelines
• Communicate proactively with your teachers if you need additional support
• Collaborate and support your peers in their learning
• Comply with the school’s Behaviour Management and Acceptable Usage Policy while you are online

It is important to recognize that the online classroom is in fact a classroom, and certain behaviours are expected when you communicate with both your peers and your teachers. These guidelines for online behaviour and interaction are known as netiquette.

• Be vigilant: Visit safe sites which are age appropriate and approved by your parents and teachers
• Be cautious: Make good choices when you are online. Share only information that is required and safe to share. Make sure that you log out after your work is done. Do not share your password with anybody.
• Be respectful: Be kind and respectful to others when you are online. Promise to THINK – True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind. Avoid slang terms such as “wassup?” and texting abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you.”
• Be vocal: Tell your parents and teachers if someone is being hurtful or unkind online or sharing disturbing content. Stand up to Cyber Bullying and remember that your digital presence should not hurt others.
• Be safe: Use safe Wifi networks and keep your device safe and secure at all times.
• Be honest: Always follow copyright laws and remember to cite the sources that you use for your work.