Principal's Press - DA Distance Learning MS/HS Info - March 22, 2020
MATTHEW 6:25-27
From the Sermon on the Mount: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink: or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Dear Middle School and High School Families,
As our Spring Break comes to a close, I know you have many questions. Don't worry, just like our Lord promised, as to eating, drinking, and having clothes. All your questions about schooling will be answered as we move forward. If you become confused or frustrated, email me at tshrader@davidsonacademy.com or text or call me at 615-566-9955. Do not worry about bothering me; I'm available anytime. A mentor of mine used to say, "High school principals have their keys fastened to their pajamas." I think he meant if you choose to be a high school principal, you choose to be available whenever the students and parents need you. That applies to middle school as well.
Here is the status of the middle and high school (grades 5-12): On March 23 and 24, teachers will be training on our Remote or Distance Learning plan. The Administration has been working diligently during "Spring Break" to finalize the plan we started just before our Spring Break week began. Many teachers have selflessly volunteered their time, as well, to help us in our planning. This plan continues to evolve, as we have more information and learn more about how to best serve our students remotely.
On March 25: Teachers will roll out an asynchronous learning plan (work that can be done anytime) for all MS and HS students for March 25-27. This work will be done independently by our students and completed by March 29.
On March 30: Teachers will roll out a hybrid learning plan, which means it uses synchronous learning (we are together at a specified time) and asynchronous learning (students may do the work anytime). This plan will be used until we can get back to school.
The high school and middle school students will have a schedule for their synchronous classes. The schedules will not look exactly alike, and will be shared with everyone as soon as we train our teachers on the implementation of the plan. Teachers will be available for your questions pertaining to each schedule.
This plan has been put together as to not overwhelm our students, and yet give them ample access to their teachers both "in class" and individually, as well as access to quality learning. Independent School Management (ISM), a national leader in independent school research-based best practice, has shared resources with us, and we have modeled our DA plan after their recommendations. I realize this is not the same as being in class, but I feel, through the hard work of many people (especially Pam Sanders, our Dean of Instruction), we have an optimal plan for remote learning.
ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED WILL BE POSTED ON YOUR MyDA PARENT PORTAL!
On Monday, March 23, I will host a meeting for all of you to share further information and let you participate in a meeting using Zoom, our online meeting platform.
The Middle School Parent meeting will be from 6:00-6:30, and the High School Parent meeting will be from 7:00-7:30. I will send you a link, by email, to click on, and Zoom will guide you from there. Please choose to participate with video and use the microphone on the device you access the meeting through. This meeting is for anyone in the DA family, students, parents, teachers, and interested others.
Also, Mac Swann, our beloved Dean of Students, will be engaging with the students to help them through the transition to our Remote Learning platform and to assist them in any matters that relate to Student Life in this new environment.
Remember, II Timothy 1:7 says,
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind. (KJV)
May God bless you and keep you through this trial! I love you!
Terry Shrader
MS and HS Head of Schools/Principal
Davidson Academy
