Distance Learning

From Dr. Molly Grumich

April 20 Update

Welcome to a new week of our Distance Learning Program at Nerinx Hall! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and got the chance to get outside yesterday and enjoy that beautiful weather we were having.

We appreciate all the responses we had to our parent survey regarding our online learning and how it is going. We were appreciative of the positive feedback and comments that let us know that much of what we are doing is working and the gratitude you shared for all the faculty have been providing our students. Based on the constructive feedback we have been tweaking our program to include more teacher featured videos, the inclusion of homeroom and more community type elements in our program. I am continually proud of the commitment to academics our students are showing in this new learning environment. The amount of work continues to be the focus of our attention as we received a wide variety of responses from too little to too much. Our continued hope is that our distance learning format be one of engagement and continued growth for our students. As always, we are committed to evaluating and adapting as we go.

This Friday we have a special schedule because we will celebrate Founders Day online! Our student government along with Mil and Jody have a variety of activities for students to enjoy and join in on. It will be a great afternoon of learning and fun.

We are a united community, built on faith, and will continue to work and grow together through this new reality. Let us not forget that we can do hard stuff. We got this.

Resources

DISTANCE LEARNING DETAILS

Overview

What will distance learning look like at Nerinx?

The main goal of our distance learning program is for students to continue to progress toward established curricular learning goals. The current reality will make learning happen differently than that we are used to in our traditional school setting. Yet, with our teachers providing ongoing guidance and support we are confident our students will continue to grow by learning essential skills and content in their academic courses. Additionally, each of our students will be challenged with this opportunity to demonstrate initiative and independence.

Posting and Completing Assignments

Teachers will utilize Canvas to share assignments and course content during distance learning. Students will find all needed information there. Due dates and times will also be included for assignments on Canvas.

During this time of distance learning, TEACHERS will:

Provide clear procedures and expectations for students in their courses
Provide regular and timely updates in Canvas, including all required assignments and assessments
Be available and provide prompt responses to communication from students

During this time of Distance Learning, STUDENTS will:

Develop a schedule and routine to help them be productive and healthy
Be proactive, timely, and responsive with their school work and teacher communications
Communicate a need for support if they encounter something that is preventing them from learning, completing their work, or participating as required.

SCHEDULE

Distance Learning APPROACH

Our focus during our distance learning time will be on Asynchronous learning. This happens when teachers and students do not have to be online at the same time. It can occur during, or outside of, the scheduled class time. Synchronous learning occurs when teachers and students are online at the same time. If a teacher is planning to have a synchronous activity, they will let the students know ahead of time and that learning activity will happen during the designated class time. The teacher will also record and post the synchronous activity for those who might not be able to join in at the designated time.

DISTANCE LEARNING SCHEDULE

Nerinx is providing the schedule to the right as a guide—three class blocks per day, plus time for independent work, conferencing, and online advisory. We know that having a routine is good for a student’s mental health. We are also aware that the schedule Nerinx is sharing might not work for your family—and that's okay. If this schedule does not work, please create one that does. It is important that students have some continuity and predictability in their days.

Much like your own families, some of our teachers are at home with kids who are also distance learning. We recognize that our students might be in positions where they need to take care of younger siblings and have additional duties at home. Our goal is to be flexible. We will have expectations for learning time and assignments, but they will be tempered with our current world reality.

Class time

Classes will be an hour at a time where students can focus on instructional materials that teachers have shared.

Work/Conference time

These blocks give students the chance to catch up on needed assignments, to reach out to teachers with questions, or, if the timing works out, to schedule an appointment with a teacher, counselor, etc.

Online advisory

We plan to utilize this time for club stuff in the coming weeks.

Physical Activity, Lunch, & Individual Pursuits

This down time in the day is for students to move and be active, enjoy lunch, and maybe work on an individual project that fuels their passion for learning. If a student has one or more free periods, I would highly encourage a passion project. Do you want to learn to play an instrument? Cook a special dish? Sew? This would be a wonderful chance to devote time to something you have always wanted to take on! You will have the time and it will give you a great opportunity to challenge yourself.

Download the schedule

EXPECTATIONS

Space

Students should have a space where they can "be at school” and do their academic work. They need a desk, table, or work surface and an upright chair. Students should not be in bed when they are doing school work or working with classmates or teachers.

Attire

All students should be up and dressed appropriately for “school”. That means a shirt that provides full coverage with no inappropriate/offensive logos or words. Students should also be wearing some sort of bottom (pants or shorts).

Counseling

As the Nerinx community adjusts to online learning, the Counseling Department is here to support students and parents in a variety of ways. Each counselor and learning specialist will be available electronically Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. starting March 25. Our virtual hours may need to become more fluid in the coming weeks to meet students' needs. We will do our best to stay connected with students and families; however, messages received after 8 p.m. may not be responded to until the next day.

ACADEMIC

Our Learning Specialists, Mrs. Kepler and Ms. Sidney, will contact their students to assist with strategies for organization, time management, task completion, and any other academic concerns students may have. We also encourage students and parents to reach out to us as needed at fkepler@nerinxhs.org and ssidney@nerinxhs.org

SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL & ACADEMIC

Ms. Price (A-K) and Mrs. Morrison (L-Z) will contact their students to offer support and share additional resources. Parents are welcome to email counselors with questions and concerns at dprice@nerinxhs.org and amorrison@nerinxhs.org. We understand the sensitive nature of virtual/distance counseling and we will maintain strict guidelines to ensure the highest level of confidentiality our students and parents would expect and deserve.

Anytime there is a medical emergency, please call 911. For mental health crisis, please contact the St. Louis Youth Connection Helpline.

CALL

1-877-928-2929

CHAT

keepingkidsfirst.org

TEXT

4HLP to 31658

Life Crisis Services

314-647-4357

EMERGENCY Mental Health Resources

Emergency Mental Health Services:
Behavioral Health Response (BHR) 314-469-6644 Hotline Help
Communities Healing Adolescent Depression and Suicide CHADS (314-952-8274)

Mental Health Services
A member of the United Way-Counseling at no charge/financial assistance for families in St. Louis County under the Child Fund Grant
Community Psychological Service
University of Missouri-St. Louis
232 Stadler
One University Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri. 63121 (314) 516-5824

More resources available HERE including sliding scale or other fee based services and telehealth therapy. Check back for additional resources as they become available.

COLLEGE & CAREER

Mrs. Timmons and Mrs. Hermann welcome questions from students and parents via email at jtimmons@nerinxhs.org and rhermann@nerinxhs.org. If questions require a phone call response, counselors will send a Zoom invitation to hold an audio only meeting. Juniors continue to have access to the Canvas Class.

If you are currently taking a college-credit course, we've provided updates from UMSL and SLU for Spring 2020.
Saint Louis University 1818 Covid-19 FAQs and resources
UMSL ACP information

Many colleges and universities are offering virtual tours and other resources since campus visits are not possible. The New York Times had a recent article on the decision-making process.

Counselors will also be available to review financial aid offers with students electronically. The College Board has a helpful resource for comparing aid packages as well: Compare Your Awards.

College Scholarships: St. Louis Community Foundation Scholarships have extended their deadline to May 1st. See those scholarships here.

For all parents and students, but especially seniors and juniors

Parents and students can access episodes of College Admissions Decoded from the National Association of Colleges Admissions Officers here. Episodes cover financial aid, how families work with college admissions officers, myths and facts about the college admissions process and more.

Free access to an online college fair from CIALFO is available here. Some presentations have delayed audio initially as speakers "settle in." Some presentations address international students. They include college specific information and information related to a specific topic that relate to a number of colleges.

Juniors and Sophomores interested in exploring colleges can access more resources through NACAC (National Association of College Admissions Counselors)

This week, NACAC announced a Go To College 3-day interactive college fair.Go to the link to learn more and register. Dates are May 4 - 6, 11am to 7 pm Eastern Time.

CAMPUS MINISTRY

Office Hours with Mr. Zaegel
Just because we're physically apart, don't let that stop us from chatting! I want to continue to be as available to you as possible. So if you (or a group of you) want to set up a time to chat via Zoom, just shoot me an email and we can schedule a time! I will usually be available Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Bagels with Zaegel
To offer a little extra support and encouragement during this time, check out these daily, 2-minute bites!
Tuesday, April 14
Wednesday, April 15
Thursday, April 16
Friday, April 17
Monday, April 20
Wednesday, April 22
Friday, April 24
Monday, April 27

Online Prayer Services
Lenten Prayer Service for Monday, March 30
Lenten Prayer Service for Monday, April 6

MORNING PRAYER

Check you emails for the Morning Show and prayer!

Service

Notes from Ms. Buchek about Service Learning Hours

If you have not completed your service hours for this school year they will be waived if you complete one Random Act of Kindness from now until May 1, 2020. I will include some ideas below, but these are just a guide as any Random Act of Kindness will count! Once you complete a Random Act of Kindness, you can take a photo/video, or send a description of what you did, to me.

Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness include: helping around the house, helping a sibling with school work, calling a grandparent or someone who might be feeling lonely at this time, writing a note to someone, setting up a time for virtual tutoring or storytime with a younger neighbor or relative. Again, these are just a few ideas, so be creative and remember to email your Random Act of Kindness to me by May 1, 2020. Even if you complete one Random Act of Kindness you can continue to send me photos or descriptions of additional kind things you are doing for others. You all always amaze me and I am sure you will continue to do so during this time.

I will be reaching out soon as we are hoping to coordinate a letter writing effort to send notes to the Sisters of Loretto, and others in our community who may need some support. I also might have some opportunities for virtual tutoring so please email me if you are interested in that.

Virtual Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips from Mrs. Hunt

One of the hallmarks of the Nerinx philosophy is that “Women must know themselves and their world.” Although we can’t take field trips in person right now, we can take virtual field trips. Each week I will highlight a fun trip you can take from your very own laptop.

Week of May 11^th – Virtual Art Museum Visits, at Home and Abroad

For our final virtual field trip of the school year, visit the St. Louis Art Museum online where you can explore the museum’s collection of 34,000 objects - https://www.slam.org/There is also a special guided tour of the Millet and Modern Art exhibition https://www.slam.org/explore-the-collection/millet-and-modern-art/. In this show we learn about the influence of 19th-century French painter Jean-François Millet, an artist considered to be a bit of a radical for his time. The St. Louis Art Museum is also featuring an object of the day which you can view here: https://www.slam.org/explore-the-collection/object-of-the-day/

After your tour around the St. Louis Art Museum, check out museums around the world on Google Arts and Culture. Google has worked with over 1,200 museums worldwide to bring high-quality images of these collections to us online. Here’s a link to 10 amazing museums: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/10-top-museums-you-can-explore-right-here-right-now/igKSKBBnEBSGKg

Aristotle said, “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” Keep this quote in mind when you take your virtual journeys!