Here at James River Day School, we are focused on delivering a quality academic program through distance learning. We continue to adjust and improve this program and its delivery based on your feedback and the widely varying needs of our families. We thank you for your support and partnership.
While the academics are important, it is just as important, if not more so given the stress of the times, to consider and address the emotional well-being and health of our students and their families. During this period of social distancing, we are all challenged. For many parents, it is a change in work environment from office to home. For all James River families, it is an adjustment to having your children home, all day, every day. Every family’s situation is different. For the students, it’s the loss of camaraderie from not being with their friends.
James River Day School’s mission guides us to teach and nurture the whole child, not just their academic growth. This, while more difficult with social distancing, must still be a priority during distance learning. How do we do that?
- Flexibility with assignments and deadlines
- Advisory group meetings, as well as individual meetings, between advisor and advisee as needed
- Individual Zoom meetings between teacher and student as needed
- Increased parent communication by both teachers and advisors
- Grade-level parent Zoom meetings
Our purpose is first to cherish your children. Only then can we challenge them with an education that works in this new normal. We also understand that to cherish and challenge our students in these days of distance learning, we are asking a lot of you. Your partnership is key to making this work. And if the challenge seems too much, we are listening. Please let us know how you are, how your children are, and please reach out to your child’s teacher and to me for help.
I thank you once again for your understanding and support. I invite you to visit the web page dedicated to our distance learning program. I am proud and honored to be part of such a compassionate community.
With my best regards,
Peter H. York
Head of School