Currently, all East scholars (and all scholars throughout the RCSD) are participating in 100% distance learning.

Beginning January 4th, 2021, Students with Disabilities in Specialized Programs have the option of participating in a hyrid learning model with four days of in-person learning. Contact Jason.George@rcsdk12.org, East's Special Education Director, if you have questions.

In late November 2020, RCSD Superintendent Dr. Leslie Myers-Small outlined a hybrid learning plan with two days of in-person instruction for all other students. This is proposed to begin to take effect as soon as February 2021. East will provide further updates as the date approaches. 

As of 11/20/2020, all K-12 students will continue with distance learning.

Beginning January 4th, 2021 Students with Disabilities in Specialized Programs have the option to participate in a hybrid learning plan with four days of in-person learning a week.

As of 11/19/2020, RCSD Superintendent Dr. Leslie Myers-Small outlined a plan for all other RCSD students to have the option of participating in a hybrid learning plan with two days of in-person learning a week beginning as soon as February 2021.

East will communicate furter information when that becomes available. Until then, please visit the RCSD Reopens webpage for more information: https://www.rcsdk12.org/reopens.

The 2020-2021 school calendar is linked here.

You should have received your child's class schedule in the mail at the start of the year.

Also, your child's class schedule can always be accessed in their Google Classroom or via the PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://www.rcsdk12.org/parentportal.

During in-person schooling the bell schedules are different between East Upper and Lower Schools. However, during distance learning the "bell schedule" is the same for both schools: the school day is from 8:00 a.m. - 2:55 p.m., and synchronous learning happens on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, while asynchronous learning happens on Wednesdays (with the exception of Family Group and optional office hours).

Scholars will have an AC/BD-day schedule as normal. Monday will always be an A-day, Tuesday will always be a B-day, Thursday will always be a C-day, and Friday will always be a D-day.

Synchronous learning means scholars and teachers are working together at the same time. For example, "normal" in-person classroom teaching is a synchronous activity. Scholars and teachers working together virtually at the same time is a synchronous activity, too. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays will be synchronous learning days.

Asynchronous learning means scholars and teachers are working independently at their own pace according to their own schedule. For example, Wednesday will be an asynchronous learning day. However, scholars and teachers will still be able to meet synchronously on asynchronous days if they so choose.

We held supply pickups the week before school. If your scholar still needs a Chromebook, MiFi, or class materials, please contact East's Home-School Assistant, Angel Alicea, at Angel.Alicea1@rcsdk12.org.

There will not be an in-person start-of-year orientation. However, the Lower School and Upper School principals created start-of-year orientation videos, linked below.

Lower School orientation video

Upper School orientation video

Teachers are working hard to ensure the same high quality instruction that's delivered for in-person classes is being delivered for distance learning classes. While you can expect for teachers to use a variety of strategies for teaching virtually, you can expect most lessons to take place via Google Classroom and Zoom.

Google Classroom - Scholars will have a unique virtual "Google Classroom" for each class they are taking. They will receive their Google Classroom codes from their teachers, and they will use those codes to "join" the class for the remainder of the year. Through their class' Google Classroom, scholars can communicate with their teacher and classmates, view their assignments, and submit their work. As the parent or guardian, you are able to join each of your scholar's Google Classrooms. Many scholars will already be familiar with how to use Google Classroom; however, we will share instructions with you and your scholars on how to use the platform. For more information about Google Classroom, please see this this resource: https://docs.google.com/document/d/148jp2dXTjPBS1xfI3jA8ZqiVNadtvspZpOqFAfFDUxo/edit?usp=sharing.

Zoom - Most classes will hold synchronous instruction via Zoom. Teachers will begin each class by taking attendance based on which scholars are present on the Zoom call. Instruction will continue throughout the call, with direct content facilitation, shared discussions, and breakout rooms. We will share instructions with you and your scholars on how to use Zoom.

We have several school-wide norms to make distance learning work well for everyone. Please review these with your scholar. Teachers and scholar may develop norms specific to their own class, too.

Note: East's distance learning attendance policy is different than the RCSD's distance learning attendance policy.

Attendance will be taken at the start of each synchronous class. Scholars will be marked present if the teacher sees them via video at the start of the lesson, and if the scholar stays in the class throughout the whole lesson.

Although we are teaching and learning from home, academic expectations are the same as they would be for in-person schooling. Being present and engaged in class, completing assignments on time, and performing well on assessments are all important. Class credits will be earned as they normally would: scholars must pass the class by cumulatively getting a passing grade in the class overall.

Teachers have posted their class-specific grading policies on their Google Classroom pages, so check each of your scholar's classes for more information.

Scholars will be required to have their videos on at the start of each synchronous class for attendance purposes. After that, they can turn their videos off, unless directed to do so by their teacher.

Scholars with 504 plans or IEPs will have a "case manager" assigned to them. This designated special education teacher will work with you, your scholars, and your scholars teachers to ensure their learning needs are met throughout distance learning. You will work with the case manager to create a Distance Learning Plan that meets everyone's needs.

SEL stands for social-emotional learning. Scholars have an optional 55 minutes of social-emotional learning built into their schedules on synchronous learning days from 8:00 - 8:55 a.m. Scholars have the opportunity to meet with their counselor or the social work team between that time.

Also, all synchronous classes will start with a 5 minute social-emotional learning check in, and Family Group will continue to play a core role in teaching about social-emotional development. 

There is a strong emphasis placed on social-emotional learning this year due to the many stresses from COVID-19 and other social events. If you think your child would benefit from social-emotional support, contact their counselor or another trusted staff member.

While the home environment has always been important for a student's learning and development, it is even more important throughout distance learning.

Please see our Distance Learning: Resources for Success video several strategies and resources on making the home more conducive to student learning.

The school-home partnership is crucial for student well-being. Please connect with us if you ever have questions or concerns.

Your scholar needs to have access to a computer and the internet. All scholars should already have an RCSD-issued chromebook computer for their personal academic use. Scholars will also need to have access to the internet, such as through your personal WiFi or through an RCSD-issued MiFi device.

If your child's RCSD-issued equipment needs to be reparied or replaced, or if your child needs to acquire either an RCSD-issued chromebook or MiFi, please contact our Instructional Technology Specialist, Andrea Zurlo, at Andrea.Zurlo@rcsdk12.org.

There will be virtual afterschool and extracurricular activities for scholars to participate in. These could be a virtual "club" with interested scholars and teachers or virtual service provision from one of our collaborative partners.

As of Wednesday, Setepmber 16th, organized sports will not practice or play until at least March 21st, 2021.