Teaching and Learning
Our educational philosophy has caring relationships and high standards for academic development at its core. We adhere to our motto, “We joyfully nurture knowledge and faith.” We work with families to keep their children safe and to communicate children’s successes and struggles. No matter the learning environment (in-person, hybrid, or virtual) we continue to create a school where children have opportunities to develop Literacy and Math skills and explore major concepts in Social Studies and Science. We practice our faith daily through prayer, bible study, and reflections upon our actions in the community (home, school, faith, sports, and others).
As we enter the new school year, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching social distancing etiquette at developmentally appropriate levels.
The school has developed a continuity of learning plan for the 2020-2021 school year for in-person, remote, and hybrid models of instruction.
When a remote or hybrid learning model is necessary, certain groups of students will be prioritized for in-person learning to the greatest extent possible. This includes, but is not limited to, special education students, English language learners, students who did not engage in remote learning during the spring of 2020, and students with technology or connectivity needs.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School will use September 8-9, 2020 as Professional Development days for teachers to provide explicit instruction in new protocols and to review the protocols that will be discussed during the weeks leading up to the opening of school.
September 10 and 11 will be used as Orientation Days, with ½ the student body attending each day to practice the new procedures for re-entry into school, including meals, social distancing practices, safe removal and putting on of masks, safety drills, and handwashing practices.
Staggered drop-off times, new arrival and drop off patterns will be shared with families to allow for a smoother transition for students.
School will officially begin for all students on Monday, September 14, 2020. All students will be dropped off outside of the school buildings. Parents/Families will not be entering the school buildings. All health screenings will be conducted before family members dropping off students leave the premises (for those that were not able to screen at home). Bus Students will be provided with a paper copy of the health questionnaire. All students will have their temperature taken prior to entering the school building.
Grading practices will follow the NYS standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content.
Social Distancing within classrooms will be accomplished with individual safety dividers and classrooms set up in an array with all students facing the same direction with distance between each desk. For our younger students, children will use individual materials which are rotated in and out of the classroom for cleaning and disinfecting.
All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards. Teachers will use a variety of formal and informal tools (Running Records, Math Sprints, On Demand Writing Prompts, Literacy Checklists, IXL platform assessments, etc.) to assess students’ skills and learning levels in September. Teachers will use assessment data to support children’s learning and provide appropriate learning activities to facilitate growth.
Between 8:00 and 3:00, children will be in their classrooms with their teacher (cohort model). Groups will not co-mingle.
Special Area Teachers will travel to individual classrooms, except for PE which we will hold outdoors as much as possible.
Two outdoor times have been scheduled for each class. No classes will co-mingle during recess times (whether indoors or out).
For information on school schedules, visit the School Schedules section of our reopening plan.
For information about how in-person instruction information will be communicated to students and families, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.
Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, the school has developed a hybrid/blended learning model and schedule that can continue as is in a fully remote environment.
Instruction will not only focus on “core” subject areas but include specials areas (art, music, library, and physical education). All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.
All students are assumed to be enrolled in the in-person environment. If a parent/family wishes to enroll their child in a hybrid or fully remote learning environment, they will need to meet with the principal prior to September 10, 2020 to create an Individualized COVID-19 Instruction Plan (ICIP) which addresses technology, teacher office hours, mandatory virtual class sessions, daily substantive interactions with teachers, completion of work by the student and grading of work by the teacher. All students will need to complete work required by the specials teachers (music, art, library and physical education) and participate in on-line assessments. Attendance will be taken and all assigned work will be graded according to the grading standards set by the RCDA Catholic Schools Office.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School will use Google Classroom as its online learning platform. Students will be given in-person instruction to learn the platform and practice completing assignments.
Grading practices will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of knowledge and skills.
For infromation on school schedules, visit the School Schedules section of our reopening plan.
For information about how remote/hybrid instruction information will be communicated to students and families, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.
Remote Instruction for All Students (in case of a mandatory shutdown):
If a mandatory shutdown is ordered by the Schenectady County Health Department or the NYS Governor’s Office, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School will operate under its distance learning procedures.
Students will have daily, substantive interaction with their teachers, and per schedule, with their specials teachers.
Teachers and administrators will work together to prepare learning materials/go-bags of resources to support learning from home including class workbooks, trade books, number lines, counters, scissors, and glue.
Teachers will use Google Classroom as the platform for assignments, GoogleMeets, and grading of assignments. We will also use our YouTube channel for videos.
Daily attendance will be reported. Attendance will be tracked using the PowerSchool system.
Children are expected to follow the attendance policy of the school whether in-person, hybrid, or in a distance learning environment.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School Teachers will regularly communicate with parents/families during the course of a shutdown (minimum once per week).
Parents/families are encouraged to support the efforts of all teachers and stay abreast of their child’s engagement and progress.
For information about how distance learning instruction will be communicated to students and families, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement section of our reopening plan.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish School will work with each individual family to assess any technology needs. Classes will not be completely dependent upon technology to participate in remote learning. Textbooks, packets and other materials will be used and provided to all families.
In situations where students do not yet have sufficient access to devices and/or high-speed internet, differentiated lessons, not requiring a device, will be provided. Lessons will be designed in accordance with NYS Standards and aligned with current content being taught.