April 10, 2020
Dear Parents,
With both Passover and Easter occurring this week, families are having an especially hard time. I write to simply wish you joy and peace and a promise of better times to come.
We are now at the end of our second full week of the spring term. The campus is looking gorgeous. Spring seems to have come early as trees are in full blossom everywhere, and the daffodils, tulips, and other bulbs are either in full bloom or are about to burst into color. It seems especially sad not to have students here to enjoy nature's bounty.
I wrote to seniors and their parents earlier in the week to let them know that we will be postponing graduation. While we will have the full Commencement at some point with all the traditional pomp and circumstance, it will not be on Memorial Day weekend as originally scheduled. It was a sad decision to have to make, and I know that our seniors are disappointed. Shortly after having made that decision, we also decided to cancel our Reunion Weekend that had been scheduled for June 12–14. We will instead hold a double reunion in June 2021.
I also want to let you know that we will be sending out a survey sometime next week seeking your and your student's input on how distance learning is working. While I have been extremely impressed with the way the faculty have handled this once-in-a-lifetime challenge, I also know that there are always things that we can improve. Two particular issues for which we will be seeking input relate to the amount of homework and synchronous vs. asynchronous class schedules. I have heard from some parents that their students are overwhelmed with the amount of homework, but from others a request that we keep them busier. Opinions of just how synchronous to be are equally divided. A survey will provide some insight on these questions and will allow us to reflect on what is working and what needs to improve.
Finally, I hope that you find time to be with family this weekend. Stay safe and stay well.
Sheila
The Loomis Chaffee School • 4 Batchelder Road • Windsor, CT 06095 • 860.687.6000
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