ThayerConnect

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

While we would, of course, prefer to be on campus, the Middle School faculty has nonetheless been thoroughly preparing to implement Thayer’s distance learning program, ThayerConnect.

As you may know, teachers completed a Zoom “dry run” with their students on the last day of classes prior to spring recess, and faculty members continue to familiarize themselves with the platform. During spring recess, for example, teachers met via Zoom, both departmentally and in large groups. They have also been engaging in individual planning, with the ultimate goal of seamlessly transitioning to distance learning on April 1. Although there will doubtless be some challenges to face as we become more familiar with our new school format, we are confident that our students will continue to enjoy an enriching and worthwhile academic experience.

Respectfully,
Carson Smith P ’25
Middle School Director

ThayerConnect in the Middle School

Middle School teachers will conduct all classes via the Zoom application while, as always, fully utilizing Thayer’s Learning Management System (myschoolapp), also known as the classroom portals. Again — and as teachers will remind students on the first day of classes — students should be checking myschoolapp and their Thayer email accounts frequently.
The Middle School will continue to follow its six-day rotating schedule, which is noted in students’ planbooks. For your reference, Wednesday, April 1, is Day 6; Thursday, April 2, is Day 1; Friday, April 3, is Day 2; and so on.
Students will continue to receive grades for the duration of Thayer’s distance learning program, and grades may include homework, participation in online or Zoom discussions, and tests and quizzes, which students may be required to take at home, or other assessments at each teacher’s discretion. Any assessments taken at home will be done so under the expectations of Thayer Academy’s Student Handbook and Honor Code, which specifically notes the importance of integrity, personal standards of honesty, and maintaining the respect of the community by avoiding cheating or other dishonest behavior.
Students will receive an email from each teacher by 5 p.m. on the day before classes begin for the week (usually Sunday, but on Tuesday, March 31, for the first week of distance learning) that will outline the class schedule and expectations for the week. As always, homework will be posted on myschoolapp, along with any materials besides their textbooks that students may need for the week (handouts, study guides, etc.).
Classes will not be recorded. As always, if a student misses a class, that student should contact the teacher of that class directly, and the teacher will let the student know what has been missed and make arrangements to explain the material and/or make up assignments when necessary.

Class Schedule

Class Schedule

The class schedule is below. Students should be in the Zoom meeting for their respective classes a minute or so before the designated class time. A permanent link to each class will be on the front page of each section's classroom portal in the Learning Management System (myschoolapp). Classes will continue to meet on their regular schedule; each academic class will meet five times during the six-day rotation. Arts classes and personal development classes (Health, Decisions, and Contributing Citizens) will continue to meet, and advisor groups will meet via Zoom for five minutes at the beginning of each school day. When a student’s schedule indicates a study hall, there will be no Zoom meeting unless you have a scheduled HLC meeting time.

8:15 - 8:20 a.m. - Advisory
8:30 - 9:00 a.m. - 1st period
9:15 - 9:45 a.m. - 2nd period
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. - 3rd period
10:45 - 11:15 a.m. - 4th period
11:30 a.m. - 12 noon - 5th period
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. - Extra Help Period. Teachers will be available for questions on Zoom and can work with students one-on-one or in small groups. Students who want to utilize the extra help period should contact teachers via email to set up an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students speak to faculty members other than their teachers?

Is Mr. Wyche available to meet with students?

Whom should I contact if I have technology issues?

What if a child is sick or unable to attend a scheduled class?

What if I have questions that are not addressed above?

Will I have access to the Hale Learning Center during the Distance Learning period?

Absolutely! The Hale Center will follow their regular schedule, in the same way scheduled classes will. If you already meet with Mrs. Brosnan or Mrs. Shafter during your study hall time, you can expect to meet with them on the same day, during your assigned period, over Zoom. If you meet with Mrs. Brosnan or Mrs. Shafter during your elective or extra help time, you can expect to meet with them during the 12:30-1:30 Extra Help Period. You will receive an email with your time from the HLC. If you are looking for new or additional help, contact them via email and they will schedule time to support you. The HLC recognizes that Distance Learning will require different time management and organizational strategies and they’re here to help. Please don’t hesitate to email Mrs. Brosnan or Mrs. Shafter with any questions!

Important Links

MySchoolApp
Schedules, class pages, assignments

Zoom
Live online meetings and classes

TigerGuides
Thayer databases, course guides, virtual library

Download MIDDLE School Daily Schedule

Expectations for Students
Tips for Parents and Guardians

Expectations for Students

Students should be on video at all times during class. Likewise, teachers will always be on video.
Students should be muted at all times, as if one is using “speaker view” in Zoom, it is better when people are muted, so if they cough, speak to someone at home, etc., the view does not go to them. When students are to speak — either by raising their hand (virtually or in person), when they are called on or within the flow of the class — they can unmute. Teachers may alter this expectation as students and teachers become more accustomed to the platform.
While students are not required to utilize headphones or a Bluetooth speaker, if they have either available, they may find them helpful.
Students should not record classes, nor should they take screenshots or videos of their teachers or their classmates. Click here to review the Academy's AUTP.
Students may understandably find it difficult to ignore distractions, particularly initially. In order to maintain focus, students should keep their web browsers and other windows closed, except when directed by their teacher.
As always, students should complete and submit work without outside assistance, unless specifically directed by their teacher to work with someone else, such as another student or a group of students.
Expectations for classroom conduct and deportment will be the same as they would be during a class on campus. Students should conduct themselves in accordance with the Thayer Academy Honor Code, including exhibiting respect for others, and they should be dressed appropriately for class. Hats during class time are forbidden.

Tips for Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians will obviously play a larger role in ThayerConnect than they do in the traditional classroom. While you know your children well, some suggestions are below:

Set up a routine for students, including times to go to bed and to wake up. School will start a little later than usual, and without commuting time, students should be able to sleep a bit later, which is a benefit to distance learning.
Designate a quiet place in the home for students to complete school work, such as a desk in their bedroom or a kitchen or dining room table. It should be a spot that has a strong Internet connection.
Remind students to check their Thayer email accounts and monitor their course pages regularly for updates, assignments, and due dates.
Make sure students have access to all necessary resources and applications, including a reliable internet browser, such as Chrome, and the Zoom meeting application.
Encourage students to get some exercise, put school work aside, and perhaps get a snack during breaks and after the school day ends. Another benefit of the distance learning schedule is a 15-minute break between each class.
Please check in with your students frequently to make sure everything is going smoothly. Please feel free to contact your child’s teachers and advisor, as well as Mr. Wyche or Mr. Smith, should you need to. As always, questions about a single class should be directed to the teacher of that class, and more general questions about a student should be directed to the child’s advisor.
Again, this is, at least to some extent, a learning experience for all, and we expect that there will be some small adjustments to ThayerConnect over time. Parents are partners in this experience, and our Communications Department will conduct a parent-and-student survey one to two weeks after ThayerConnect begins so that we can assess its effectiveness and make any necessary changes.

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