By Pete Bonds, Dean of Faculty and Academics
Last March, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Blue Ridge School moved all teaching and learning online. In a matter of mere days, BRS was up and running as an online school largely because of the herculean efforts of our teachers. Those early days of this pandemic feel like a lifetime ago, but in the time since we have been able to consider what a second iteration of distance learning might look like for Blue Ridge School. Unbelievably, for a few weeks in December and January, we will once again move all of our instruction online in accordance with our COVID-19 mitigation plan for the 2020-2021 school year.
Distance learning poses a particular challenge for a school like ours where the relationships that develop in classes, in the dorms, on the playing fields, and during weekend activities are a foundational piece of our educational model. It’s hard to move that online. Because Blue Ridge School is unlike any other school, we are crafting a distance learning program that will be unlike any other; it is a program custom built for Blue Ridge School’s students, teachers, and families.
I am struck these days by how many school administrators are wringing their hands in a panic, trying to figure out what distance learning is supposed to look like. They will never find the answer, because the truth is that every school must build its very own distance learning plan that aligns with the values, mission, and personality of each school. A one size fits all approach is mistaken when it comes to distance learning.
Here are some of the characteristics of Blue Ridge School Distance Learning 2.0:
It Is Flexible: In this iteration of distance learning, students will spend just as much time studying and learning as they would here on campus, but they’ll have some flexibility in how they accomplish this. Every day, students will meet with teachers and classmates in real time, but there will be expanded opportunities for asynchronous learning, meaning that students complete some of their learning at times that are most convenient to them. This will be especially important considering that over this period many of our students and their families will be traveling, some great distances, and their travel plans will not interfere significantly with their ability to learn and stay on track in their classes. Over the summer all of our teachers completed professional development in best practices for teaching online both synchronously and asynchronously, and we are ready to put what we learned to good use!
It Goes Beyond Academics: Our plan incorporates important aspects of the Blue Ridge School curriculum that complement our academic offerings. Winter distance learning will feature a robust college counseling program in which students at every grade level will complete activities related to the college search and application process. There will be opportunities for SAT/ACT prep, and times for students and families to meet with our College Counselor, Ms. Amber Wilkins. Parts of our character education program and residence life curriculum will also be retooled for online delivery.
It Is Supportive: Our students and families come from all over the United States and the world with a variety of needs. Students served by the Fishburne Learning Center will have opportunities to check in with their teachers as often as needed. Time for these meetings will be built into the daily schedule. Our school counselor will be available online just as he is on campus, and he will plan activities related to health and wellness. Above all else, we know how tremendously important the advisor-advisee connection is and we will maintain a strong advising program throughout our period of distance learning. Opportunities for students to meet with their advisors will continue to be a part of our weekly schedule.
By all accounts, our first attempt at distance learning in the spring of 2020 was quite successful, especially when compared to what many of our peer schools cobbled together. Out of necessity, we put that program together in only a few days. I am excited for you to see what we were able to design after having several months to reflect, plan, and prepare.
