As we enter into a period of distance learning at St. Christopher's, it is worth emphasizing at the outset that our school and our community are not closed. Our campus may be, for the time being, but our mission of reaching and teaching boys--academically, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and artistically--remains alive and vibrant throughout this period of disturbance. Our method of mission delivery is shifting from face-to-face to virtual, and we see both challenges and opportunities with this shift. However, it does not alter in any way our commitment to the health, well-being, and growth of every student in our care.
St. Christopher's School will use two formats for student learning, synchronous and asynchronous.
Synchronous takes place when an entire class, or small groups of a class, meet together at the same time. We know how important relationships are in learning, and these sessions will be used primarily to connect with each other in a meaningful way and to give student support on their work.
Asynchronous learning occurs with teacher-to-student and student-to-student interactions, but not in real time. It relies on discussion boards (both written and video), email, notes, reading assignments, video clips, or problem sets to name a few. This format provides flexibility for the student and tasks them to organize their time well.
Establish a Regular Schedule for your son(s) based on the recommendations developed by each division.
Create a study space that is conducive to learning and provides ample supervision.
Be sure to read all school communications. This is an event that is evolving constantly, and it will be important to stay abreast of any changes that may occur. Please check the St. Christopher’s COVID-19 Coronavirus webpage regularly.
Encourage independence, but recognize that this format may be challenging for your son.
Assist your son in maintaining contact with friends virtually or through social interactions that comply with CDC-recommended social distancing measures.
Encourage physical activity to provide balance, stress relief, and time away from screens.