Nord Anglia Education
WRITTEN BY
NAIS Rotterdam
17 March, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions - COVID-19

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Frequently Asked Questions - COVID-19 This is a unique situation that we are currently in and many of our community members have questions. Here we answer the most frequently asked questions.

This is a unique situation that we are currently in and many of our community members have questions. Here we answer the most frequently asked questions.

"What can I do to protect myself and those around me?"

  • Continue to wash your hands often - for 20 seconds each time

  • Do not shake hands

  • Keep your distance - a meter and a half away

  • Cancel/avoid larger gatherings

  • Work from home as much as possible

  • Refrain from travelling out of the Netherlands if possible

"Who should I contact at the school in certain situations?"

  • If your child is sick, please email:  attendance@naisr.nl

  • For questions specific to your child's learning at home, please contact your child(ren)'s teacher(s) directly via email.

  • If you or your child(ren) need tech support, please email:  technology.support@naisr.nl

  • If you need advice from our school’s social worker regarding social-emotional welfare, please email Genelfa Cruden at gcruden@cvd.nl

  • If your child has any items at school you would like to pick up (e.g., shoes, jackets, items left in lockers etc.), please contact reception at frontoffice@naisr.nl.

  • For any other questions or concerns: communications@naisr.nl

“When will the school reopen?”

We are scheduled to reopen the school on Monday, 6 April 2020, as advised by local authorities. In the case that we are advised to extend this period of school closure, we may continue online learning until Spring break begins (and remain closed until after the Spring break). Our Spring break is scheduled to run from 10-19 April 2020.  Any updates or changes will be communicated immediately via email with our community.

“Have after school activities also been cancelled?”

Yes, all after school activities (sports, clubs, music, tutoring etc.) held at NAISR have been cancelled until April 6, 2020.

"Which learning platforms will be used?"

  • Google Hangouts - Video Conferencing

  • Seesaw (ES only) - Virtual Learning Environment

  • Google Classroom (MS & HS only) - Virtual Learning Environment 

  • Gmail and Google Drive will continue to be utilised

"What can we expect from NAISR teachers during this time of distance learning?"

Teachers will: 

  • Post all learning materials for each class that meets on a scheduled day by 8:00.

  • Use reliable, school approved software to develop rich and engaging lessons to plan activities that are easily understood and implemented by students. 

  • Give frequent formative feedback to students on their learning progress. Craft lessons that provide opportunities for students to easily demonstrate their understanding. 

  • Create learning plans that have students working both online and offline. 

  • Create learning plans that have students working with a variety of classmates, when appropriate. 

  • Provide space for personalized learning opportunities, ensuring each unique student receives the type of instruction necessary to be successful. 

  • Ensure ample time to complete tasks, recognizing the diverse learning environments that our students will be in. 

  • Employ a “Less is More” philosophy, recognizing that planning, teaching, learning, assessing, and providing feedback could all take considerably more time than usual.

  • Think differently! Recognize that distance learning is an opportunity to embrace new possibilities for each student and try new things. 

  • Continue to follow NAISR assessment and grading practices, including advanced notice for assessments and timely feedback. 

  • Collaborate with subject-area colleagues to ensure a consistent and high-quality experience for each student. 

"As a parent, what can I do to help my child(ren) with distance learning?"

  • With your child, organize a dedicated learning space.

  • Work with your child to help them follow their daily school schedule.

  • Ask questions and talk about learning and upcoming tasks and deadlines. 

  • Help your child manage their workload and develop healthy daily routines in a suitable learning location. 

  • Encourage your child to take breaks and engage in frequent physical exercise. 

  • Be mindful of your child’s wellbeing by talking about their challenges or concerns. If you need support, please inform your child’s teacher. 

  • Create opportunities for your child to interact face-to-face online with peers and maintain connections with their school community. Keep your children social but set limits to their social-media use.

  • Ensure your child is dressed appropriately and they are in a suitable location when using video tools. 

  • If you have multiple children engaged in distance learning simultaneously, help each child find distraction-free learning locations. 

  • Monitor communication from your children’s teachers. Ensure that any learning material or recordings are not posted on social media.

  • Establish tech-free times for quiet and reflection. Monitor the amount of time your child is spending online and looking at screens.

  • Ensure you have read the NAISR Guidelines for Distance Learning

"Will there be any staff members present at NAISR?"

Every day for the coming weeks at least two education staff, one front desk staff member and our director will be present at school from 9:00-15:00. The remainder of the staff will work from home.  

If you receive a message stating that certain materials are ready for pick up, the school's cafeteria is set up so that you can come to retrieve these materials at your convenience. Each grade level will be assigned a table, with individual name tags for each child. You will not be required to check in at reception and can go directly to the cafeteria.

If your child has any items at school you would like to pick up (e.g., shoes, jackets, items left in lockers etc.), please contact reception and we will coordinate this for you.