List of 21 frequently asked questions.

• Q. What tools and/or software will students be expected to use?

  Teachers will distribute all course materials through MyCSW class pages. Students should log into MyCSW and navigate to those pages to interact with the course content.

  
  

  Advisors will invite students to a ZOOM session, so they should download ZOOM at https://zoom.us/download

  
  

  These are the two main tools we will use to engage our community.

• Q. What does the daily schedule look like?

  NOTE: The GryphONLINE daily schedule was strategically designed to be inclusive of students working in all time zones.
  
  MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY*

  
  8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.      A Block
  9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.    B Block   
  11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   C Block
  These are allotted time for synchronous learning and individual check-ins. Each student creates their own schedule for asynchronous learning tasks with clear deadlines set by the teacher.
  
  12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.     Advisory
  For individual check-ins
  
  WEDNESDAY
  
  8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.   D Block

  D block options in the performing arts and fitness classes offered.
  
  10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.   Advisory
  All advisories are to meet as full groups. Attendance is required.
  
  

  11:00 a.m. – 11:40pm - Assembly
  
  

  11:45pm - 12:15pm  AIA Meetings

  
  1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.   Faculty Meeting
  
  *All times listed in Eastern Time

• Q. How can parents be supportive of students as they transition to online learning?

  1. Establish a daily routine with regular wake-up and bedtimes. Set clear expectations, build in times for breaks throughout the day, and make time for exercise and fresh air. Social time with friends and family — albeit virtually, and/or safely — is also important.
  
  2. Help your student find a good spot for work and study. Consider a good location for zoom meetings: look for space (if possible) away from other people working from home, or use headphones if needed and consider what may be in the background. 
  
  

  3. Remind your student that all CSW supports are available as needed if and when they need some extra support: talking directly with their teacher, their advisor, Marci and the Skills teachers, and CSW counselors. 
  
  

  3. Let your child know that you are there to help them if and when they ask for help. If you have some advice for them, ask them first if they want your advice. 

  
  Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis, Child Mind Institute

• Q. How long should students expect to be in class each day?

  • Attendance will be taken daily at the onset of each block, with all A-B-C-D classes meeting for live Zoom check-ins. Students who are in different time zones and are experiencing difficulty with the timing of courses are asked to reach out to their advisor and the Academic Office.

  • At least two of four class meetings each week will be fully synchronous for the duration of the block. The expectation is to have all students fully engaged in active synchronous and asynchronous learning for a full four hours each week. 

  • Students will be expected to work throughout each class block on a daily basis. This could be as an all-class zoom meeting, with students in breakout rooms, or with collaborative or individual work that must be completed in the timeframe of the class block. 

  • Teachers will be Zoom-available for the entirety of their teaching block(s) each day. 

  • Students will have weekly meaningful tasks (or assignments), recognizing that the same assignment may take a different amount of time per student. The ultimate goal is to have each student fully engaged and appropriately challenged by their coursework. 

• Q. What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning?

  With synchronous learning, class interactions happen in real time, at the same time. Students may virtually attend class together via video conference and/or chat. Synchronous learning allows for instant feedback & communication. We will use Zoom for these sessions. These sessions are essential for maintaining relationships.
  
  

  Examples of synchronous learning:

  • Class meetings (in real-time)
  • Screen share
  • Break-out rooms
  • Co-editing, live peer critique
  • Live chat

  
  Asynchronous class interactions happen via our Learning Management System (MyCSW) without real-time interaction. Students engage in class materials and complete work at their own pace, typically within a given timeframe, often using discussion boards to drive peer-to-peer engagement. This type of learning requires a bit more flexibility, and drafting and feedback are given online but at different times. Consider these types of interactions where deep learning happens.
  
  

  Examples of asynchronous learning: 

  • Discussion boards (MYCSW Discussion in Assignments, Mentimeter, Kialo EDU, Flipgrid)
  • Assignments
  • Projects
  • Lecture (via screencasts) or instructional video

• Q. How will students be graded and assessed?

  As we embark on virtual learning, we strive to keep our values of progressive education and student-centered learning at the center of our work. We recognize the students' needs and current individualized environments, and that these must coincide with the goals of our courses. To that end, we have decided to assess all work in a pass/fail structure. Teachers will define projects and class tasks with adapted rubrics corresponding to meeting course goals. The courses will continue to consist of structured and adaptable ways in which each student will engage with the material and the experience. 
  
  A Note from the College Office:
  
  As you know, CSW has made the decision to institute Pass/Fail grading for as long as GryphONLINE is in effect. This is something about which you shouldn’t worry. Many independent schools across the country have moved in this direction. Frankly, many colleges have, themselves, made this decision for their own students. Additionally, we conversed with a bevy of colleges on this matter, and others proactively contacted us. And all of them espoused support for this move. Additional questions or concerns about this change that are related to a student’s individual search should be directed to their assigned College Counselor.
  

• Q. How can I optimize my experience with Zoom?

  • Make sure your computer video and microphone capabilities are active
  • While headphones are not necessary, wired headphones with microphone will provide the best sound experience
  • Mute your microphone when you are not speaking to minimize noise interference
  • Be sure to use the bathroom, eat, drink, etc. before you get on a zoom call
  • Adhere to the guidelines your teacher has set regarding engagement and participation
  • Disengage from any messaging apps or platforms other than the Zoom messaging tool during online video sessions
  • Understand that classes may be recorded, that microphones may be “live” at all times, and that you should mute your mic when you are not speaking so that all voices can be heard and respected.
  • Be respectful of everyone in the virtual space, even when you aren’t in the space.
  • Do not participate in any “side messaging” during virtual meetings

• Q. I don't have access to the technology required to engage in GryphONLINE at home. What should I do? 

  If you or a family member has concerns about access to our educational programming, please contact Rosanna Salcedo, Dean of Equity & Inclusion, at rsalcedo@csw.org. 
  
  For specific tech questions, concerns, or troubleshooting please reach out to IT at support@csw.org or Jenna Wolf, Director of Library & Technology Integration, at jwolf@csw.org. 

• Q. What if I need to miss a class meeting?

  All students are expected to follow the class schedule created by your teacher. If for any reason you miss class, please reach out to the instructor to determine what was missed. Students who are ill and unable to virtually attend should focus on getting better. Families should convey any anticipated absences as they normally would by emailing attendance@csw.org.

• Q. I am in a different time zone that prevents me from attending classes at the standard time. What should I do?

  The GryphONLINE daily schedule was strategically designed to be inclusive of students working in all time zones. If you are concerned about your ability to attend a particular session time, please work with your teacher to determine a plan that works for you. Teachers are ready and willing to accommodate you and your schedule as best as they are able.

• Q. What if I am somewhere where I can't access Google products?

  All teaching faculty have been instructed to use MyCSW as their primary means of communciation with students. While students may submit work through google as agreed upon by the instructor, this is by no means a requirement. 

• Q. Is PACE still happening?

  While regular PACE class meetings have been suspended for the duration of Mod 5, it is our intention to offer other vehicles for addressing content that would have otherwise been covered through PACE. 
  
  Once academic courses are up and running, we hope to also offer side sessions, webinars, TedTalks and more to keep the conversation going! Please stay tuned for more information.

• Q. Should seniors still be working on their capstones?

  Yes! All seniors are still required to complete a capstone project prior to graduation. Capstones present an excellent opportunity for intellectual engagement and the pursuit of individual passions. While we understand circumstances may prevent some seniors from working on their projects in the way they had originally imagined, we encourage all seniors to continue their work to the best of their ability. 
  
  Seniors will have three choices for presenting their work:
  

  1. Live Formal Presentation with Q and A (+ Metacog)
  2. Informal Solo Recorded Presentation (+ Metacog)
  3. Metacog of the Overall Experience

  While a formal presentation is encouraged, this is not required.
  
  Formal Presentations will be done through Zoom with live audience. All recordings and presentations will be in a MyCSW tile for community viewing options. 
  

• Q. Will D Block courses be meeting?

  D block options in the performing arts and fitness classes offered.

• Q. What will college counseling look like going forward?

  Our approach to college counseling will be business (and relationship) as usual — as much as humanly possible. We will move to having one-on-one meetings with students via Zoom conferencing for as long as GryphONLINE is in effect. The same goes for parent meetings.

  
  Overall, we are all entering a time of maximal flexibility and agility — you, us, colleges. We are all in the same place. And we feel strongly that in that place, there will be much more understanding coming from all corners as we support students in this unusual time. That leaves us at our number one piece of advice: lean into your evolving and emerging relationship with your counselor. We may be sitting at our kitchen tables, but we are here for you just the same.
  
  In the coming days, the College Office will be sending out letters with important grade-specific information via email. Please stayed tuned!

• Q. I am confused about the schedule and/or where I'm supposed to be accessing materials. What should I do?

  Reach out for help (to your teacher, colleague, peer, advisor, department chair) regularly if you encounter any confusion with the schedule or where materials live. Don’t wait. Be proactive. People are happy to help you!
  
  Reach out to other supports as needed. Key contacts include:

  • Academic Dean Diana Baruni (dbaruni@csw.org)
  • Director of Library/Tech Integration Jenna Wolf (jwolf@csw.org)
  • Dean of Students Aaron Hirsch (ahirsch@csw.org)
  • Director of Academic Support Marci Cohen (mcohen@csw.org
  • Director of Community Health & Counseling Jen Quest-Stern (jqueststern@csw.org)
  • Dean of Faculty Rachel Hirsch (rhirsch@csw.org)
  • Dean of Equity and Inclusion Rosanna Salcedo (rsalcedo@csw.org)

• Q. Where can I go for counseling and/or emotional support?

  Student health and counseling support is available during the school day. If you’d like to talk with Toni, Jenn K, Jen or Bernice - please contact us directly. Simply send an email and you can expect a swift response to schedule a same-day check-in through Zoom, Google Hangouts Meet or a phone call.

   

  CSW Health Team

  Jen Quest-Stern

  Director of Community Health and Counseling

  jqueststern@csw.org

   

  Bernice Ruiz

  Health Education Coordinator/School Counselor

  bruiz@csw.org

   

  Toni Singleton

  School Nurse 

  tsingleton@csw.org

   

  Jenn Kusch

  Athletic Trainer/Assistant Director of Athletics

  jkusch@csw.org

  
  

  CSW Counseling

  CSW counselors provide social/emotional support to students with the primary goal of supporting student engagement in school. The meetings are private and information is shared with others only with permission of the student, unless there is a safety concern. When students are facing clinical issues such as depression and anxiety, CSW counselors will provide referrals as necessary and can communicate with outside providers with parental permission. In the case of emergency, when a student’s safety is the primary concern, a CSW counselor will contact the student’s parent or guardian and/or local emergency services to provide swift assessment and care.

  
  

  The CSW nurse and athletic trainer can provide health consultation on an as-needed basis. 

  
  

  Remote Counseling/Consultation

  While CSW is online, all counseling/consultation will be provided via phone, Google Hangouts Meet, or Zoom. A request for counseling/consultation should be submitted by email request. The clinicians will make every effort to respond to message requests within the school day, however, due to the timing of the email and prior engagements, it may take up to 24 hours for a response.  If the student is in a state of crisis or emergency, students or families should call 911 or call the nearest Emergency Department.  Students are encouraged to use the Crisis Text line: 741-741, or or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.

  
  

  CSW counselors’ use of standard phone communication, Google Hangouts Meet and password protected Zoom meetings will allow for direct and private communication. Each student is encouraged to create and use additional safeguards if the phone/computer used to access services may be accessed by others, such as creating passwords to use the computer, keeping their email and chat IDs and passwords secret, and maintaining security of their wireless internet access points by having a Wifi password. The counselor will address these considerations with each student early in the first remote counseling session so as to develop strategies to support privacy and limit risk.

   

• Q. Where can I go for academic support?

  For general academic support (organization, test prep, assignment management) or support for humanities classes, the daytime Skills Center teachers (Marci Cohen mcohen@csw.org and Erica Martin emartin@csw.org) will be available every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and again from 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., or as needed by individual appointment. Liz Hayes (ehayes@csw.org) will be available in the evening for the same type of support.

• Q. Will AIA groups be able to meet?

  While no regular meeting times have been set for affinity, interest, and alliance groups, we are currently exploring options for future engagement.
  
  Wednesday, after advisory, is a great time for interested groups to try and gather.

• Q. How can I make this process easier for my teachers?

  How kind of you to ask! Please understand that this may be the first time your teacher is leading a virtual classroom environment. During these unprecedented times, we must all be patient, flexible, and extra clear in communicating our thoughts, questions, and ideas. A kind note or expression of gratitude can also go a long way! 
  
  And remember: we are all navigating this highly unfamiliar situation together and it's okay to make mistakes!

• Q. Where can I find more information on CSW's response to COVID-19?

  For updates and alerts related to the school's COVID-19 response, please visit our coronavirus landing page.