For undergraduates, there will be six spring break days: On these spring break days, classes will not meet and no due dates for assignments or exams will be scheduled. Going forward, we will continue to update the community on a weekly basis, to add clarity as frequently as we may. All in all, just make life spicy. 3. Volunteer boards must hold their meetings remotely, including their executive and committee meetings. A Weekend for Commencement Celebration: October 9-11, 2020 Please hold the long weekend of October 9-11, 2020 as this years Commencement Weekend in Williamsburg. I felt like I was actually with you and the other teachers.". In other words, asymptomatic students will await test results wherever they live. Thanks to each of you for your creativity, understanding and commitment to this shared effort. In these trying times, this school staff has gone the extra mile to make sure their students know they are missed. Dear William & Mary Community, At our first weekly Community Conversation, I invited our far-flung William & Maryfamily to learn how the Alma Mater of the Nation is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Building Access. At last weeks Reconvened Session, the General Assembly approved the Governors recommendation to give state governing boards the authority to conduct business electronically beyond pandemic- related issues. We need to turn these rules of behavior into habits of behavior. Every member of the William & Mary community should take pride in the way that students, faculty, and staff embraced the responsibility to protect one anothers health and support one anothers learning and work under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Here are two web resources that provide additional information: Connecting remotely to campus IT resources. Children around the world thank teachers for helping them keep learning before, during and after COVID-19 school closures. We will work with students (and their faculty as appropriate) to be sure they are in a position to be successful this semester. "I was so happy when I saw it. That order responds to national public health projections that COVID-19 cases in VA may peak in late May. Without your compliance, our fall semester on campus will be over before it starts. Yet I look forward to the coming months with optimism. That I will do my best to continue to support them and their families as we wade through uncharted territory. These SEL Lessons Inspired by Dogs Are What Kids Need Right Now. Deans and faculty will ensure personal engagement for all students, including those who live on and off campus, through the start of in-person classes. UNICEF/UNI327202/. W&M leadership will continually evaluate our path forward in light of those changes. William & Marys responsibility to steward our resources prudently is understandably at front of mind for all in this community. As we continue making decisions with the best information available, adjustments like the ones announced today will be part of the semester. "With every book, you go back to school. The students were tearful that even though we couldnt all hug each other in real life the connection among the students and with their faculty member was as in many ways as strong as it would have been in person, she said. Back-to-School Quotes for Teachers 21. Since early August we have seen that the vast majority of students, faculty and staff are fully committed to doing what is required to safeguard one another. Be calm, honest, and caring, and demonstrate a positive attitude to children. Students are strongly encouraged to return home or stay home. You bring me more joy and happiness than any of you can imagine, and I hope we are together again soon. Justin M. The whole purpose of this quarantine time is to keep as many of us safe and healthy as possible. I am deeply grateful to them for their tireless and resourceful partnership. Do not be selfish your actions impact the entire community. Honorlock is active only during a proctored exam and does not access your camera or microphone outside of a proctored session. The ways you grow and learn are unbelievable. All university-sponsored travel domestic and international is suspended regardless of fund source. We will continue to assess possible timelines in consultation with local public health officials, closely tracking the Commonwealths and our nations response. "The Lord gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers". On April 28, a video was shared on YouTube featuring the principal, teachers and staff members of the Van Holten Primary School. "These are 10 and. The story of 12 students who integrated ATX schools, How to get to Q2 Stadium for 2023 Austin FC season, PHOTOS: Some of Austins most modern homes, Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "For me it was a massive morale booster to meet lots of dogs and cats." Teachers say there has been a collective spirit among staff Glad to be back If there's something children have learnt from. Well be providing each of you with a date for your test, and then youll schedule the time of day. Much like running a race, at the end of every year, she hands out a medal to each of her students as a congratulatory gift after they take their AP exams. Please note that intentional submissionsof false reports are subject to disciplinary action. As the semester winds down, I write to share my gratitude for your steadfast and creative efforts over the past nine months of pandemic. Safety measures being taken in the area of Campus Dining were detailed in Sam Jones. Celebrating the work of W&M faculty, staff and students. Remember, if you do test positive for COVID-19, through William & Marys testing regimen or an outside provider, you must respondimmediatelyto any outreach from the university and visitReportCOVID.wm.eduto be assigned a case manager to assist in transitioning work and study while isolating. Active cases within the student population will be monitored through the Student Health Center under guidance from the Center's medical director. This baseline training, designed for students, faculty, staff, contractors and vendors, introduces skills to promote the health of yourself and others. For more transparency, weve created a graphic that sketches these three strands of work and their relationship to each other. Students who need to use the elevator to access the concourse level of Kaplan Arena may arrange. Social distancing protocols will be in place and we will require compliance with these actions. Wellness Resources for You. All students are required to be tested before the fall semester. NOTE: W&Ms on-campus residency requirements notwithstanding, any freshman or sophomore student electing a fully-remote curriculum may be released from their campus housing contract with no penalty in order to reside at their permanent home address for the fall semester. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. It is equally disruptive for faculty and staff. Over the past week, we have been heartened by so many stories of students, faculty, staff, neighbors and alumni reaching out to support each other. Faculty members may not opt for face shields in lieu of masks. All other students should delay their return. Help them understand the technology they might need for school. Next week we will also share our expectations about work conditions after June 10, based on the Governors evolving guidance. Ginger Ambler____________________________Virginia M. Ambler 88, Ph.D. 06Vice President for Student AffairsWilliam & Mary. Thank you all for working so hard to protect your own health and that of the community this semester. (Again, pending EMT hurricane guidance.). Wednesday 26 April 2023. Additionally, if you have questions directly related to the impact of COVID-19 in the Williamsburg/Peninsula area, state and local health authorities have set up two Call Centers: Pass/Fail Expansion. W&M menuResources for. COVID-19 testing is required for ALL students returning to campus for the spring semester. For William & Mary, flattening the curve of financial impact for our community will mean balancing awareness of the economic vulnerability of students and familieswith preserving our dedicated workforce for the long term. Volunteers at William & Mary must provide this critical support remotely. Here are three examples: "When I introduce an assignment, I allow students to choose a breakout room. Residential students will need to take good care of themselves and one another. William & Mary students brought the resourcefulness our university is known for, in navigating the pace of a compressed semester. They require dedication and sacrifice from our students, faculty and staff. We are planning a phased move-in for undergraduate students living in on-campus housing. Please note new hours for the Post Office in Sadler and the Student Health Center: Dining Services. Katie is a first-grade teacher. Besides saying they miss their students, nearly every teacher used the word love in their response. Bake cookies and decorate them. Students scheduled to move in on January 30 will receive a $100 rebate and those arriving February 6-7 will receive $200. Please consult the following procedures. Glue/tape recycled things together to make a sculpture. She has 15 years of classroom teaching experience and a master's degree in literacy education. She . During the Summarize phase, teachers and students share, discuss, and refine strategies and conjectures as a whole-class discussion. From exercise, personal training, and yoga videos to mindfulness and creative art, we will be offering a wide range of resources to help you manage the stress and emotions that are a part of this new challenge. A return to campus, like all aspects of life, carries with it potential risk. Do not test the resolve of this university to take swift action to prioritize the health and well-being of our campus and the Williamsburg community. If you, yourself, are a dorm resident who is having difficulty with your plan for moving out by Wednesday and you have not notified the Dean of Students Office, please do so right away by clicking here. Accountability for W&Ms Healthy Together Community Commitment and behavioral guidelines, and consequences for not complying. Below I share the additional details and guidance promised earlier today in the message you received from President Rowe and me related to directives from the Governors Office. The entire faculty Provost, deans, department chairs and faculty members quickly moved more than 2,000 classes to distance learning, ensuring that teaching remains vibrant despite a mid-semester interruption and that our students remain the focus. Both the Provosts Office and Student Affairs want and need your real-time input concerning questions related to planning for the fall semester and beyond. High School Musical Tickets On Sale Now. Be well,Amy SebringVice President for Finance and Technology. The Exit: Teachers Leave. Students Suffer. Ginger AmblerChair, Commencement CommitteeVice President for Student Affairs. School districts and schools should also support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of all staff. It is clear that we must defer the planned ceremony on May 16. Middle and high school teachers juggling instructional platforms in which half the students learn online and the other half learn in person, simultaneously. During this time, teachers have gone to . The video concluded with a final comforting message: "When it rains, look for rainbows. Students within a 30-mile radius of campus will also need to test negative. Take care of yourself and each other (from a safe distance of course). As this world faces our greatest shared challenge in living memory, its humbling that so many of you are asking how to help William & Mary. COVID-19 poses an unprecedented threat to public health; so too this pandemic threatens the financial health of millions of households and institutions around the globe. William & Mary will cover the cost of a voluntary test for students and employees who wish to be tested prior to returning home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Over the next week we will move to online and remote modes of instruction. As. Not only are there variations in. Prevalence testing (initial sample of 2% of the employee/contractor population) will occur at least every two weeks. The COVID-19 Response Team is pleased that health metrics in Hampton Roads have improved over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, as we look ahead to the fall semester, gathering graduates and families in these ways is neither safe nor feasible in light of the ongoing pandemic. Copyright 2021. Slots are first come, first served. Our understanding of this pandemic is rapidly evolving. With a better understanding of the viruss progress nationally, we will identify a time when we can convene such a sizable group without great risk to health. Sam JonesDirector, COVID-19 Response Team, At William & Mary we care about what our students think. We will have a clearer picture of this impact when the state closes the books for this fiscal year and revises its revenue forecast later this summer. Now, you can provide your immediate feedback to critical questions through the new text app we will be piloting called W&M&You. Additional information about testing plans and protocols will be shared later this month. Students should call ahead to schedule an appointment. Stay tuned for more information on the return-to-campus testing requirements. The clear throughline in everything that has been shared with me over the past week is care for others. If maintained, this will allow meetings of more than 50 people to occur, so large lecture classes can meet in person (either the entire group at once or half or a third at a time). All our constituencies agree: the health of W&Ms people must be prioritized as we prepare to welcome students and employees back to campus. Students who studied remotely in fall and wish to live in residence halls in spring may complete a housing application in the. In addition to maintaining students' attention through devices and teaching the planned curriculum, they also have to adopt new technology and tools, accommodate students' different home environments and varying access to resources, and create a safe . Build a snow sculpture. Faculty are in the process of assigning course delivery information to our fall classes in Banner. Not having been able to say goodbye weighs on many. Five coordinated teams will focus on short-term solutions for mission-critical areas of the university: curricular flexibility, operational resilience, how we might de-densify campus spaces, how we might expand career pathways for graduating seniors and recent alumni. To that end, the university has developed a series of training videos to teach the community about COVID-19 and how to protect ourselves and others in a campus environment. Plus, how the pandemic shows us that schools are more important than ever. I just really miss them. Cory L. I hope you are all safe and healthy. Save the number 757-221-IDEA (4332) to your contacts. Our researchers have pooled their PPEs and shared them with local hospitals resources we hope will extend the safety of our courageous local healthcare providers on the front line. I did the best I could to get my work done. Note: Students are limited to registering for 16 credits until add/drop begins. I wish you a safe and productive semester. May 2020 planning for fall 2020 and beyond. But my kids are trying and were doing the best that we can to get the needs met of the kids.. On National Teacher Day, here are 15 inspiring quotes for teachers during the pandemic, courtesy of Parade and Teach Thought. Administrators were the ones most often caught in the crossfire: 42% said they experienced this behavior from parents, while 37% said they got it from students. Any remaining credit will be disbursed to you. In an emergency situation, WMPD will help with a lockout, but we need this to be a last resort. Start and end dates will remain as published on the University Registrars website. Participating in prevalence testing is a condition to which we have agreed in order to work, study or receive on-campus services at William & Mary under the Healthy Together Community Commitment. Again, for those students who are unable to implement their personal evacuation plans know that we are committed to working with you to find a solution. 101 JFK Parkway | Short Hills, NJ | 07078 | (973) 921-5500. All courses will be delivered in a format that provides meaningful interaction between faculty and students and that reflects William & Marys high quality of teaching and learning. A university-wide policy on travel reimbursements is posted online. As a special send-off gesture, she wrote individual notes for all 73 of her students to take away when they pick up their things. These 4 Inspirational Letters From Teachers to Students Will Ease Exam Pains By Jovita Aranha March 9, 2018 These beautiful letters by teachers have been immensely helpful for not just students but also their anxious parents. Peggy Agouris, ProvostGinger Ambler, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dear William & Mary Community,Even as we move through the exam period for the spring semester, William & Mary is actively planning for the year ahead. While Virginia remains in Phase III, the fall is uncertain, and we recognize that families may not feel safe traveling here from elsewhere. The resilience and compassion of our student body inspire us each day. We want to try to do something," he recalled. We dont get to see them again and I dont know when Ill get to see them and thats just hard, she said. William & Marys Public Health Advisory Team and the COVID-19 Response Team continue to closely follow local, regional, state and national developments during the pandemic. This note has only one piece of business, an invitation, and then reflections on insights that have been shared with me this week from many different sources. You are navigating this challenging spring with grace and compassion. Face coverings must be used when interaction with others precludes physical distancing, such as conferring with colleagues, advising students, etc. Our community has generously given to the university through our, Academic Advising has helpful tips on their website. Your case manager will help make the arrangements. The same subscription form can also be used to opt-out if you no longer wish to participate. Something I find quite moving: in recent days, so many students and families have asked how you can help peers in need. So over the coming weeks, W&M will be repeatedly stressing the new rules via regular guidance, online training, signage and more. Our students and faculty have taken their pursuit of learning and scholarship online:2,000-pluscourses in two weeks. Conversations are easier, resources are more readily accessible, and communication between students and teachers and parents is offered through more options than ever before. Staff members in that office are experienced in supporting students who have accessibility needs, including students who are immunocompromised. As an alumnus and employee, I have had the privilege of being associated with Springfield College for 36 years. Commons is set up as a to-go option only and no self-service. Our obsession with marks teaches students that external achievement is the only path to success. COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruption to education, with a peak of more than 1.5 billion children in 190 countries out of school. Your goodwill, care and spirit of partnership are this universitys strength. Please read through all information, which includes: We recognize that this fall semester will feel very different for us all. I hope your semester is going well and that you and your family are healthy and safe. On nearly a daily basis, new reports emerge from institutions around the country of behavior that endangers the health of entire communities. Residence halls will not reopen this semester. Classes will resume online starting Monday, March 23. See www.wm.edu/conversation for more details and upcoming dates. We have heard the concerns expressed by many students and faculty about this falls compressed semester. If you are away from campus and have belongings in your room for which you have a critical need (medications, laptops) you must make plans to collect them by Wednesday, March 25, 5:00 p.m., as follows: If you need for someone else to retrieve your critical items for you: Email living@wm.edu from your official W&M email account and provide the following information: We will plan a full move out period from April 18-May 18, 2020. As you know, whether courses are delivered on campus or online, there are a range of ways to assess student learning. Returning students: We ask that you join into our shared norms with curiosity and respect: be mindful of the effort it takes to integrate COVID-19 rules of conduct into daily, healthy social habits. Work through the stress by creating. Amber D. One of the best, safe activities for kids to do is get outside and play or exercise. Dear William & Mary Students, Faculty & Staff. And finally, how W&M might take the lead in issuing broad calls to service at this critical time, in order to strengthen our communities near and far. Extending the time between phases of return allows us to welcome new students in our community safely, helping them form connections. ; Do not travel Teacher, Natalie Wieland, holds up the medals she plans to gift her students when they finish their AP exams. W&M will provide each student a free COVID-19 saliva test, mailed in advance of returning. CHRO Dr. Christopher Lee is developing a parallel framework for employees based on our current HR protocols. Teacher workspaces displayed to the class can incorporate student work along with new notes and work that can . Faculty and instructional support staff are required to wear a face covering in indoor or outdoor classrooms, labs and other instructional spaces. Programs or events sponsored by the university or student groups will continue to be limited to 50 people, with required masks and physical distancing. The university has made systematic adjustments to reduce risk of transmission: instituting a phased return of undergraduate students; requiring a negative test before returning students can be on campus; implementing a comprehensive plan to reconfigure and de-densify campus; making maximum use of our beautiful campus outdoors and more. Teachers hope students create art in any way that matters to them. Otherwise, we will assume that you do not wish to donate at this time, and you will receive the rebate credit. how the pandemic shows us that schools are more important than ever. Our mission calls us to convene together, and we have all explicitly committed to supporting that mission in this time. Dear W&M Community, So much feels different about this spring semester. Today, Virginia Gov. Honorlock is FERPA compliant and uses securely encrypted protocols to save and view all test \-taker assets. Please dont hesitate to send more questions to covidresponse@wm.edu. International students will be notified by email about specific testing requirements. We are making decisions in a phased, evidence-based way and understand that flexibility is essential to remaining responsive to changing public health contexts. My family is here, they're safe and sound, and I'm doing OK. I'm just doing the best I can. Students can easily remove the Honorlock browser extension from Chrome after completing an exam. As we welcome new students into the William & Mary community and formally start classes, the excitement of a new academic year is palpable. Gabriel H. Sanchez Senior Photo Essay Editor Kate Bubacz ", Teachers' Acts of Kindness During Coronavirus. William & Mary has held onto our pride in those qualities even as we have moved expeditiously to advance the three-part mission we cherish: teaching, learningand research. . The adorable footage featured not only the teachers and staff members, but also their own children and furry friends as they practice social distancing. "Our students and community have responded to the video in a very positive fashion," he noted before reading appreciative responses from students and their families. A cloth face covering will be used immediately before and after instruction and when interacting with others and unable to maintain 6 physical distancing. We are establishing a testing program that goes above and beyond state health and CDC guidelines and is designed to be responsive to the most at-risk populations within our community. Harmony Science Academy teacher Dehna Richards stood heartbroken in her empty classroom and tearfully looked around. Be sure to visit our Virtual Health & Wellness site where you will find an article by Dr. Kelly Crace on Flourishing during Unexpected, Uncertain, and Unwanted Change. AND. Faculty have been advised to prepare classes in a way that makes it possible to switch to full remote learning on short notice, in the event Virginia public health requires this. We continue to place first priority on the health of our community. Just spend responsibly, kids. Next week I will launch a swift, cross-university planning process to build scenarios for in-person learning on campus in Fall 2020 and beyond. Visit. Classroom ideas, free printables, and great teacher ideas right here. I wish you a safe and happy holiday season. Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. Affirmation of the Healthy Together Community Commitment is required for anyone who will be living, learning, and working on campus this fall. Please opt-in by filling out the subscription form. The emotions many of us feel this week have been intensely mixed, with good reason. During the social distancing of COVID-19, we have been looking for ways to stay in close contact with you. The exact type of face covering may vary depending on the instructional environment (e.g., a university-provided face shield may be required in a lab). As we move into these last days of the semester, I am deeply grateful to and for you for your resilience, your creativity and your fortitude. William & Mary is assisting members of our community during this difficult time, working with individuals on a case-by-case basis through the Dean of Students Office. Students currently on campus and in residence need to move out by Wednesday, March 25, 2020. These categories will be added in Banner as class attributes by July 15. no outside visitors, limitations on gatherings, social distancing and mask-wearing both inside and outdoors. Student tuition and fees make up our biggest source of revenue. We surely are living in unprecedented times, and Id like to take a moment to acknowledge the uncertainty that many of us are facing due to the rapid pace of change occurring not only at W&M, but also in our local communities, nationally, and globally. The theme of my message is simple: You're amazing! Our goal is to host a grand celebration in May 2021 for the Class of 2020, with all the joy and the cherished traditions that make W&M Commencements special. Event sponsors should explore solutions that include canceling, rescheduling or moving to alternative platforms. Article continues below advertisement. We will be learning how to work or teach remotely, fulfilling university responsibilities through new modes, while attending to the care and education of others our children, parents, neighbors and friends. Multilingual at Heart. We understand that a positive test result is by its nature distressing. Resources to support in-person instruction include: Extreme flexibility will be crucial throughout the fall. University requirements for face coverings apply to all faculty, staff, students, contract workers, vendors and others who are on William & Marys various campuses or enter university owned or leased buildings. She said, What I know is: a resiliency develops from this. forced to try different methods to see what worked best for them and for their students. Traveling to Williamsburg does not require a student to reset the quarantine clock upon arrival, as long as they quarantined for the appropriate time and practiced transmission prevention during travel. First and foremost, our thoughts and care are for those whose wellbeing has been and will be impacted, in our surrounding region and around the world. The reasons educators gave for these stress-related feelings could be divided into two buckets. Fully-embraced, these habits of care and respect will have a direct impact on the trajectory of W&Ms fall semester. Earlier today, Dean of Students Marjorie Thomas shared with all students W&Ms Fall, An introduction to the Healthy Together commitment, COVID-19 and its prevention, A tutorial on mask use and requirements at William & Mary, A review of proper preventative hygiene, including hand washing, the use of sanitizer and the difference between cleaning and disinfecting spaces, Tips on how to handle situations in which peoples behavior diverges from our shared commitment to health, A conclusion that reinforces the main points and offers additional resources. I just really miss them. Cory L. WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook. Professor Jal Mehta isn't surprised that some students and teachers are finding positives during remote learning. As we navigate cost-saving measures, our mission remains our north star. Teaching and learning at a distance for the remainder of the semester will pose challenges, some we can anticipate and others we will encounter as we go.