In a recent instructional faculty survey, 91% of teachers were interested in exploring a more robust technology platform for delivering a synchronous experience. Many of the parent/guardian survey respondents also shared that a more robust and interactive platform was desired.

As such, we have purchased a licensed, school edition of Zoom. The security and well-being of our students remain our top priorities, and consequently, we have also taken additional steps to reinforce meeting security beyond Zoom’s current in-house features.

Please note that effective April 13, all students will log into the Zoom app with their individualized username and password associated with their sfday.org account. 

Click here to learn more about Zoom at SF Day.

What you can do to help:

• Preview the updated Community Norms with your child, paying close attention to item #2 and item #8 in our Community Norms.
• Practice logging into your child’s sfday.org account* via the Zoom app - here’s a simple slideshow and here’s a video tutorial that will walk you through it. 
• Be patient - as with using any new tool, there will be a learning curve (steeper for some than others). Assume that teachers and students will be trying their best to figure out how to use this new tool to its full potential, and practicing patience and kindness will help everyone feel more inclined to keep trying. 

Families, you can help support your children by adhering to the 10 Guidelines for SF Day’s Parents/Guardians as well as you can:

• Establish routines and expectations to support learning and wellness

• Define the physical space for your child’s study (a quiet work area without distractions)

• Monitor communications from your children’s teachers 

• Begin and end each day with a check-in with your child

• Take an active role in helping your children process their learning 

• Establish routine times for quiet and reflection 

• Encourage physical activity and/or exercise every day 

• Remain mindful of your child’s stress or worry and build in times for choice-time and play

• Monitor how much time your child is spending online -- encourage regular breaks

• Follow proctoring any assessments for your child with integrity and academic honesty

• Keep your children social, but set rules around social media interactions and monitor them

Lower School (K-4) 

• Follow the Community Norms & Pro Tips for Distance Learning: here - please read along with a grown up

• When you have a question, ask for help from an adult!

• Comply with SF Day’s Acceptable Use Policy, including expectations for online etiquette

• Complete assignments by doing your best work

• Check your Google classroom or Week Sheet with a grown up

Upper School (5-8)

• Establish daily routines for engaging in the learning experiences (e.g. 9:00 am start)

• Identify a comfortable, quiet space in your home where you can work effectively 

• Follow the Community Norms for Distance Learning: here 

• Regularly monitor online platforms (Google Classroom, Google Meet invites, email, etc.) to check for announcements and feedback from your teachers

• Complete assignments and assessments with integrity and academic honesty, doing your best work and trying your best to meet timelines, commitments, and due dates

• Communicate proactively with your teachers if you cannot meet deadlines or need help

• Collaborate and support your SF Day peers in their learning by following teacher guidelines

• Comply with SF Day’s Acceptable Use Policy, including expectations for online etiquette

• Proactively seek out and communicate with other adults at SF Day as different needs arise (see below)

• Create a weekly schedule for organizing your time.  Here is a sample: Sample student schedule

How do I connect a school iPad to my home internet?

Connect iPad to a Wi-Fi network

1. Go to Settings  > Wi-Fi, then turn on Wi-Fi.

2. Tap one of the following:

   • A network: Enter the password, if required.

   • Other: Joins a hidden network. Enter the name of the hidden network, security type, and password.

If  appears at the top of the screen, iPad is connected to a Wi-Fi network. (To verify this, open Safari to view a webpage.) iPad reconnects when you return to the same location.
 

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How can I access my child’s Google Classroom (Gr.4-8) account?

You can use your child’s login information.

• Child: Simon Dolphin
• Username: SimDol (first three letters of first name, first three letters of last name)
• Password: bottlenose0101 (dolphin name assigned to your child’s grade, plus birthday digits MMDD)

*Please contact techsupport@sfday.org if you have questions.

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Where will I find my child’s work for the week?

Every Sunday at 6PM, SF Day will email the Week Sheets via The Week Ahead. If you do not receive an email, please contact Michelle Phillips (mphillips@sfday.org). 
 

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If I am using a personal device, what are the essential apps my child needs? 

Lower School: Google Drive

Upper School: GSuite Apps (Drive, Gmail, Docs, Classroom)

*There may be other paid apps your teacher asks you to use. Please contact them for alternative options or feel free to purchase the app on your personal devices.

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How do I create a safe online learning environment for my child?

Prevent web content

iOS can automatically filter website content to limit access to adult content in Safari and apps on your device. You can also add specific websites to an approved or blocked list, or you can limit access to only approved websites. Follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.

2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your Screen Time passcode. 

3. Tap Content Restrictions, then tap Web Content.

4. Choose Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites Only. 

Depending on the access you allow, you might need to add information, like the website that you want to restrict.

• Stay active. Be sure to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Pushups, situps, burpees, jumping jacks, and Tik Tok dances are all encouraged.

• Get some fresh air. Get outside when you can. Sit by the window and enjoy some fresh air.

• Take regular breaks from your screen. Stand up to move every 60-90 minutes, and remember the 20-20-20 exercise: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Spend time connecting with people (and animals). You will need time to socialize and connect with your friends and family outside of school. 

• Get creative. This is a perfect opportunity to pursue your creative passions. Write, draw, dance, sing, rap, paint, bead, make your own ASMR videos— you are living through an unprecedented time. Capture it!

• Practice. This is also a prime time to build your existing skills more intentionally: practice your instrument, world language, athletics, or craft. 

• Pitch in. Cook a meal for your family. Do the laundry. Clean the bathroom. You will learn valuable life skills and help out during what may feel like a stressful time for your loved ones. It feels good to do good. 

• Take care and reflect. During a shift from your typical routine, you may feel excited or curious, anxious or disconnected. These are all normal and you can always reach out to a friend, teacher, or counselor for support. You are not alone and we will get through this together. 

Go Phins!

• RSVP to the invite & Be Prompt - letting folks know whether or not you plan to attend and being prompt helps everyone start on time. 

• Be camera-ready (even if you plan to turn your camera off— you never know!) - If you wouldn’t wear it to school, don’t wear it to a Hangout.

• Work in a quiet location and/or use headphones - Be mindful of shared space - not everyone needs/wants to hear your conversation.

• Mute microphone and camera BEFORE you join - this limits background noise and visual distractions for all participants.

• If you have a relevant question, use the chat feature, and the chat moderator will facilitate - Use the chat feature for on-topic questions - socializing and side conversations are important ways to connect, but they can distract from a virtual class/meeting.

• Be mindful of your chat messages: they are visible to ALL participants.

• Be respectful and put our DEI statement to practice - In a video conference, you may get an intimate glimpse of SF Day community members’ lives that you may not normally see: their families, homes, and communities beyond SF Day. Practice respect and kindness for everyone. 

• If you need to leave a call early, say so in the chat feature and end the call.