At SF Day, even as our campus is currently closed, we remain a strong and connected community that is bonded by our values and vibrant learning experiences. Below are sample resources we have curated to help guide our families through this new way of teaching and learning.
We are grateful to our entire community for their flexibility, support, and enduring spirit as we continue to navigate this situation together.
Connected Learning
At SF Day, we refer to distance or remote learning as "Connected Learning," because now more than ever, we are intentionally creating experiences to stay connected as our teachers deliver thoughtful and engaging instruction to all of our students. Throughout our planning to meet evolving circumstances, our priorities remain constant:
- Advance each child's learning and personal development.
- Do everything a school can do to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, and community members, both physically and emotionally.
- Leverage Universal Design for Learning to offer flexible means of engagement, representation, action, and expression that are responsive, equitable, and build upon each student's strengths and curiosities.
- Engage students in project-based, interdisciplinary learning designed around essential questions and instructional themes.
- Zoom at SF Day
- How You Can Support Your Children
- Student Responsibilities
- Technology FAQs
- Distance Learning Pro Tips
- Videoconference Etiquette & Expectations
Zoom at SF Day
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.
How You Can Support Your Children
Families, you can help support your children by adhering to the 10 Guidelines for SF Day’s Parents/Guardians as well as you can:
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Establish routines and expectations to support learning and wellness
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Define the physical space for your child’s study (a quiet work area without distractions)
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Monitor communications from your children’s teachers
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Begin and end each day with a check-in with your child
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Take an active role in helping your children process their learning
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Establish routine times for quiet and reflection
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Encourage physical activity and/or exercise every day
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Remain mindful of your child’s stress or worry and build in times for choice-time and play
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Monitor how much time your child is spending online -- encourage regular breaks
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Follow proctoring any assessments for your child with integrity and academic honesty
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Keep your children social, but set rules around social media interactions and monitor them
Student Responsibilities
Lower School (K-4)
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Follow the Community Norms & Pro Tips for Distance Learning: here - please read along with a grown up
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When you have a question, ask for help from an adult!
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Comply with SF Day’s Acceptable Use Policy, including expectations for online etiquette
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Complete assignments by doing your best work
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Check your Google classroom or Week Sheet with a grown up
Upper School (5-8)
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Establish daily routines for engaging in the learning experiences (e.g. 9:00 am start)
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Identify a comfortable, quiet space in your home where you can work effectively
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Follow the Community Norms for Distance Learning: here
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Regularly monitor online platforms (Google Classroom, Google Meet invites, email, etc.) to check for announcements and feedback from your teachers
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Complete assignments and assessments with integrity and academic honesty, doing your best work and trying your best to meet timelines, commitments, and due dates
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Communicate proactively with your teachers if you cannot meet deadlines or need help
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Collaborate and support your SF Day peers in their learning by following teacher guidelines
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Comply with SF Day’s Acceptable Use Policy, including expectations for online etiquette
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Proactively seek out and communicate with other adults at SF Day as different needs arise (see below)
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Create a weekly schedule for organizing your time. Here is a sample: Sample student schedule
Technology FAQs
How do I connect a school iPad to my home internet?
Connect iPad to a Wi-Fi network
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Go to Settings
> Wi-Fi, then turn on Wi-Fi.
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Tap one of the following:
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A network: Enter the password, if required.
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Other: Joins a hidden network. Enter the name of the hidden network, security type, and password.
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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.
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.
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).
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.
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:
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Go to Settings > Screen Time.
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Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your Screen Time passcode.
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Tap Content Restrictions, then tap Web Content.
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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.
Distance Learning Pro Tips
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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.
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Get some fresh air. Get outside when you can. Sit by the window and enjoy some fresh air.
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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.
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Spend time connecting with people (and animals). You will need time to socialize and connect with your friends and family outside of school.
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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!
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Practice. This is also a prime time to build your existing skills more intentionally: practice your instrument, world language, athletics, or craft.
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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.
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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!
Videoconference Etiquette & Expectations
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RSVP to the invite & Be Prompt - letting folks know whether or not you plan to attend and being prompt helps everyone start on time.
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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.
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Work in a quiet location and/or use headphones - Be mindful of shared space - not everyone needs/wants to hear your conversation.
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Mute microphone and camera BEFORE you join - this limits background noise and visual distractions for all participants.
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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.
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Be mindful of your chat messages: they are visible to ALL participants.
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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.
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If you need to leave a call early, say so in the chat feature and end the call.
Social Justice/Anti-Racism
"We are teaching our children to be active participants in a democracy and preparing them to recognize systemic injustice and know how they can advocate for equity for themselves and for others."
Excerpt from SF Day Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
Email: Community Reflections (June 29)
Universal Design for Learning
COVID-19
Stay Informed
US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
To receive SF Text Alert Updates from the SF Dept. of Emergency Mgmt.,
Text COVID19SF to 888-777.
Kid-Friendly Resources
The NY Times podcast, The Daily: This episode features questions from children.
Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus
Malaka Gharib/NPR
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I help my child and family stay healthy?
- How is SF Day monitoring COVID-19?
- How has SF Day enhanced cleaning protocols?
- How should I talk to my children about COVID-19?
How can I help my child and family stay healthy?
We encourage all of our community members to continue following CDC-recommended best practices for overall health, including:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice).
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Use a flexed elbow or tissue to cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing (then discard tissue and wash hands).
- Avoid sharing personal items such as water bottles or eating utensils.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Our facilities staff and overnight cleaning crew always meet the highest standards of cleaning and disinfecting, and we have asked them to be particularly vigilant during this time.
- Stay home when you are sick. The CDC recommends that individuals remain at home for at least 24 hours after a fever or signs of a fever (chills, feeling warm, flushed appearance) have abated.
How is SF Day monitoring COVID-19?
We are closely and astutely monitoring information from the California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health, in addition to receiving daily updates from the California Association of Independent Schools, as well as a number of other educational and governmental resources. We have also been consulting with a number of medical practitioners for additional knowledge and perspective.
How has SF Day enhanced cleaning protocols?
We have enhanced our standard procedures and taken additional precautions:
- Increased the frequency of disinfecting high touch surfaces (electronics, doorknobs, light switches, etc.) and high traffic areas (library, cafeteria, lobbies).
- Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizers are readily available for all classrooms and shared spaces.
- All students are explicitly reminded to wash their hands multiple times a day (e.g. before lunch, after using the restroom, after recess, etc).
- Cafeteria menu items have been revised to provide alternatives to items eaten primarily by hand (e.g. sandwiches, pizza, burritos) and the salad bar has been supplemented with pasta and proteins (meat, vegetarian, and vegan).
- Posted signage around campus to help remind us to practice healthy hygiene.
How should I talk to my children about COVID-19?
Staying informed is important, and as we continue to monitor developments regarding COVID-19, we encourage you to be mindful of how we are talking about this topic with your children. It is essential to take time to connect with your child during this time of uncertainty, listen to their concerns, and help guide the conversation to address any questions or worries. Here are some resources that we hope are helpful in supporting conversations with your children.
From EdSurge.com: How Parents Can Talk to Students About Coronavirus Anxiety
From NPR: Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus
From Brain Pop: Coronavirus
From The Week: How to have a panic-free conversation with your kids about coronavirus (dated 1/30)