A letter from BRHS Principal Tricia Campbell

Greetings BRHS Parent/Guardian(s):

Spring in the Boothbay Region always triggers hopes and inspires dreams for a fun and memorable summer ahead. I love seeing the supply trucks down in the Harbor, workmen and shop owners working on buildings setting up and families walking across the footbridge together. It is always an exciting time in our region!

It brings me joy to see that even though we are sheltering in place, folks are preparing for the possibilities ahead of us. We cannot successfully move forward if we don’t take the time to reflect on what has worked and has not worked in the past. Distance Learning became a necessity quickly and our talented and dedicated BRHS teachers made it happen in record time. As educators, reflection is always part of best practices.

As we step away and exhale over spring break, we have reflected and discussed how we can continue to improve student success through Distance Learning. We have heard consistent feedback from students regarding their struggle with time management and keeping routine. Student start time for high school has been a conversation for a long time. When school is in session in the buildings there are factors that make things less flexible, however we see opportunity in the Distance Learning format to impact student start time. Students and teachers will move back and adjust any scheduled real-time/synchronous classes starting Monday 4/27/20. Please see the updated plan below. All students will receive this notification and teachers will work to support the updated routine.

Distance Learning Plan: • Postings, replies, and work submitted will be asynchronous: Students may engage in learning on their own schedule, and will not be expected to complete assigned lessons during the school day hours. Teachers may provide real-time/synchronous opportunities as options for students. (If unavailable at scheduled time, all real-time opportunities are recorded and accessible for all students, any time) • Teachers will be available to provide support, answer emails and provide feedback during school hours. • As appropriate, teachers will provide students with an estimated amount of time for task completion and we encourage students or families to reach out via email with questions, or to let teachers know if the task is taking significantly longer than estimated or causing frustration.

Starting Monday 4/27/20 (Gold Day) Teacher Prep 8-9 Daily Period 1: 9-9:55 Period 2: 10-10:55 Period 3: 11:11:55 Period 4: 1-1:55

Office Hours: 2-2:55 *Wednesdays will be BRHS staff PD time (2-3); Staff are not available on Wednesdays during this time.

Quarter 3 has ended and student’s grades are posted on Power School. If your student has an Incomplete they should be working with their teachers to complete the necessary requirements. If you have any questions on the work needed, please reach out to the classroom teacher directly. They are available and want to help all students to be successful in any way that they can. 

I have been incredibly impressed with how families, staff and students have collaborated and connected throughout this challenging time. We are a school community where learning is a conversation. We want to continue to connect and engage. Time is always a challenge in education. We must give ourselves time. We must give our children time. The mental health and whole child wellness is far more important than any academic lesson we can present. 

BRHS teachers are teaching and available to students Monday-Friday 8 am-3 pm. If you have any questions, not sure who your child’s Advisor is, please contact BRHS Guidance Counselor Leanne Burnham (lburnham@aos98schools.org). There is a “Special Meeting” for the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD School Board scheduled on April 30th at 2:30 (on Zoom) to make determinations regarding the end of the 2019-2020 school year. I will post any Board decisions after the meeting to help keep everyone updated. 

Our Guidance Department is working to brainstorm and develop different ways to celebrate the Class of 2020. Stay tuned for more information, as it develops. Superintendent Laser continues to be in close communication with the Administrative Team. I will continue to update you as information comes in and decisions are made. 

We are all in this together and together we are stronger. 

My heart is with you, Tricia

Tricia Campbell BRHS Interim Principal