Redwood Day is an independent, diverse K-8 school   |   510.534.0800

RDConnects@Home Executive Summary Feedback

Executive Summary of Feedback Received After Spring 2020 Distance Learning Program

Thank you for the feedback you shared with us about our spring 2020 distance learning program. We read all of the feedback and prepared this executive summary to report out to the community about the strengths and areas of growth for the program. In developing RDConnects@Home, we incorporated much of this feedback into our planning. 
 
Strengths
  • Teachers cared deeply for students and their experience; they spent extra time checking in; provided office hours
  • The program helped with establishing routines and expectations and allowed for the building of independence over time
  • Students developed a lot of skills (self-direction, organization, time management)
  • The program included clear daily schedules and was easily accessible, with Zoom links sent out ahead of time
  • The structure of classes and Zoom check-ins worked well; the addition of small group learning as time went on helped as did opportunities for individual/small group assistance & Q&A
  • Teachers provided clear instructions with constructive feedback to students
  • Parents/guardians appreciated weekly emails from teachers with updates & quick teacher responses during the day
  • Picking up supplies went well
  • Teachers who employed Google Classroom as an LMS found it successful  
  • There were a variety of teaching methods, projects, and sharing opportunities that kept kids engaged
  • The daily Advisory check-in went well in the Middle School
  • The Lower School evening camp-out was a great success!
  • Storytimes, writing workshop lessons, sound of the week worked well in LS classes
  • X-care was a welcome addition to the program
 
Areas of Growth
  • Setting up consistent rules & standards per teacher/class that are clearly explained to the students; accountability for students who sign off early, do not do work or break rules
  • More consistency and accountability across the grades and classes
  • Provide more teacher training for LMS’ and online teaching tools
  • Parents/guardians and students would have appreciated more Specialist classes-  more in person, more appropriate assignments & not “busy work”
  • More one-on-one and small group instruction with teachers, other than office hours
  • More feedback from teachers on student work & more availability during the school day
  • More updates, including more communication with parents/guardians regarding what’s going on in class (LS & MS)
  • More interdisciplinary and group projects; more small group breakouts for students
  • Consolidate online learning platforms and ensure they are user friendly
  • For some students, it was hard to stay engaged during lessons due to the online nature of the classes
  • More consistent approach to implementing learning plans online for students with learning differences
  • Reduce the number of students in large Zoom classes
  • Improve opportunities for community building online; want social & emotional support and opportunities, including more human connection
  • Younger students need help and scaffolding to understand how to learn & work online
  • Improve attendance reporting
  • Older students multitasking, playing computer games, texting with each other
  • Be able to see a snapshot of how kids are doing – assignments & ongoing grades
  • Communication about missing assignments
  • Training for students & parents; more student support
  • Sometimes instructions were too wordy and not clear
  • Lack of printers at home for students to print assignments vs looking at a screen
  • Consider having all materials picked up at once vs. multiple trips

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3245 Sheffield Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
510.534.0800