A Message from Dr. Dwyer

Dear Christ the King School families,

Thank you for your continued efforts in the expeditious transition to online distance learning last week.  I am amazed by all of the lessons and positive messages to your teaches at CKS.  Our teachers will continue to post on their web pages on "Classroom Links and Resources During Temporary School Closure" posted on the CKS website.

As we continue this journey to remote distance learning, we realize it not only entails a change in format, but also demands a change in practice.  Our mission of CKS calls us to be a Catholic community of love and care which takes place in our human face to face interactions with our students. Thus, teaching online is not the same as the indelible relationships we have formed with our students and families at the CKS building.  Distance learning requires us to consider online tools and resources to build upon the foundation we have established with our students since August. 

We need to challenge ourselves to have a positive attitude and a flexible mindset to make the online transition as smooth as possible. We need to acknowledge the entire world is imperfectly adjusting to a new reality, and nobody expects us to create lessons that reflect the usual school day.  We can accept that both parents and fellow educators are experiencing anxiety during this evolving crisis.  Our stress is compounded with now having our own children to care for at home, caring for and/or thinking of ill family members, the stress of managing daily household chores, complying with social distancing measures, working from home and navigating online distance learning for our students. 

It is crucial and paramount for your own well being to be kind and forgiving of yourself and your children. The next few months will be emotionally taxing, so we need to keep in mind we are all in this together. 

Here are some suggestions I have for us to mitigate the transition to distance learning:

1. Organize your space and time at home to accommodate your new work environment
2. Keep basic daily practices like meal times, changing children out of pajamas, setting up a school schedule and a designated work area in your home. 
3. Consider using  a shared calendar such as iCal or Google Calendar       
4. Consider allowing your children outdoor time to get fresh air and run off energy
5. Consider phone calling and/or Face time a family member because hearing your voice may bring calm and a sense of understanding to those we cannot immediately see
6. Establish time boundaries in terms of online use, distance learning does not mean 24 hours a day access to the internet and teachers 

As we embark on our first full week of online distance learning let us be patient, polite and forgiving with our children, teachers, and family. 

Be safe and stay healthy,

Dr. Dwyer