Distance Learning at MC

A Message from Principal Chris Valdez to Accepted Families

Dear Families,

Congratulations on your child’s acceptance to Marin Catholic. Each Marin Catholic class has a unique character and I imagine that the Class of 2024 will be shaped largely by how students, families, and faculty and staff all respond to our current crisis. I’m writing to give you a glimpse of what is at work here at MC.

Mission-Based Structure and Routine

Our first week of distance learning went very well in my evaluation. The second week will provide more challenges as the novelty of the Zoom platform wears off and restlessness takes over many homes. Throughout this school closure we have worked very hard to ensure that all things we do continue to be mission-based with emphasis on what makes us unique: relationships. Knowing that the primary support families need right now is structure and routine, we adopted from the beginning a synchronous model where students and teachers meet online on our regular 7 period rotating block schedule. Classes generally begin with a check-in and an overview of the day’s agenda and then move to the goals of the day. Sometimes this will be a lecture, sometimes a small group discussion using Zoom’s breakout rooms feature. Although we have 75 minute periods, teachers are sensitive to not keeping their students on screen for the whole period. The average amount of time a student is on Zoom/in “class” is about 35 minutes.

This approach ensures structure and routine, academic pacing that will ensure all students have the opportunity to meet the course outcomes, and ongoing engagement between teachers and students. Our belief here at MC is that the most important learning comes out of structure and relationships.

This model will be challenging to sustain, particularly as our heroic teachers manage their own homes and families, but we are going to do it. This is our commitment to supporting our families through this.

School Strength

Our strength as a school is a clarity of purpose and consistency of execution. This is exposed in even deeper ways as this crisis is prolonged. Our professional and stable faculty and staff are pouring hours and hours of time for the sake of their students. Our usual financial discipline has ensured that we will continue to be able to execute all school programs and financial aid support as we always have.

We are moving forth knowing the things we cannot change, and changing the things we can. I invite you to take a look below at our archived communications during the school closure for a closer glimpse at how we are managing and coming together as a community.

Finally, I recognize that there is much uncertainty in your lives right now. Our commitment at MC remains the same. We support our students and families--this now includes you- in every way we can. The most important way is being clear of expectation and consistent in structuring the student experience.

As a community of faith, we pray for your strength and calm.

Sincerely,

Chris Valdez
Principal

School Communications Regarding Distance Learning

675 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Kentfield CA 94904 Phone: 415-464-3898 | Email: admissions@marincatholic.org

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Distance Learning at MC

A Message from Principal Chris Valdez to Accepted Families

School Communications Regarding Distance Learning