Question 1

If you have additional questions, email:"

Accepted Answer

mmahoney@madeira.org

Question 2

What does the hybrid daily schedule (in-person and remote) look like?

Accepted Answer

Question 3

What does the all-remote daily schedule look like?

Accepted Answer

Question 4

How will the School ensure all students have the skills to work remotely?

Accepted Answer

Our ninth graders have been practicing some of the tech skills during their summer work for Student Life. Teachers will embed instruction related to the class tools in their lessons. Our ed tech specialists also love student questions! We want to build student confidence with the tools needed for remote learning.

Question 5

Given time zone differences, what happens if my daughter can’t attend live sessions every block?"

Accepted Answer

Technology allows us all to connect! Your daughters will be full members of their classes, able to access all materials, able to interact in groups with peers, and in conversation with their teachers. We are starting the day with advising time, for we want them to experience this small group or the full class meeting, as both support the transition process. This summer, all the teachers have been developing courses composed of rich and rigorous learning activities. We knew that this year, in particular, the focus needed to be on developing quality learning activities, that require each student to engage with course materials, with the teacher, and with the other students. We knew that it was unlikely that all of our students would be in the same classroom at the same time all year long, so we have focused on the learning and the relationships (again with teacher, with peers, and with course material) rather than on a shared classroom. We think this benefits all students and all learning.

Question 6

Are studio art classes still being offered?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! All studio courses will be offered. Teachers have designed learning activities knowing that some students would be in the classroom and some would not, and that for part of the year all learning would be remote. Yes, even Darkroom Photography is being offered! We look forward to seeing the work Madeira visual and performing art students will produce. Please watch arts@Madeira on Instagram throughout the mod for a gallery walk of student art.

Question 7

Will families have the opportunity to choose to remain in remote learning versus returning to in-person learning?

Accepted Answer

Each mod, families will be able to make the decision on whether to complete the mod via distance learning or in-person. All classes have been re-designed over the summer to be presented both in person and remotely, so students can choose either option.

Question 8

I had my textbooks shipped directly to Madeira. Is it possible to change the shipping address if the textbooks have not shipped yet?

Accepted Answer

You are able to change the shipping address as long as the books have not been shipped from the facility. To check shipment status and to change shipping address, contact Follett Customer Service at 800-381-5151. You should do this as soon as possible since you can change the shipping address ONLY if the books have not been shipped.

Question 9

If the textbooks have been delivered or are en route to Madeira and I am a DAY student, can I pick them up?"

Accepted Answer

If you are a DAY student and the textbooks have been delivered, you may pick up your textbooks at your earliest convenience. You will pick up your textbooks in the mailroom on the bottom floor of the Student Center.

Question 10

If the textbooks have been delivered or are en route to Madeira and I am a BOARDING student, can the textbooks be shipped to me?"

Accepted Answer

If you are a BOARDING student and the textbooks have been delivered, you may pick up your textbooks at your earliest convenience. If you are a local boarder or have someone local who can come to campus, you will pick up your textbooks in the mailroom on the bottom floor of the Student Center. The deliveries are separated by DORM. If you are not able to come to campus to pick up your textbooks, please contact the business office (businessoffice@madeira.org) to arrange for shipment.

Question 11

What are the parameters about learning on campus or remotely in ’20-’21?

Accepted Answer

In ’20-’21, students and families have the choice for on-campus or off-campus learning. All courses will be designed as hybrid courses, to meet students’ learning needs in our unusual year. Students who are learning off campus are making the decision on a mod-by-mod basis (with the single exception of an international student who can get a flight mid-mod, all other students are either learning on campus for the entire mod or learning remotely for the entire mod). If one is learning off campus and in a time zone that allows, she is required to participate in the synchronous part of the day (advising, class instruction, class and community meetings, etc.). If she is in a time zone that does not allow, her teachers will arrange with her a different time during the day for her 10-20 minutes of teacher-forward instruction. Whether learning on campus or remotely, all students are expected to meet graduation requirements, including participation in D block, and all grading is standard.

Question 12

By when does a student need to decide between in-person or virtual, mod by mod?"

Accepted Answer

We have been handling these situations individually and are attempting to be as flexible as possible. We will work med by mod but are currently responding to families as they make their decision process known to us

Question 13

If my daughter decides she is uncomfortable on campus and wants to switch to online, would she be able to easily do that? Vice versa?"

Accepted Answer

We are hoping students/families will stick with a decision for the mod. Obviously, please connect in real time if she is uncomfortable on campus. We will work together. If she is at home, we will welcome her back at the start of the next mod.

Question 14

How will virtual students experience the classroom?

Accepted Answer

Remote learners will be "in" the classroom in real-time, unless time zone does not allow.

Question 15

Can my daughter have a tutor come to campus to work with her?

Accepted Answer

When the goal is to minimize density on campus, no tutors are allowed on campus. A student may arrange to work with a tutor virtually, though of course she may not work with a tutor during study hall or any other school obligation. Any student working with a tutor should be sharing that information with her teacher and the learning specialist.

Question 16

Can my daughter have private music lessons on campus?

Accepted Answer

The Madeira arts department works closely with a small group of music teachers who give private lessons virtually or in person. Please contact Mrs. Newman in the arts department (snewman@madeira.org) for information about how to access these teachers.

Question 17

How will we participate in orchestra if we are doing distance learning?

Accepted Answer

You can participate virtually. The class is being designed that way. You will need to connect with others in your ensemble as well as with your teacher.

Question 18

How will the Mod schedule work when the classes are shorter and the material still has to be covered in a very short period of time?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid learning does not differentiate between classroom time and homework time. All learning is concerned learning time. We are designing courses using our standard guidelines for time devoted to course. We are and have been committed to deep learning, so we are interested in skill building and immersion. Our focus is not on "coverage."

Question 19

If the classes are shorter and there is no distinction between classwork and homework, does that mean most students will see an increase in the time they need to spend on homework?"

Accepted Answer

No. Teachers are specifically designing learning tasks so that there is little to no distinction between classwork and homework. There should not be an increase in homework load, and teachers will coach students on best practices for getting work done.

Question 20

How will grading work for classes? Will all the tests be open book or will it just be for those that have chosen to do distance learning?

Accepted Answer

Teachers will explicitly address grading at the beginning of each mod. Assessments may be re-designed to focus on performance tasks and higher-order thinking questions.

Question 21

Considering the different time zone (e.g. about 12 hours in China), is it obligated for students to attend the class live?"

Accepted Answer

Students in far-away time zones do NOT have to attend all classes; they will have the opportunity to attend a brief session with their teachers daily, based on a mutually agreed upon times.

Question 22

Where will day students go in the time between classes if the weather does not permit the students to be outside?

Accepted Answer

Girls will have the biggest chunk of free time during the lunch period.  When they are not eating they can be in the Library, Main Living Room, their C block classroom, the Hurd, the C/A Foyer or Main Living Room.  Passing time between classes is only 15 minutes this year so there won't be as much need for these spaces in between classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page is dynamic and will continue to change with further developments.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This page is dynamic and will continue to change with further developments.

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