Dear Moravian Academy Families,

We are tremendously grateful for all the incredible work from so many people across our community. These are difficult circumstances and everyone is working hard to make virtual school a success. We especially appreciate the creative efforts and perseverance from our teachers, students, and families, even when the unexpected happens. You are doing great work.

On Monday, March 30th, we will begin Phase 2 of virtual school. Most of what is discussed below is for our older students, but there is some great information for our younger students as well. Phase 2 is all about how we are evolving based on the feedback we've received from the community so far. This phase does not mean we are adding more, but that we are refining Phase 1. We believe this next phase of virtual school will help meet the many different needs in our households across the community. 

View our narrated description of Phase 2, view the video below:

The virtual school day will run from 8:45 am - 3:15 pm. Attendance will be taken once daily during morning advisory (8:45-9:00 am) and teachers will take individual class attendance, as well.

There is a new Virtual Comenius Schedule for students in Grades 5-12, which will be post in myMA. Only scheduled classes will meet each day and they can be either asynchronous or synchronous (real-time). Synchronous classes, which means everyone is online together at the same time, will be announced by individual teachers by 3:00 pm the day before. We are encouraging teaching to only meet synchronously when necessary, many classes will remain asynchronous.

Assignments will still be posted each day on myMA by 9:00 am or during synchronous classes. Students are accountable for content and skills and will turn in assignments for feedback/marks, but the grades will not count towards the end of the year. Additionally, homework may be assigned in Middle and Upper School, Lower School will still not have homework.

For Grades 3-12, we will begin and end our days together in real-time/synchronous advisories between 8:45 -9:00 am and 3:00-3:15 pm. Morning advisory will be used to set a positive tone for the day, afternoon advisory will be used as a check-out, allowing students to transition out of their virtual school day. Primer & Pre-K check-out will occur at 11:30 am.

We will also be adding in asynchronous community activities throughout the week (including chapel).

Our faculty will remain available to students from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm via email. We are strongly encouraging our faculty to have some time for their own personal wellness, so if you email them after 4:30 they will not respond until the following school day.

Each week we will use surveys to help us better understand how you are faring with each new iteration of virtual school and to provide you with any additional support you may require. Thank you for your continued support and hard work. 

Jeff Zemsky

Head of School