ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL’S DISTANCE LEARNING PLAN ENCOURAGES ENGAGEMENT, LEARNING, AND CONNECTIVITY AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Contact:
Deana Callipare, communications coordinator
(412) 247-7970 x200
For Immediate Release
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL’S DISTANCE LEARNING PLAN ENCOURAGES ENGAGEMENT, LEARNING, AND CONNECTIVITY AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
PITTSBURGH (April 17, 2020)— The Environmental Charter School (ECS) deployed its distance learning plan (DLP) on March 18, and it continues to evolve and thrive as the school prepares for online learning for the rest of the academic year.
ECS, along with schools across the country, have transitioned to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. While all schools have struggled with the change, this unprecedented situation has caused a unique challenge for ECS due to the school’s connectivity and multi-disciplinary, out-the-door learning approach.
“The goal of the ECS distance learning plan is to define an educational experience for students that is consistent, effective, relevant and aligned with the ECS vision and mission of supporting the whole child experience,” Dr. Amanda Cribbs, ECS chief academic officer (CAO) said. “We created a phased approach to our plan that was intended to provide a consistent road map for educators and families and allow us to take small steps and evolve over time.”
The ECS DLP included four phases to help ease students and families into their new “normal,” and with the support of dedicated staff and faculty, the DLP not only promotes learning and engagement, but it also allows ECS families to stay connected to teachers, principals, and the schools.
“Throughout the DLP, ECS commits to building in opportunities for interaction, connection and collaboration between students. Learning occurs either synchronously, asynchronously or by using both methods to achieve those ends,” Vicky Hsieh, curriculum & PD associate director of Technology said. “We understand there are benefits and challenges to both styles of digital interactions between students and teachers and feel that a mixture of the two allows for increased access for students.”
ECS does not promote “doing school at home,” but instead asks parents to create a daily or weekly academic routine to provide engagement and learning opportunities. With the feedback of the ECS school community, the district has continued to revise the DLPs to best fit parent and student needs.
ECS’s top priority is always the safety and well being of its students, families, and staff, and while ECS is not in the same location, everyone is working together to be stronger even when students and staff are apart.
For more information about ECS and its Distance Learning Plan (DLP), please view the Continuity of Education Plan or visit ecspgh.org/covid19-information.
About ECS:
The Environmental Charter School is a tuition free K-8 charter school in Pittsburgh, Pa. ECS combines the academic rigor of the best public schools with a multi-disciplinary, “out-the-door” learning approach rooted in real world problems that build active, engaged and empathetic citizens. ECS will grow to K-9 in Fall 2020.
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