Move to Asynchronous learning

[dawnsparks]

Dear ICS,

As you can imagine there is a lot of discussion over the past 24 hours since the news of the school closing on April 7. I certainly appreciate being given a couple of weeks notice so that we can prepare. I agree with the school's decision and I understand that it is not easy. I also understand that starting on April 8, that the school will move to synchronous learning and be on Ethiopian time, and that all teachers will remain in country. 

However I would appreciate further transparency from the school, should what I heard is true. Again this is a rumor... I heard that they school is likely to move to asynchronous learning by the end of the month. In fact, I have heard that some teachers are already changing their plane tickets from the end of May to April. 

Thus I ask for a time line and if this true, I think the parents would appreciate knowing this in advance as parents will need to alter work schedules, or make contingency planning themselves which takes time. I realize in times like this, situations can be fluid. I would ask the Administration to schedule a town hall meeting, as soon as possible as there are many parents that have questions. 

With thanks,

Dawn

[Suganya Kimbrough]

I want to echo Dawn's comment about scheduling a town hall. It will be great to hear from the Administration sooner than later to address these questions/concerns that many parents have. 

Thanks,

Suganya

[ICS Comms]

Thanks for your support and email Dawn.  We've had many supportive and positive emails from parents and appreciate you reaching out with questions.

For the full time of online learning there will be a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning.  At the same time, we will not have students sit in front of a screen for 8 hours, at any point.

We will start online learning on 7 April. While we have had community members express their disappointment that we are not moving to an online platform immediately, our hope is that we can remain on campus until 7 April in order to give our students the opportunity to transition well, say goodbye to their friends and prepare for online learning. 

Additionally, our goal is to have our teachers, EAs and staff teaching from campus until 29 April offering a synchronous learning experience while collaborating with their colleagues.  However, if it is unsafe for our employees to be on campus together due to higher community transmission rates or insecurity in Addis, then we will move our employees to working remotely sooner.

Our goal is to get to 29 April safely before allowing our teachers to work remotely. The move to working remotely is about the safety of our employees and allowing those that can, the ability to get somewhere safe and to get vaccinated.  

We will be sharing more information and details next week and the following weeks.  We must remain flexible as the ability for students and teachers/employees to meet on campus may change at a moment's notice.  

I hope you understand that these decisions are based first and foremost on the safety and security of students and employees.

On Friday, March 26, 2021 at 8:24:19 AM UTC+3 dawnsparks wrote: