Maryvale's 2020-2021 Reopening Plan

 

Click here to view the presentation from the Maryvale State of Reopening - Hosted by Board Chair and Reentry Team Members event on Oct. 27, 2020.

Click here to read the Maryvale 2020-2021 COVID-19 Parent and Student Handbook.

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A reminder that all students, faculty and staff are required to complete the Magnus Health COVID-19 Daily Screeningwhen they report to campus. The screenings must be submitted each morning no later than 7 a.m. for Middle School students and 7:30 a.m. for Upper School students. Timely submission of health information is vital so that preparations can be made prior to the start of each school day. Please reserve 1 to 2 minutes to complete this screening each morning.You can review this instruction sheet as you setup the app on your smartphone.

In an effort to make drop off as efficient as possible, we ask that you take a screenshot of the green "Go" that you receive to show when arriving at campus.

Our reopening plan has been reviewed and approved by the Baltimore County Department of Health, pending any significant changes in metrics. Maryvale is following metrics published by the Maryland Department of Health and Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center. We are focusing on Baltimore County metrics as well as positivity rates in the surrounding counties where our students live and cases within the Maryvale community. 

Specific metrics we are watching include:

• Infection rate in Maryland.
• The number of daily new cases per 100K population in Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Maryland.
• Positive test rate in Maryland, especially for those under the age of 35.

Maryvale’s Reentry Team is actively meeting and monitoring evolving guidelines. Please know that our plans are subject to change at any point based on new information. We will continue to update this page and communicate with families. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we navigate these uncertain times.

*Dates are subject to change

Dec. 21-Jan 1: School Closed; Christmas Break

Jan. 18: School Closed; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Jan. 19: School Closed: Faculty/Staff Professional Development

Feb. 15: School Closed; Presidents’ Day

April 1-9: Easter Break

May 31: School Closed; Memorial Day

June 3: Eighth Grade Celebration; Baccalaureate

June 4: Class of 2021 Graduation

June 7-9: Upper School Exams

Maryvale's Reentry Team is focused on making Maryvale stronger than ever. Members include:

• Heather Andrew, Director of Information Technology, Maryvale 
• Deb Baker, Senior Vice President, Nursing, Johns Hopkins Health System
• Mary Ellen Gallagher Barthelme ’72, Chair, Board of Trustees, Maryvale
• Kelly Bonsack, School Nurse, Maryvale 
• Dr. Peter Chung, Pediatrician, Carroll Children’s Center
• Tracey H. Ford, President, Maryvale
• Jennifer Kerr-Logan, Senior Physician Assistant, Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Dr. Patricia Kirby, Trustee, Maryvale
• Mark Lindenmeyer, Vice President, Enrollment Management, Loyola University Maryland (retired)
• Elizabeth Lowe, Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications, Maryvale 
• Dr. Teri Metcalf McCambridge, Physician, Towson Orthopaedic Associates
• Jen Nicholas, Middle School Head/Academic Dean, Maryvale 
• John Novotny, Trustee, Maryvale
• Diane Richard, School Nurse, Maryvale 
• Theresa Rodgers, Assistant Head of School for Business Operations / CFO, Maryvale
• Dave Schroeder, Director of Plant Operations, Maryvale
• Dr. Victor Shin, Upper School Head/Assistant Head of School, Maryvale
• Amy Swam, Director of Human Resources, Maryvale 
• Marty Voelkel-Hanssen ’75, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Maryvale 

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Nov. 18, 2020:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

As I write this letter, I am hopeful that your families and loved ones continue to stay healthy. Given the recent news around the rising number of COVID-19 cases, I am sure that many of you have anticipated a communication such as this.   

Maryvale's Reentry Team met earlier this week and has recommended a pause to our hybrid learning schedule. Maryvale's Board of Trustees is in full support of this recommendation.

At this time, there will be no changes to the schedule until the Thanksgiving break, which begins next Wednesday, November 25. We will begin to use distance learning only following Thanksgiving break on Tuesday, December 1 through Friday, December 4. Our revised schedule is now available. 

Currently, we plan to resume our hybrid learning model and reopen campus on Monday, December 7. Throughout this time, Maryvale will continue to assess positive COVID-19 cases among students and faculty as well as individuals in quarantine within the Maryvale community; Baltimore County metrics; and positivity rates in surrounding counties. I will be in touch if we need to make additional changes to the schedule. 

I urgently ask you to reconsider your family's risk mitigation efforts, including travel and family gathering plans. In addition, please continue to adhere to the Protect the Sisterhood Pledge. Maryvale's ability to reopen our campus on Monday, December 7 - and remain open - is predicated on each member of the Maryvale community acting responsibly. 

Recently, Governor Hogan urged Marylanders to:

• Cancel travel to any state with a positivity rate above 10 percent.
• Reconsider the number of individuals participating in family gatherings.
• Continue to wear masks both indoors and outdoors.

Maryvale's Reentry Team will continue to follow metrics published by the Maryland Department of Health and Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center. Specific metrics we are watching include:

• The number of Maryvale positive COVID-19 cases and the number of students and faculty in quarantine.
• Infection rate in Maryland.
• The number of daily new cases per 100K population in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and Maryland.
• Positive test rate in Maryland, especially for those under the age of 35.

We continue to require you to share with our school nurses, even during the Thanksgiving break, if your daughter receives a positive COVID-19 test result or has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support. I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. 

Sincerely,

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Oct. 14, 2020:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

I first want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we navigate this complicated situation together. I ask that you continue to keep those in our community who are quarantined in your thoughts and prayers.

I am writing to you today with good news! I am happy to share that the Baltimore County Department of Health has given us the go-ahead to reopen campus tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 15. We will resume our original campus reopening schedule.

• Juniors will be on campus tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 15.
• Seniors will be on campus on Friday, Oct. 16.

If any student prefers to utilize distance learning, rather than coming to campus, please let Dr. Shin know.

During this week's closure, the buildings and areas of campus that were used by exposed students and community members have been thoroughly disinfected.

I look forward to seeing many of you on campus tomorrow!

Warmly,

Tracey

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Oct. 13, 2020:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

Since I wrote to you last night, we have learned additional information about the number of students and others who were exposed to the student with the positive COVID-19 test result.

Understanding the potential impact of the exposure, the Baltimore County Department of Health has said that Maryvale should take the following steps:

• Maryvale's campus will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 14.
• SAT testing has been postponed until Tuesday, Oct. 27, which has been confirmed with the College Board.
• The Class of 2021's movie night, scheduled for this Friday, Oct. 16, will be rescheduled.

An announcement about the reopening of campus for this Thursday, Oct. 15 and Friday, Oct. 16 is pending as we await the test results for a number of community members, including students, faculty and administrators, including Dr. Shin. In addition, mandatory quarantines for a number of individuals are now in effect and the areas of campus used by exposed students and community members are being thoroughly disinfected.

My next communication will address reopening campus for the remainder of the week. We are also looking at a revised schedule, by grade, if needed. We will ensure that the Classes of 2021 and 2022 will be the next grades to be able to enjoy on-campus learning.

Additionally, plans for the fall sports season continue. Upper School families who have expressed interest can still expect to receive a letter from Terri Moeser and Dr. Shin this Thursday, Oct. 15.

This situation highlights why Maryvale and our Reentry Team thoughtfully deliberated for so long over our protocols and created the Protect the Sisterhood Pledge. I strongly encourage each family to again review the COVID-19 Student and Parent Handbook and the Pledge, in recognition of how our individual actions can impact others. As I've said before, COVID-19 is a formidable opponent, with many tentacles.

Despite this setback, our faculty, staff and I were thrilled to have our students return to campus. I will be in touch tomorrow with an update for the rest of the week.

Warmly,

Tracey

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Oct. 12, 2020:

Dear Members of the Maryvale Community,

It has been wonderful to see so many of you on campus over the past days. Unfortunately, I write to you tonight to share that one of our Maryvale students who was on campus last week, with very limited exposure to other students and faculty, has reported a positive COVID-19 test. Please understand that we cannot provide further identifying information as it would violate privacy laws. I ask that you keep this student and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

We are taking reported cases very seriously and are moving forward immediately with the following actions:

• A contact tracer will be reaching out to any individuals who may have come in contact with the student. (Exposure for COVID-19 purposes has been defined by the CDC as being within about six [6] feet of another individual for a minimum of fifteen [15] minutes).
• Campus will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 13. We will be in touch sometime tomorrow to further clarify the length of the closure. Guidance from the Baltimore County Department of Health is needed before we can share this information.
• Completing the Contact Tracing Investigation Report and communicating with those who may have been exposed.
• Thoroughly disinfecting the spaces used by the student.
• In keeping with the requirements in our COVID-19 Handbook, requiring a 14-day quarantine period for the diagnosed student in the hope she can rest comfortably and recover; she will only be allowed to return to campus when she is cleared by a physician and symptom free.

Transparency

The only way we will be able to manage our campus reopening during the pandemic is through transparency. Our pledge to you is to openly share positive cases and any contact tracing reports which are required to be shared with you. We ask you to do the same. If you or your daughter receive a positive COVID-19 test result, please share the news with me immediately. Your identity will remain confidential. I also recommend that you contact your health care provider and your local health department and follow their guidance. As soon as we know more, we will be in touch.

Warmly,

Tracey

Tracey H. Ford

President

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Sept. 21, 2020:

Dear Maryvale Families,

We want to begin with a heartfelt thank you and true appreciation for your daughters and how well they are doing with distance learning. We understand that their success is a collaborative effort between our families and our teachers, and we are so grateful for how supportive you have been during this time. It has also lifted our spirits this fall to see that our sense of community and sisterhood at Maryvale is alive and well — as we've observed in Community Homeroom, after school clubs and the recent student council elections.

Campus Reopening Update

Since our last communication, we have received approval and clearer guidance from the Baltimore County Department of Health on how to safely reopen our campus — in a hybrid fashion with a gradual rollout. We are incredibly happy to share with you that beginning on Monday, Oct. 5, we plan to welcome students back onto campus in small groups by division or grade level.

We will welcome everyone back in phases to ensure that students, parents, faculty and staff understand and abide by social distancing protocols established by Maryvale's Campus Reentry Team under guidance from the CDC, as well as State and local health officials.

Click here for the tentative campus reopening schedule until the end of the 1st quarter, which is Monday, Nov. 2. School will be closed for all students, faculty and staff on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Key Metrics to Watch

Our reopening plan has been reviewed and approved by the Baltimore County Department of Health, pending any significant changes in metrics. Maryvale is following metrics published by the Maryland Department of Health and Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center. We are focusing on Baltimore County metrics as well as positivity rates in the surrounding counties where our students live and cases within the Maryvale community. Please note, all campus reopening plans continue to be subject to change.

Athletics and the Arts

Upper School athletics and other extracurricular activities, such as performing arts, are approved to begin in small groups. On-campus athletic workouts will begin for Upper School students on Monday, Oct. 5. Your daughters will soon receive individual signups through email. In order to comply with social distancing guidelines for all fall sports (Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer and Volleyball), each of these sports will be limited to 10 participants per day. Student athletes will only be allowed to participate in one sport for the fall season. Workouts will take place outside from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting.

Information about performing arts will be provided in the coming weeks. Logistical details of our reopening plan, including arrival and departure times, are also forthcoming.

Protect the Sisterhood Pledge

Maryvale's Campus Reentry Team is making every effort to bring students back to campus as safely as possible but in order to open and stay open, we are requesting that you partner with us in protecting the Maryvale community. We have created the Protect the Sisterhood Pledge to serve as a reminder that we are all in this together. Click here to review the Pledge.

The Pledge outlines guidelines for limiting the chances of COVID-19 exposures on our campus. We are also asking that if your daughter is participating in large gatherings where social distancing isn't possible, such as large athletic tournaments, family weddings and sleepovers, that she uses distance learning for two weeks following those events. It is our hope that in looking out for each other, we can keep everyone healthy and avoid the closures that other local independent schools, as well as colleges and universities, have already experienced.

Thank you for your partnership as we navigate these uncharted waters together. We love seeing your daughters on Zoom but we can't wait to see them on campus, to build the #NewNormalSameSisterhood together!

Warmly,

Tracey H. Ford

President

Dr. Victor Shin

Upper School Head/Assistant Head of School

Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head/Academic Dean

The following letter was sent to Maryvale families on Sept. 4, 2020:

Dear Maryvale Parents and Guardians,

It was wonderful to see your daughters on campus this week! We are looking forward to an incredible school year! We appreciate your ongoing partnership.

This Tuesday, Sept. 8 is the first day of classes. Zoom links will be posted on each course's Bulletin Board.

Click here for a sample of the academic schedule for the 2020-2021 school year. The schedule allows for in-depth academic programming and a balance between home and school. It also includes daily office hours, both before and after school, so that teachers can provide individualized support as needed. Frequent advisory meetings are built into the schedule to maintain community among our students.

Distance learning plan

• The school day will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. There is an activity period following the last class, which runs until 3:30 p.m. Faculty will hold office hours most school days from 7:55 a.m. to 8:25 a.m., 2:50 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and by appointment. If a student plans to attend office hours, she should notify her teacher and parent on the same email.
• Each class will begin with a Zoom session. During that time, faculty will take attendance and discuss the plan for the day. Students should be on time for all classes.
• Zoom classes should be treated like on-campus classes. Students must wear their Maryvale polo shirts and log on to Zoom ready to learn for each class. Students may wear an approved Maryvale sweatshirt over the polo shirt for class. Students should not be in bed or lying down during classes.
• Faculty will be utilizing a variety of instructional methods during allotted class times.
• Maryvale faculty may assign homework to continue the learning process. Middle School students can expect up to 20 minutes of homework per class, Upper School students can expect up to 30 minutes of homework per class and students in AP classes can expect up to 40 minutes of homework per class.
• If parents or students have any questions, please contact your teacher first.
• Thoroughly review each course syllabus.
• Parents should report student absences to Julie Lanahan at the beginning of the school day.

Be prepared to receive additional information on our gradual hybrid plans as our learning format evolves this school year.

Mark your calendars

• Virtual Upper School Back to School Night: Thursday, Sept. 17
• Virtual Middle School Back to School Night: Thursday, Sept. 24

Additional information is forthcoming!

Maryvale's administration is excited for a wonderful and exciting school year in the New Normal. Same Sisterhood.

Sincerely,

Dr. Victor Shin

Upper School Head/Assistant Head of School

Mrs. Jessica Vitrano Randisi '01

Upper School Assistant Head/Dean of Students

Mrs. Jennifer Nicholas

Middle School Head/Academic Dean

Ms. Kalea Selmon

Director of Diversity and Inclusion

Mrs. Gracie Smith

Associate Academic Dean

September 18, 2020

September 25, 2020

October 2, 2020

October 9, 2020

October 16, 2020

October 23, 2020

October 30, 2020

November 6, 2020

November 13, 2020

November 20, 2020

December 4, 2020

Can students remove their masks indoors? No. Maryvale is following CDC recommendations, which includes that masks are required at all times when indoors. There will be no exceptions.

We are adhering to this requirement in an effort to protect the health and well-being of faculty, as well as students, who will be in our buildings throughout the day. If you feel that you cannot support this requirement, we ask that you choose the all-distance option. There will be no exceptions to masking while indoors.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ reopening guidance points out that three feet can be sufficient for social distancing. Are there plans to update or modify the six foot recommendation to allow for flexibility and three foot distancing when possible? Maryvale is taking a more conservative approach and will not waiver in the CDC’s original recommendations of six feet apart for social distancing because it is designed to further protect students, faculty and staff. Our administration and facilities team has literally spent days conducting an audit of each space on campus and our reopening plan reflects this.

Maryvale has a great plan for reopening campus for the 2020-2021 school year. However, if families do not follow the guidelines outlined, then everyone on Maryvale’s campus is at risk. What will school administrators do if they learn that families are not following the rules, such as not reporting if they fly on a plane and not quarantining after travel? This is a question which greatly concerns the administration, faculty and staff. The only ongoing way for Maryvale to possibly open in a hybrid fashion and remain open is if families cooperate with and support the protocols which have been mandated. These guidelines were painstakingly developed with the support of healthcare professionals. Adherence to these guidelines is our best option to try to reopen Maryvale’s campus in a hybrid fashion and remain open. It is every family’s responsibility to keep the faculty, staff and other families as healthy as possible. Anyone who cannot abide by the school’s hybrid learning protocols must seriously consider opting for the distance learning-only option. We will not waiver from the policies we have communicated. We greatly appreciate your partnership in this effort.

We are in the process of revising our parent and student handbook to include disciplinary measures which will be taken if and when the school learns of noncompliance. Families will have the opportunity to review this handbook in advance of the planned reopening of campus in late August for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

What happens if a student or employee tests positive for COVID-19? In the event of a positive COVID-19 test within the Maryvale community (faculty, staff or student), the school will close for a minimum of two to five days while we await direction from the Baltimore County Health Department. During that time we will revert to a complete distance learning model. This may result in faculty, staff and students quarantining for a defined period. As CDC and Baltimore County Health Department guidelines evolve, we will adjust our processes accordingly.

What happens if someone living in a student or employee’s household tests positive for COVID-19? If someone living in a student or employee's household tests positive for COVID-19, the student or employee must use distance learning for a period of 10 school days.

If a parent travels by plane during the school year does the student still need to engage in distance learning for two weeks? No. We recognize that many parents must travel for businesses and other purposes. Therefore, the 10 school day distance learning quarantine is required only if the student travels by plane or train.

Will families who travel out of state have to self-quarantine as recommended by the state? This is a requirement for some other area private schools and a question that healthcare providers are asking. The recommendations and requirements continue to evolve in this fluid situation. At least two weeks prior to the planned reopening of campus for the 2020-2021 school year, Maryvale will refer to current guidelines and at that time communicate those to families. We can all also expect that modifications will continue until the COVID-19 crisis is resolved.

Are students required to wear their uniforms on days when they are engaged with distance learning? Yes, students are required to wear their uniform shirt when engaged with distance learning.

It seems that Maryvale’s expenses should be less in the coming year. As a result, will we be receiving a refund for base tuition or for St. Julie Billiart program tuition?

As a reminder, earlier this summer, Maryvale rolled back the cost of base tuition for the 2020-2021 school year to the same level as the 2019-20 school year.

While it could seem like Maryvale’s expenses may have decreased since COVID-19 arrived in our world, our expenses have in fact increased considerably since March, both during the 2019-2020 school year and also for the 2020-2021 school year. We have and will continue to incur pandemic-related expenses. We also recognize that, until a resolution is reached, COVID-19 will continue to be a part of our world and we anticipate that we will incur additional unexpected costs.

While the delivery of instruction and the number of students on campus may be different, the majority of Maryvale’s budget falls into the category of fixed costs. Examples of fixed costs include insurance for the campus, maintenance and upkeep of the campus, software, and other necessary infrastructure costs. In addition, in order to provide the quality education you have come to expect from Maryvale, we have committed to retaining our full faculty and staff and have, as previously noted, added personnel due to COVID-19. These combined costs represent more than 90 percent of the school’s budget. While there are minor savings in variable costs such as electricity, water and copier expenses, the necessary costs incurred due to the pandemic greatly exceed those savings.

Tuition at Maryvale does not cover the full cost of education. We rely on voluntary contributions to the Annual Fund with a yearly goal of $800,000, all of which is used toward offsetting the difference between what tuition costs and what families pay. The 2019-2020 school year already saw a decrease of over 10 percent in contributions to the Annual Fund and, despite all best efforts, Maryvale is prepared for the reality that contributions may/will again drop in the 2020-2021 year as alumnae and families continue to face economic challenges.

We have also experienced a precipitous drop in auxiliary revenue which offsets tuition including, but not limited to, facility rentals, dining services, school store sales and the ongoing cancellation of several major fundraising events.

As a result, tuition cannot be less, whether students are learning on campus or engaged in distance learning. There has not been a reduction in the cost associated with delivering a Maryvale education.

In the case of the SJB program, the faculty members who are a part of that program are solely dedicated to students in the SJB program. Therefore, the cost of that program has not and will not be reduced.

Why did Maryvale receive a $2 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan when the school didn't close? Maryvale applied for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in good faith, so that we could continue to provide the best quality of education to our students. COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on organizations across all industries, including private school education. Maryvale qualified for $1.2 million in PPP funding based on our payroll, which allowed us to continue employing and providing health insurance coverage to our nearly 100 faculty and staff members, despite a multi-month campus closure. While we transitioned to online learning, this unexpected closure resulted in decreased gross revenues as it forced us to cancel two of our biggest fundraising events, suspend our capital fundraising campaign and shut down ancillary sources of income, such as the school store, after care program and summer athletic camps. Additionally, we have added expenses as a result of updating our online learning technology platforms and providing increased financial aid to those families who are also struggling amidst this crisis.

All Maryvale faculty are completing distance/hybrid learning professional development this summer. The list below is a sampling, not an all-inclusive list, of professional development that faculty members have participated in over the summer. Faculty have been taking advantage of other professional development offerings this summer.

• The majority of our faculty are participating in the AIMS Distance Learning Pop-up Course for Educators.
  • Course essential questions: What are the core tenets of your school and how might these translate to distance learning? What are the basic types of learner interactions possible and what is the best way to use them? What are your students’ social-emotional needs during distance learning and how might you best support and encourage them?
  • Course content: distance learning best practices, types of learner interactions, social-emotional learning, equity in distance learning, virtual assessment tools and engagement in an online environment.

• Others are participating in courses through the Global Online Academy, including:
  • Design Bootcamp
    • design online learning experiences that promote student agency
    • build community in online spaces, including peer to peer relationships and student and teacher relationships
    • design assessments that allow both students and teachers to know what students are learning with an emphasis on evidence of student work
    • incorporate wayfinding and best practices in the smooth and intuitive design of online learning spaces
    • self-assess and reflect upon their pedagogy and practice in online teaching and learning
    • review and provide meaningful feedback on colleagues' work products as well as receive feedback on their own work
  • Designing for Online Learning
    • This course will cover the fundamentals of designing high quality online learning experiences.
  • Designing for Online Learning: Student Agency
    • Course for educators who want to learn how to foster learning experiences that help students to develop and exercise agency.
  • Designing for Online Learning: Wayfinding
    • Course for educators who want to learn how to build engaging, navigable, and student-centered online learning experiences.

• Members of Maryvale’s science department participated in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Teacher Research Academy to further develop tools for online laboratory and hands-on experiences.
  • Bioscience
    • This virtual workshop for middle and high teachers focuses on enriching NGSS standards using the lens of biotechnology to inspire student lab experiences. This workshop will provide the opportunity to expand or refresh lab skills, while exploring how lab investigations can be scaled up or scaled down according to SEP/CCC focus, resources, and/or grade level.
    • Teachers will discuss how authentic rigorous lab experiences can be integrated into NGSS, AP and IB curricula. Learn how to source free science materials and local mini grants as well. Participants will learn through virtual laboratory activities and complementary “kitchen science” in microbiology, biology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics. The afternoons will be dedicated to developing mini-units to share with other participants at the end of the workshop that on that can be implemented in future classroom instruction.
  • Physics with Phone Sensors
    • This online workshop will focus on hands-on activities designed to use science and engineering practices to explore core disciplinary ideas in physics. The activities will exploit the amazing set of sensors in the smartphones which all your students own and are expert users. During this workshop you will become experienced in using the sensors in open ended exploration that will enable completely new opportunities for students to explore and learn physics.

• Some faculty participated in AP Summer Institutes to further their AP course knowledge. All classes occurred in a virtual environment.
  • AP Summer Institutes offer the most intensive professional development available for AP educators. Attendees engage in at least 30 hours of content-rich training designed to strengthen how they teach their AP courses. Learn innovative best practices, explore ready-to-use strategies, and increase course knowledge.

• All faculty will participate in Challenge Success’s Grab and Go Strategies for Assessment Learning Online workshop in late August. Below is a description of the workshop. Challenge Success is affiliated with Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education.
  • How do we best assess student learning during this unexpected shift to remote learning? In this workshop, we will share and model a range of assessment strategies that provide meaningful feedback to students in a virtual environment. Participants will leave with relevant, interactive, and fun practices that they can begin using tomorrow.

• Maryland Department of Health 
• Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center
• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Maryvale's school counselors will continue to be available to provide academic, personal and emotional support to students for the extent of this school closure. Students or parents can request virtual counseling appointments via email and the counselors will follow up to schedule a one-on-one Zoom session with the student. The counselors will remain in close contact with teachers and administrators to identify students in need of services. They will reach out via email to schedule check-ins with identified students.

While the school counselors are here to support students, those in need of in-depth mental health counseling and services should seek treatment from licensed mental health providers in the community, many of whom are also offering virtual therapy through telehealth platforms. If you are seeking a referral to a local mental health provider, Maryvale's counselors are happy to work with you in facilitating that connection. In case of a mental health emergency during a time in which the counselors cannot be reached, please call 911 or see the list of crisis resources below.

Please contact Maryvale's school counselors with any questions:

Claire Doyle, School Counselor

Hillary Horgan, School Counselor

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