Updated: March 16, 2020

Principal Matters

Dear Upper School Students and Parents,

This letter contains important details about the remote school plan that launches tomorrow – Tuesday, March 17.  A recorded video with an explanation of the plan is available by cutting and pasting the following link directly into the browser of your choice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAYNX1PsDjI&feature=youtu.be 

In addition, a document containing the details of the remote school plan along with frequently asked questions about the remote school plan is  attached.  This document is also posted in Power School on Class Pages.

The basic overview of the remote school plan is that classes will “meet” according to the regular spring calendar daily rotation.  Only classes that meet on a given day will post lessons and only classes that meet will have assignments due on that day.  So, for example, on Tuesday, March 17 we will be on a day 4 rotation with periods 2,3,4,5,6 meeting.

All classes meeting on a day will have a daily lesson plan posted by 9:00 am.  Classes are “asynchronous,” meaning that though lessons are posted by 9:00, students will have flexibility to complete the lessons and assignments at their own pace.

Every day, teachers will host “virtual” office hours.  Students may video conference with their teachers at the time appointed by their teachers.  Teachers may also host live chats or broadcast live lessons during their virtual office hours.

It is very important to understand that while teachers will be creative and work hard to create meaningful lessons and assignments, the assignments are NOT optional.  The assignments posted will be graded and will impact the spring semester grade.

Also, please note that beginning Tuesday, March 17, campus will be closed.  No teachers or students may be on campus for any reason.  If an emergency need arises to come to campus, please contact me directly at jonathan.merrill@woodward.edu.

This remote school plan will remain in effect until March 27.  Plans for remote school beyond March 27 will be adjusted and revaluated as this novel corona virus episode continues to unfold.  We know that teaching and learning remotely is new to us all.  I ask that we all work together, remain flexible and patient, and continue extending grace. 

I also know that the thought of not seeing friends, the possibility of not having prom, and the reality of cancelling athletic competitions and performances weighs heavily on our students.  Simply put, school is not the same without all of us here on campus.  Please know that while we cannot predict the future, we promise to be thoughtful, innovative, and creative to preserve and provide meaningful experiences for our students.

Please stay safe and healthy, use your time productively, and do not hesitate to contact me (jonathan.merrill@woodward.edu) or Assistant Principal Ronda Zents (ronda.zents@woodward.edu) with any questions or concerns.

Best regards,

Dr. Jonathan Merrill
Upper School Principal

Updated: March 25, 2020

Webinar

Please see the website below for access to a webinar for any families who may be looking for constructive support as they experience this extraordinary time of shifting to a new way of being with one another.  This webinar will focus on easy to use skills and ideas for practical implementation of these skills so they can be com integrated into our daily routines.

Remote School Learning

Please see this informative letter and Remote Learning information from Dr. Merrill about school closing and remote learning. 

Important Dates and Events for Seniors

Please see the important dates and events for seniors here.

Parent Meet and Greet

After hearing in the annual Parent Feedback Survey that you, as parents, are interested in getting to know and engaging with your Woodward neighbors, the Academy has facilitated a Meet & Greet initiative! 

We have parents in several neighborhoods who have offered to host events at their homes for Woodward families and for neighbors interested in learning more about WA, across metro Atlanta. Please be on the lookout for invitations to events in your neighborhood from your fellow WA parents!

And we’d love to expand our group of hosts and volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering as a host for a Meet & Greet in your neighborhood, please contact the Admissions Office. We hope to create more connections within our Woodward community for our parents!

Taggart's Drivers Ed Class

Taggart's will offer a summer class of Drivers Ed from July 20-24. Complete information is here.

Student Day Planner

Parents may purchase a student day planner for their Upper School student in the Campus Store or download a copy here.

Interfaith Initiatives

Greetings Woodward Academy Community,

What a fantastic start to 2020 at Woodward Academy! Interfaith student leaders are excited about our plans to showcase Woodward’s beautiful traditions throughout the school for the entire semester. We are currently preparing our first interfaith prayer service of the year and finishing the plans for the 4th annual Interfaith Immersion Trip. We are also planning various holiday assemblies for our religious observances, as well as on-campus services for Ash Wednesday.

In the coming month, our students will participate in the following religious observances:

• February 25 (Christianity) - Shrove Tuesday ends the season of Epiphany and is the vigil for the starting of Lent.
• February 26 (Christianity) - Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of prayer and repentance that precedes Easter.

Please feel free to visit our Interfaith Initiatives page to see the times of all interfaith prayer opportunities or to share a prayer request.

Blessings,

Chaplain K
Rev. Katie O. Kilpatrick
Academy Chaplain
Woodward Academy
404-391-7589

Check Out the Parent Community Website!

Have you had a chance to connect with other Upper School parents? There are many exciting upcoming activities that will offer you a chance to meet other parents, connect with faculty and support our students. Whether you’re looking to volunteer or wondering when the next Parent Community event is, you can now find it all on the Parent Community website. Please be sure to check it regularly for upcoming opportunities to contribute or volunteer. You also can follow us on Facebook @WAParentCommunity. 

Security Reminder

Parents, please sign in at your child's school each time you visit and clearly display your visitor badge while you are on campus. Thank you.