EFFECTIVE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

Hello American Academy Families, 

The health and safety of your children is of the utmost importance to the staff of American Academy and we have been reassessing the situation in real-time, as we promised.

As of today, March 12, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, and our nation’s leading health authorities called for all of us to prepare and be ready to adjust in support of the health and well-being of all Americans amidst this rapidly evolving health challenge.

Although there are still no reported cases of children with COVID-19, we are taking this situation very seriously and heavily weighing all aspects of our responsibility to protect the health of our students, Academy community, our staff, and then our larger civic role to mitigate the spread globally. 

Our position will always lean toward carefulness and caution. We have made the decision to begin an organized, temporary academy closure at the conclusion of all school activities on Tuesday, March 17 and move students to a remote learning temporary platform to complete their projects. I am proud to say that our students are already incredible remote learners–which is a useful 21st Century skill to continue to hone! I am also happy to announce that we have a remarkable staff who are ready to provide an excellent online experience for all of our students.

We will move to a remote learning model for students on Wednesday, March 18. We will use Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17 to train the students on Google Classroom while at the Academy. Please be assured this is a preventative, proactive decision, and we have no indication that there is a case of COVID-19 in our American Academy community. Please expect a minimum two-week school closure. 

REMOTE LEARNING

Google Classroom
All of our teachers including our Kidspot teacher, our Essential Discourse teachers, and World Language teachers are prepared for working with students remotely on their projects and to offer private tutoring sessions through our online scheduling calendar. 

We will be using Google Classroom to work online. Google Classroom is a streamlined, easy-to-use tool that helps teachers manage student’s coursework. In Google Classroom, teachers will work with students on their Essential Discourse projects, World Language activities including one-on-one conversational practice, send feedback, and generally help students progress forward according to each class syllabus. Also, within Google Classroom, students will have the opportunity to regularly communicate with the teacher and other students regarding their projects and see everything in one place.

We have created Google Classrooms that align with the student’s current Academy classes and levels.

Google Classroom Set-up
American Academy staff will help your child set up his/her Google Classroom while at the Academy on Monday or Tuesday. Please make sure your child has his/her electronic device and charger. If your child will not be at the academy on Monday or Tuesday, we will be offering resources for you to help set your child up on Google Classroom personally at home. 

At-home Set-up
We ask parents to prepare at home as well. We need each child to have their OWN “Gmail” email address to use Google Classroom. Please set this email address up now and send it to your Academy Director. Gmail is free. You can cancel your child’s email address later if you prefer for them to not have one down the road. 

Temporary Situation
We recognize this temporary school closure will create new considerations for our families to navigate. During this health crisis, we will lean on our strong school-parent partnership. 

We understand you may have many questions. Please expect more detailed messages from your Director on remote learning and Academy operations. We will also continue to communicate with you throughout the closure and in the event of any new developments.

We are in this together and are guided by our mission and core values. I am confident that the extraordinary strength of our American Academy community will enable us to persist and thrive in these challenging times. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Warm regards,

Angela Hansen
President and Founder
American Academy of Strategic Education
Phone: 949-371-5785
Email: info@american-academy.org