Rashi’s leadership had been planning for remote learning in the face of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for several weeks, and was able to swiftly pivot from the spectacular program we offer in our brick-and-mortar building to a digital equivalent.
Rashi faculty and staff came together over the past week to launch a vibrant hub of online learning, which we are calling ‘Rashi Online.’ The result has been active, thriving learning each day.
While classrooms and whiteboards may have changed to laptops and living rooms, some parts of Rashi will never change. We continue to maintain a learning community that models our shared core values and ensures that everyone feels connected and cared for.
Kehillah (Community)
Rashi Online has reflected our school value of kehillah, community. We have created spaces for students and teachers to connect with one another, building on the strong connections built over the school year. Lower school students sang their familiar songs and morning greetings during daily morning meetings. Middle schoolers checked in with one another and their faculty teacher in advisory daily. One advisory uses special advisory balls (see picture below). They were virtually thrown, just as they would typically do if we were at school. Each student also got a chance to share what they were feeling, as they began to delve into understanding the nuts and bolts of day.
Parents and students alike have felt the glow of reconnecting with one another and continuing the Rashi academic experience. One parent shared “Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We do not have the words to express our immense gratitude to all of you for what you have done for our children. To hear their teachers’ voices in our homes at 8:30 this morning brought tears to my eyes…It was amazing to see their excitement and engagement with their learning.” Another said, “Teachers, staff and administration rocked the day!! Brought certainty to a very uncertain period of time. Thank you!
Limud (Learning)
While classrooms and whiteboards may have changed to laptops and living rooms, some parts of Rashi will never change. We continue to maintain a learning community that models our shared core values and ensures that everyone feels connected and cared for.
Rashi faculty and staff are skilled educators, and brought creativity and flexibility to digital learning this week. From one-on-one sessions with teachers, to compelling writing prompts, to filling out weather grids virtually, students continued the rigorous and enriching education content from school. Math, social studies, science and more were all taught this week. A Grade 7 Language Arts meet up discussed their take-home essay on the Crucible with their teacher this week. Grade 3 investigated a climate map together. We had Hebrew and Spanish instruction remotely, which continued to engage each of our students.
The thoughtfulness of our community extended beyond core instruction to art, athletics, and our specialists. Our art teacher, Mrs. Smiley, has created lessons for students that they can do from home–from a found object color wheel to drawing 3D hands. And our athletic director, Josh Horowicz sent rainy day fitness ideas, created a school-wide (and faculty/staff) fitness challenge, and is continuing to help us keep active. Specialists including our school psychologist Darcey Angelo have shared resources and opened virtual office hours to connect with parents and students, provide guidance and support, and give insight that their unique vantage point provides.
Our students and families continue to be engaged in their learning, while teaching went virtual, the strength of the Rashi education remained. “You guys are amazing!!! Love seeing my kids so engaged and continue to be able to work with their classmates and teachers!”
Tzedek (Justice)
Social justice is integral to Rashi. From learning about immigration, to racism, to advocating for the planet, justice is embedded into the fabric of our school. Rashi Online continues this value and practice. After giving tzedekah, Grade 1 brainstormed ideas about how tzedekah funds can be used in challenging times to help those in need. Yachad connected Rashi families this week with the school produce purveyor, JW Lopes, asking the community to support the family-owned business in a time of need. Families reached out in support, providing a source of income in the midst of turbulent times.
Kavod (Respect)
Our students displayed kavod (respect) by the ways they were flexible, and adjusted to very difficult changes in circumstances over the past several weeks. They brought energy, enthusiasm, curiosity, and some tech assistance with them each day as a part of Rashi Online. Our faculty and staff were collaborative and innovative, working to create a learning environment for each Rashi student that met their needs. We are lucky to have each of them.
The Middle School Rashi Student Government Leaders were hard at work as Rashi Online launched, collaborating their faculty advisor Joni Fishman to compose an email to offer support and hope to their middle school peers. Following their collaboration an email was sent to their middle school peers, bringing them together and reminding them that they can do it!
Ruach Elohim (Spirit)
It has been a week of trial, error, learning, and growth. And abundant joy and spirit!
One parent had the idea to make Rashi Online t-shirts : “Congrats to all the students and staff for a successful Day #1 RASHI ONLINE! We need T-shirts!”
Check out the videos of our ruach-filled virtual kabbalat shabbat services, from our Middle School Kabbalat Shabbat service led by Rabbi Sharon and Rabbi Micah and our Lower School Kabbalat Shabbat led by Rabbi Jodi and Josh from Jammin With You.
We are privileged to have spent this past week with each of you and your families.