As we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, I invite everyone to take a deep breath and to think about how we can best support each other during this challenging time.
One way our teachers and staff will be supporting scholars is embedded social emotional learning (SEL). Clay International Academy is committed to providing a holistic education and targeted SEL allows us to cultivate and support scholars cognitively, socially, behaviorally and emotionally. One way we already embed SEL into teaching and learning is through our exploration of the learner profile attributes.
Clay International Academy is committed to developing internationally minded citizens who recognize and embrace a shared humanity and who work to make the world a better place. We want our scholars to be: reflective, balanced, open-minded, knowledgeable, communicators, thinkers, inquirers, caring, risk-takers, and principled. As we begin the school year remotely, I am encouraging everyone to be open-minded and to be risk-takers.
As we lean into our learner attributes, being reflective is essential. In March, our lives were drastically changed, and we tried to adapt quickly to a new normal and eLearning. We learned a lot from eLearning in March, and we are working tirelessly to prepare a rigorous, engaging and inclusive eLearning experience for our scholars. We know that eLearning can be particularly challenging for our younger scholars, especially those who are attending school for the first time. Our teachers and administrative team are planning different ways to support our families remotely. One way you can help us improve support is by completing this parent survey. If you have specific ideas or wonderings, please email me at ngarcia@sbcsc.k12.in.us.
If you are new to Clay International Academy and have not enrolled your child/children, please make sure you do this before August 12th. We will be having onsite enrollments on August 5th from 9:00-1:00 and on August 6th from 3:00-7:00 pm. Please remain in your car, and we will bring you what you need to enroll (only new families need to complete the enrollment). Be sure to bring any documentation with you on this day, as well. You will need to bring: a copy of proof of address, a copy of your child’s birth certificate, a copy of immunization records and copies of dental, vision, and physical exams.
Once the final reopening plan has been approved by the school board on August 3, I will share a detailed plan for how eLearning will look at the start of the year. I appreciate your patience and flexibility during this time of uncertainty.
Blessings,
Dr. Garcia
