MacLachlan’s Remote
Learning Approach
This document will outline how MacLachlan will continue to offer a blended learning model, which includes both an Asynchronous Learning…
Communication
and Technology
MacLachlan understands that communication is key during any crisis situation and especially during an extended campus closure and transition…
Holistic Family
Guidelines & Recommendations
Remote Learning involves new structures and routines at home. There is a transition period in which students will require assistance adapting...
Dear MacLachlan Families,
MacLachlan College has always been a supportive and strong community, and during my 28 years as part of this learning environment, we have gone through many situations, but none have been like this current crisis. I am so thankful to the students, parents and staff that came together so quickly during a time of disruption to develop and implement our Remote Learning Plan that allowed us to successfully complete the 2019-2020 school year. Over a short period of time we adjusted to learning, and socializing, within a virtual space. Our students quickly adapted, and excelled, while learning remotely. That fact is in large part to the support that you, our parents, and the dedication of our staff, have provided for our students during the transition.
Inside this document you will find information that explains MacLachlan College’s 2019-2020 Remote Learning Plan. Our plan contained information on the channels and platforms the school used for communication, as well as shared expectations for faculty, families, and students as we all worked together to continue the teaching and learning process remotely.
As the global and local situations continue to progress, we are watching and planning. Whatever scenario plays out, MacLachlan College will continue to provide our students with a full curriculum based program that prepares them for their continued studies.
I again want to thank everyone for being a part of the MacLachlan College community and working with us to foster a positive and engaging learning environment for our students.
Michael Piening,
Head of School
Frequently Asked Questions
We are cautiously optimistic that we will be back on campus in September, but we recognize that social/physical distancing measures will need to be in place in compliance with public health measures. As circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic are very uncertain, our Remote Learning Plan will still be mobilized as a tool/platform to ensure all learning is uninterrupted for the 2020/2021 school year.
Yes, our mix of synchronous (real time) and asynchronous (independent) activities provides students with a full day program.
There are a number of learning, communication and online platforms being utilized at this time including MPAC, Microsoft Teams, OneNote, Seesaw and additional subject specific resources and assessment tools. Detailed schedules are provided weekly to help students and parents plan for the week’s learning commitments and expectations.
Parents have full access to their child’s course information through our MPAC portal.
MacLachlan’s Remote Learning Program is covering all required curriculum and continuing with ongoing assignments and assessments. Students will be moving to their next grade level in September.
MacLachlan believes in open communication and encourages parents to contact their child’s teacher if they have specific questions or requests. In addition to curriculum expectations, teachers are providing many additional resources for all grade levels.
Yes, students will be connected to their classmates. The level of group work will depend on grade level and nature of assignments/lessons. Students will connect with classmates daily through full group and/or smaller group engagement opportunities.
Our IT department is fully accessible and able to guide students and parents with any technical questions they may have.
Assessment is carried out in a variety of ways. Students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through conversations with the teacher and their peers, observations by the teacher and through the products they submit. All of these methods continue to be used during remote learning.
Since students continue learning through our remote program, the school year will not be extended into the summer months. Remote learning classes and final assessments in all grades will conclude on June 12, 2020.
We will not be conducting final examinations in Intermediate Mathematics and Language this year. However, since Grade 9-12 students are earning Ministry of Ontario credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas, they are required to complete a final assessment or summative project which is worth 30% of their final course grade. Subject teachers will be giving students details about how these assessments will be completed in their courses.
In the PYP weekly schedules are posted on MPAC for parents and students to follow. In the Upper School (Grades 7-12) class meetings follow the day cycle and regular class schedule timetable.
Field trips have been cancelled for the remainder of this school year and refunds have been provided where applicable.
Our expectation is that students will attend classes as they would if they were on-campus. However, we also understand that in some instances there may be some additional responsibilities that students are dealing with. We highly recommend that students keep in contact with their teachers and let them know if they are having difficulty attending classes or managing workloads.
Individual teachers will determine the best model for summative projects/final assessments in their courses and communicate timelines and due dates to students in their courses.
During remote learning we are carrying on with curriculum and covering all course expectations so that students will be prepared for their courses next year.
Parents with questions can contact individual teachers at any time during the school year to arrange a meeting to discuss their child.
Our admissions department remains open and is working remotely. Our application process is completely online and remains open and active for the 2020-2021 school year. Please contact admissions@maclachlan.ca Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to offer campus tours but they will resume as soon as MacLachlan has re-opened for visitors.
Roles and Responsibilities During Remote Learning
MacLachlan’s Remote Learning Plan will continue to address, relevant to each division, IB and Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum and learning objectives.
As a small school, MacLachlan allows for significant personal attention to each student. Our son feels very comfortable, safe and supported by the staff as well as his peers. MAC teachers deeply care about each student evidenced by the constant and ongoing availability for support and encouragement. Constructive feedback is clearly communicated and each teacher goes the proverbial extra mile to ensure our son is striving for improvement to reach their potential. As parents, we feel extremely confident that our son is being prepared for a successful future.
– Parent, Grade 10 student
I wanted to say thank you for updating the Edusafe app to include the extra questions. It is great to be part of a school that listens to the parent community’s feedback and is extremely motivated to keep everyone safe. We appreciate everything you are doing for the students!
– Parent, Grades 2 and 4 students
We really enjoyed the broadcast graduation. I shared the link with my entire family in Montreal and it allowed them to tune in. They were delighted to witness the ceremony that under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t have been able. I continue to work to find the positives in this crazy Covid-19 situation. Thank you for your commitment to the growth, development and well being of my two MacLachlan graduates. Our decision to have our kids join your school is among the best decisions we ever made. Both kids grew into curious and smart young adults under your tutelage. They are my favourite people and you and your school community had a big hand in shaping them. Thank you!
– Parent, MacLachlan graduates
So school is finally over and we have a long summer holiday in front of us. Hurray!
When we started remote learning 12 weeks ago it felt like a never-ending story and a very difficult task for at least our family to manage, but the result turned out very different. The growth I’ve seen in our children has been beyond anything we could ever imagine. Responsibility, engagement, structured, confidence, risk-takers, principled, beautiful cooperations with peers to mention a few.
I’d like to send a BIG THANK YOU. I am extremely grateful for your open-minded approach to our suggestions and your willingness to have a conversation about it and take our suggestions into consideration. We think you developed online learning to a very good learning journey for the kids. We loved the end of year celebration you created for the kids, well done!
– Parent, Grades 5 and 6 students
Would you believe after all these years I haven’t removed my name from your email list? It’s a tradition I can’t let go of. Most time I just delete them but the past few weeks I’ve been opening them to see how you’re all coping during this crazy time. Have said all that, I wanted to say “job well done” and kudos to your staff too. Take care and be safe.
It’s an important time in our lives to say thank you to those who are going above and beyond and the staff at MacLachlan definitely fall into that category. We are grateful for the amount of planning that was done prior to the school closing and for the planning that continues in preparation for the re-opening of the school.
Thank you for your ongoing updates. Our kids have definitely settled into a productive online learning schedule. We’ve been very pleased with the efforts and creativity of the teachers to engage the kids and facilitate their learning during this time. Our kids are happy and continue to be challenged, so from our perspective online school is going really well.
We are convinced that MacLachlan College has done the best job of any school that we know of. The staff is fantastic!
We just wanted to say thank you for everything you are doing for the MacLachlan students and for the community during this global crisis. We are proud to be part of the MacLachlan family. Thank you to all of the staff, who have done such a phenomenal job at continuing to educate the students remotely. And thank you to the school as a whole for supporting important causes to help in the fight against this pandemic.
First let us say thank you to you and her teachers for the stellar job you all are doing, to keep her education going. I know it’s challenging because you also have your little ones as well.
You are doing an amazing job with the online learning! I’m so impressed how all of the teachers are really keeping the learning going. A huge thank you!!! I’m sure it’s very difficult for you all to pull it off with you own kids at home too. Thanks again for all your dedication and hard work.
…thank you for your kind efforts to be teaching the children online
Quick note to say thank you for the work you do.
These are definitely interesting times that none of us ever expected. We do understand it’s only been 2 weeks since we’ve been back from “March Break” and everyone is learning and adapting as we go.
We agree that the children are receiving an education above what the standards are in other schools. The benefits of being in a private school!