During Bertschi School's temporary closure, check back here for answers to questions, links to resources, and who to contact while our distance learning program is in effect.
(Last updated: Monday, April 6 at 3:15 PM)
Bertschi School, along with many small independent elementary schools, has continued to vigilantly monitor the rapidly evolving outbreak of COVID-19 within the Puget Sound region. Based on a conservative assessment of risk to our immediate Bertschi community, and in consultation with the Board of Trustees, we made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Bertschi School campus effective Monday, March 9. The governor subsequently ordered all schools to close through the end of the 2019-20 school year. Our distance learning program started on Monday, March 16 and will conclude on Friday, June 12, 2020.
The campus is currently closed through the end of the 2019-20 school year.
All in-person events and gatherings are cancelled through the end of the 2019-20 school year. Families in the Bertschi School community will be alerted to any virtual events scheduled in their place.
As shared in earlier correspondence, attached is the list of resources you would need accessible from home to take full advantage of our distance learning program:
If you have any trouble accessing any of these resources and/or need additional support, please contact the Tech Team (Laura and Saul) at [email protected].
Distance learning started on Monday, March 16. All families received an initial communication from Associate Head of School, Teri Barnett, that launched our distance learning program. You then received separate emails from your teachers with specific links, logins, and password information. Students who receive Learning Services support continued and will continue instruction with their Learning Services specialists via Zoom.
In addition to the curriculum shared with your student, parents will continue to receive regular, weekly updates from Rafael and Teri, as well as from teachers, through the Parent Portal on our website.
The state has provided an opportunity for private schools to seek a waiver of the 1,000 hour or 180 day minimum for 2019-20. Bertschi School will seek the waiver, and will continue to support students through June 12 via our distance learning program. It is important that families virtually sign in for participation each week.
It is important that adults provide reassurance to students during this period of uncertainty. Generally, younger children need more reassurance and want to be told that they are safe. Older children are more ready for information and may ask questions. Like adults, children handle information differently: some children need more information to deal with issues, while others worry more if they have a lot of information. Adjust the information you share to your child’s personality and needs, using words they understand.
As part of Bertschi’s distance learning program, both Extended Day and our Mental Health Consultant, Susan Sidman, have provided resources specific to Bertschi kids and families. Additional resources that may be helpful include:
Bertschi School has now been closed for over 14 days with no reported exposures. You no longer need to report illness directly to the school unless it interferes with distance learning. In that case, do alert your teacher as you would with any sick day.
