Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Dear Families,

We are writing with information about our plans to begin phasing small groups of students back to campus in February. Following this week’s start of in-person Upper School athletic conditioning, students in grades 4 and 12 may return to campus for social-emotional touchpoints on Wednesdays beginning February 24. In subsequent weeks, grades 5 and 6 will be phased in and we are hoping to incorporate grades 7 through 11 after Spring Break, also for social-emotional purposes. For students who are not able to come to campus, online activities will be provided.

As of today, our schedule is:

This schedule is subject to change and could also be impacted by a significant increase in COVID-19 case rates.
*While there is no school on March 3 (formerly All-School Day), we will offer optional sessions for any interested students.
**Lower School sessions on March 24 will follow a different schedule due to Tiger Week.

These 90-minute sessions will be devoted to fun, social interactions and social-emotional learning activities. Our goal is to get our students away from their screens and involved in in-person activities and connecting with each other.  

As per public health guidelines and/or recommendations:

• Students will be assigned to a consistent cohort of no more than 14 students who will meet, as a group, with one or two faculty or staff members.
• Meetings will take place outdoors. In case of rain, students would move indoors to large, ventilated spaces, including the gym and Braun.
• Students will remain physically distanced (min. of 6 ft) and masked at all times while on campus. (Students must bring their own three-ply mask. The school will have a supply should masks become damaged during the day.)
• All participating adults and students must take weekly COVID-19 PCR tests.
  • For students planning to join a cohort on February 24, tests will be offered in the State Street parking lot on Wednesday, February 17, from 2-5 p.m. (Information and forms for on-campus testing will be sent to grades 4 and 12 by Friday, February 12.)
  • Families may also provide PCR test results from other providers the week before (by Friday) a student will be on campus.
• Daily self-screenings of students for COVID-19 symptoms will be required via the MyMedBot app (information to follow).

Detailed information related to symptom self-screening procedures, COVID-19 release forms, program information, campus health and safety procedures, drop-off and pick-up, and more will follow by Tuesday, February 16, from division offices. In addition, we will host online information sessions for parents and students before their return. For the Lower School and grade 12, those will be held:

• Grades 4-6 On-Campus Cohort Information Session: Thursday, February 18, 6:30 pm
• Grade 12 On-Campus Cohort Information Session: Thursday, February 18, 5:30 pm (Zoom links to follow from division offices.)

In the meantime, please refer to this document for additional health and safety information.

To say we are excited to welcome students back to campus is an understatement. We will follow guidance from the Pasadena Public Health Department, returning gradually and deliberately to prioritize health and safety while expanding ways for students to connect with their peers. From last week’s Westridge family survey, we understand that many parents, approximately 80%, are comfortable sending their daughters to campus for outdoor, small-group, and physically distant activities. Between our current cohort plans and athletic conditioning (open to more than 60% of Upper School students), a significant percentage of students will be on campus in the coming weeks. And we are working toward opportunities for all students after Spring Break assuming conditions remain favorable.

We were part of a conversation with Pasadena health officials yesterday, and while they cautioned that we are not out of the woods, they stated there is a chance that we could hit the COVID-19 case rate threshold for grades 3-6 to return to on-campus learning in March. (They anticipate the threshold for a return for grades 7-12 is significantly further out on the horizon.) In the coming weeks, we will communicate with you about the next phase of expanded on-campus opportunities for grades 4-6 that we could roll-out after Spring Break.

Families in grades 4 and 12: please look for more information from your division offices in coming days about social-emotional cohorts. In the meantime, reach out to your division office with any questions.

Families in grades 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11: We are eager to bring back all students for social interactions after Spring Break, and we will update you with information on your grade-level program in March.

We know how extremely challenging this year has been – we look forward to seeing all students in person, and especially to welcoming our new students to campus.

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

Gary Baldwin
Director of Upper School

Zanita Kelly
Director of Lower & Middle School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Families,
 
There has been a great deal of news surrounding return-to-school guidelines in recent days and I wanted to provide an update on what we are working toward at Westridge. Things are changing quickly, and I am now optimistic that we will be able to bring small groups of students to campus before Spring Break and perhaps starting as early as mid- to late-February.
 
Since the pandemic struck, we have had a team dedicated to planning for a return to school. With recent changes in requirements, we are now seeking approval of our Campus Safety Plan, a new and highly detailed requirement of the state. Returning to campus, whenever we are able, will be phased. Our current focus is on social emotional learning activities, and while we are looking to provide this for all grade levels, we will prioritize the 4th and 12th grades in our planning.
 
I hope to have additional information on what the initial phases of a return to campus will look like and more information on timing for you by February 10. To aid in our planning, we will send all parents a survey early next week and would appreciate your prompt reply.
 
I can share some good news today: Upper School Fall Sports student athletes will return to Westridge beginning February 8 for conditioning with Spring Sports athletes joining when their seasons begin later in February and in March. This is a big step for our community – our first students on campus since March. We are thrilled to bring students together and will take this opportunity to finetune the many safety procedures we have put in place before additional student groups return.
 
I know many of our families are eager for students to be back at Westridge. We hear you and want that as well – I am so excited at the thought of seeing our girls on campus. We will remain deliberate in our approach to ensure that any return is done keeping our students and faculty as safe as possible. I do, however, believe that the start of bringing students back to campus is, thankfully, on our horizon. I will keep you abreast of new information we receive and updates in our planning as they become available.
 
Sincerely,
 
Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School
 

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Students and Parents,
 
In my last update I reported that November would be the earliest we would return to campus for hybrid learning. Now, with November rapidly approaching, LA County still in Tier-1 (purple) COVID-19 status with cases increasing, and the school return waiver program still only applicable to TK-2 programs, we anticipate our earliest return will be the beginning of the second semester in late January. I had so hoped to deliver better news in this month’s update, but based on the information above, my recent meeting with the Pasadena Department of Health, and upcoming holiday breaks, January is the most realistic scenario at the current moment.
 
We were asked at a recent town hall meeting if we would make changes to our program should our return be delayed. At the broadest level, the answer to that question is no, because we are delivering the best program we can based on current knowledge on remote learning and the needs of our student population. However, we are evaluating and evolving the program continuously based on student, faculty, and parent feedback. With that said, we understand that the attention we pay to our students’ social emotional wellness during remote learning will be increasingly important, as will continuing efforts to foster student engagement in learning while managing screen time.
 
Our teachers are looking for signs of students who are struggling academically or emotionally in this environment, and they are talking to each other, to our counselors, and to parents when they believe a student needs extra support. This will continue and we encourage students to reach out to teachers, deans, or counselors for any kind of help, and for parents to email division directors with any concerns.
 
Additionally, as remote learning extends for a longer period of time, we are looking at possible ways to offer some in-person, physically distanced social touchpoints. These would need to be approved by the Pasadena Health Department and it will take some time to determine what if anything is possible. However, last week I signed a letter from a group of LA area independent schools to Dr. Ferrer and the LA County Department of Public Health asking for greater clarity on requirements for, and greater latitude in, bringing groups of students to campus for activities.
 
We will keep you posted of any updates. In the meantime, please take this brief survey to help us continue to refine and gain feedback on our remote learning program:

STUDENT SURVEY

PARENT SURVEY

I am disheartened that we are not able to return in the immediate future. I know this is difficult and tiring for students and families alike, but I do hope it is helpful to have a timeframe to plan for. I thank all of you for coming together to support Westridge and our students during this time. I thank our teachers for their tireless efforts to continue deep learning in this challenging environment. And I especially thank our students for helping each other and their teachers and for leaning into remote learning.

If you have any questions at all, please reach out. We are all here for you.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

I am sure many of you have heard that in early October LA County will begin to accept waivers for some schools to return to limited in-person learning. While this is great news, I know there has been some confusion regarding the details of this announcement and I wanted to provide an update received by members of our COVID-19 team who sat in on a  briefing with Dr. Barbara Ferrer and other health officials from the County last evening.

Waiver applications will be accepted from grades K-2 programs only beginning October 5 and will take two weeks to process. The County plans to grant waivers for up to thirty K-2 schools per week, prioritizing schools that serve low-income students who have been the most disadvantaged by remote learning. In the call, and in comments in the LA Times, officials have noted a shift in the County's readiness to begin opening schools. However, County officials continue to stress that they will be cautious in their approach and plan to learn from schools that open early.

Based on yesterday’s teleconference with the County, I think the outlook for schools with upper elementary, middle, and high school programs is likely further out than early November, which is what we had previously expected. However, we continue to ready the school and refine our safety protocols based on the most current guidelines, and to monitor all updates from health officials so that we will be ready to return when it is safe to do so.

We are working on information updates for hybrid learning but our initial document remains a solid guide. In the meantime, please reach out to your division director with any questions regarding remote learning and our plans for returning to campus when we are able.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

I write after the first two weeks of classes in this fall of remote learning. Through conversations at a number of virtual coffees, back-to-school meetings, and in emails and individual conversations, we have heard rather consistently that students and parents feel the positive impact of the work, training, and changes that were made over the summer to our schedule and online pedagogy. In addition to academic improvements, the reinstatement of so many of our co-curricular programs and opportunities for social touchpoints, such as assemblies, class meetings, clubs, daily advisory check-ins in the upper divisions, and an after school program, have been welcome additions. These additions to our co-curricular programs are particularly valuable for the social and emotional health and development of our students.

We are so pleased that things are going well, but we also acknowledge that the COVID-19 world in which we are currently living is still not close to normal. We will continue to refine and improve what we are doing, including monitoring screen time and preparing for possible adjustments if determined to be needed.

Our teachers and advisors are seeking feedback daily from students about what is working for them and what they can change. I encourage you to reach out to them or your daughter’s division director should you have any questions. After we have a few more weeks behind us, we will send out a remote learning survey to gather more formal feedback.

RETURNING TO CAMPUS

The most common questions we are receiving are about when we think we will return to campus, what that will look like, and what safety measures we will have in place. At the end of last week, a telebriefing for educators by the LA County Department of Health gave us the most definitive guidance to date on a possible return to school – that schools will not return to on-campus, hybrid learning until November at the earliest and that the County does not intend to open up waivers for TK-6 programs to return before that time.

Though disappointing, I think this concrete knowledge will be helpful for all of us. It provides more certainty for students and adults alike, mentally and emotionally, so that we do not continue to look for a change in status each week. Here is a link to an LA Times story on the telebriefing where this information was released.

We haven’t provided updated information on specific plans for our return to school because they continue to change weekly based on state and local health department regulations and will continue to do so. Especially now that we know we are at least six-to-seven weeks away from any change of status, I will continue to refer you to the general information we provided in July. Rest assured that we have a team that cuts across all departments of the school, working daily to prepare for our return to campus, and we will be ready to welcome students back when it is safe to do so. 

OTHER SCHOOL PRIORITIES

Along with our ongoing work to provide the best remote learning program possible and prepare for our return to campus, this fall the school’s top priorities are:

• Social emotional wellness. This is a top focus of our strategic plan but takes on heightened importance as we consider the unique needs of supporting students through the social isolation and life changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope you will be able to join your division-level meeting with members of our student support team on the topic of “Supporting Students During Remote Learning.”
  • Lower School Parent Training - Thursday, September 17
  • Middle School Parent Training - Monday, September 21
  • (The Upper School meeting was held September 14.)

• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI). This is also one of the major areas of focus of our strategic plan, and our ongoing conversations with Black and African American alumnae, students, families, and faculty and staff are informing, changing, and helping us prioritize and bring a greater urgency to our work. One critical impact of our conversations is the reframing of our thinking about equity and inclusion to focus on systemic racism and anti-racism. We will present a more comprehensive report of work in progress, additional resources, and plans for the future at the September 29 WPA meeting, as well as in further communications, but I want to provide a few updates here:
  • All faculty and staff participated in anti-bias training in the summer and many engaged in additional research and discussion related to anti-racism. This will be continued throughout the year.
  • Internal department discussions on curriculum review have begun. Internal work will be supplemented with outside experts who will provide guidance and external perspective into areas of bias and lack of diverse perspectives.
  • Anti-racist education and information about microaggressions are being more fully incorporated into the Lower School Council program and the Middle School Human Development program this fall. Upper School faculty are engaged in ongoing review and revision. This work across all divisions will continue throughout the year. Parent education efforts have been similarly focused. For example, many of our families participated in a community discussion this summer on anti-racism and have been taking part in our Community Read of Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD. (Please join us for the final discussion on October 12 at 6:30 pm.)
  • An outside firm is helping us analyze school data this fall, ranging from course placement and discipline to grades and comments, to uncover gaps, inconsistencies, and biases in our program.
  • A DEI Oversight Committee will be in place by the end of October, led by representatives of our different leadership groups on campus, including members of our board of trustees, alumnae and parent communities, Faculty and Staff DEI Task Force, and Student Voices.
  • We are re-evaluating the structure of our parent-led committee focused on DEI to ensure that the current needs of our families are supported and included.

Thank you for your support of all of us and especially our faculty as together we work through this difficult period of remote learning to provide the academic excellence you have come to expect, as well as provide social and emotional support for your daughters. Though less frequent than normal, my interactions with our students are the highlight of my day and a reminder of the importance of this special school and community. As always, my virtual door is open to you.

Surgere Tentamus!

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

With Friday's announcement from Governor Newsom and L.A. County confirming that we will start the new school year in remote learning mode, we'd like to make sure that you have more information about the daily schedule for our students — see links below to our remote learning schedules.

Each day will begin with Homeroom (Lower School) or Advisory (Middle and Upper School). On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, this opening meeting will be followed by four class blocks, ending at 2:45 pm (Lower School) or 3:10 pm (Middle and Upper School). Wednesdays will be devoted to community building and co-curricular activities and social emotional learning programs (clubs, assemblies, peer tutoring programs, etc.) as well as conferencing with teachers one-on-one and time for students to work on class assignments. On Wednesdays, school will end at 1:30 pm for the Lower and Middle School and 1 pm for the Upper School.

Please note: schedules will remain the same when we are able to shift to hybrid learning (partially remote and partially in-person). Based on current safety guidelines, our hope in the hybrid learning format is to have students in grades 4-7 on campus full-time, Monday through Friday. For grades 8-12, classes will be held on campus Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with a subset of students rotating to remote learning each day (interacting with the same program, but connecting to it from home). All students in grades 8-12 would be remote on Wednesdays for virtual assemblies, meetings etc. The school will use this time for expanded cleaning of all facilities.

Click the links below for 2020-2021 remote learning schedules:

4th Grade Schedule

5th Grade Schedule

6th Grade Schedule

Middle School Schedule

Upper School Schedule

You may have heard that the state has opened up the potential of waivers for in-person learning for grades TK-6. We are monitoring the situation and will keep you apprised. 

More information on our remote learning program will follow in early August. Please reach out to your division director or division deans with any questions in the meantime. Please note that we are conducting system maintenance Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26 and we may not have ready access to email during that period.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

As you have likely heard, today Governor Newsom announced schools in counties on (or recently removed from) the state's COVID-19 Monitoring List may not return to in-person learning. (Click here for the state's school reopening plan.) Following the Governor's press conference, the LA County Department of Public Health stated that it will issue an order to adhere to the Governor's directive that schools cannot resume in-person learning next month.

Though we anticipated that this day might ultimately come, it is still disheartening to hear this definitive decision. However, because of the work we have undertaken since the spring, we are prepared to open school remotely with a full, robust, and challenging program for our students. We also have plans and protocols in place that will allow us to shift to a hybrid approach (combination of in-person and remote learning) as soon as it is safe to do so, and when this is the case, we will ensure that we provide you with two weeks' notice.

As mentioned in our update last week, many elements of our remote learning program have been modified from the spring including:

• A longer daily schedule than in the spring that is more reflective of a traditional school day:
  • Lower School will begin at 8 am and end at 2:45 pm most days.
  • Middle and Upper School will begin at 8:30 am and end at 3:10 pm most days.
• Streamlined schedule (no rotating blocks) that will remain the same whether in full remote or hybrid learning.
• A teaching model in which classes will typically lead off with a class check-in followed by a mix of synchronous group learning, collaborative activities, and individual student work time. 
• Explicit instruction for students on how asynchronous time should be used.
• Streamlined and more consistent posting of information and assignments.
• Reintroduction of letter grades for Middle and Upper School.
• Advisory daily in Middle and Upper School (daily homeroom will continue in Lower School).

We are finalizing a formal overview of our remote learning plan. We hope to have that ready for you by the first days of August, and we will provide the remote learning daily schedules next week. In addition, we will schedule Town Hall meetings on Zoom for the first half of August to provide parents with a forum to ask questions about the reopening of school and our remote learning plans.

In the meantime, we continue to refine our program and pedagogy and develop our skills and readiness for remote and hybrid learning. Our faculty are all engaged in professional development on remote teaching and curriculum development. Our students will all take part in our Remote Learning Readiness program. (This has started for new students in the Middle and Upper School and will be available for returning students beginning July 29. The Lower School program runs August 4-7.)

Again, we will have many details to share with you in early August, including community building and social experiences within and outside of class. We know that remote learning might be especially daunting for students new to Westridge and so we are also developing activities to help them connect with their peers as authentically as possible before we can be together in person.

Thank you for your continued support and input. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the head of school or to your division directors.

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

Richard C. Fung
Chair, Board of Trustees

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families and Students,

Things felt much different just two weeks ago when I touched base regarding the resumption of school and said I would get back to you with more information today. I know we are all following the news of the increasing spread of COVID-19 in L.A. County and I am sure that most of you have heard today's announcement that Los Angeles Unified School District will not return to in-person learning at the start of its school year.

Though we await a final decision from local health authorities, the possibility of beginning our new school year in remote learning appears more and more likely. Because of that, I think it is important to prepare students for the possibility of a remote start to the school year.

With that said, we continue to plan for the possibility of both remote learning and on-campus learning. We believe students, and younger students in particular, will benefit on numerous levels from being together with their peers and teachers on campus. As such, we will be prepared for on-campus learning whenever it is determined this can be accomplished safely. Accounting for our campus capacity amid physical distancing guidelines, we would put in place a hybrid learning model for students in grades 8-12 with periods of on-campus learning and periods of remote learning.

We also will be ready with a strong remote learning program. With time to plan, undertake faculty professional development on remote learning practices, and ensure that students have the tools that they need, we are in a different landscape than we were in the spring. Numerous aspects of our remote learning program, policies, and pedagogy will be modified based on best practices, community feedback, and learning at Westridge and in the broader educational community during the spring semester. These changes include letter grades for Middle and Upper School students and a longer school day than in the spring.

This overview provides some additional details on changes to our remote learning program and an overview of health and safety protocols and our planned hybrid learning approach. It is not yet comprehensive and is subject to change, but it will give you a good idea of what to expect when we are able to have students on campus. I do also want to make it clear that at anytime when we are in hybrid learning mode, students not ready to return to campus will have remote access to our full program.

We will keep you updated as we receive more guidance from public health officials or make significant changes to our planning. If not before, we will provide another update by the end of the month. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or your division director.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

At the close of school I told you that we planned to have an outline of the shape of our program and schedule for the start of school by July 1. Unfortunately, that information is going to be delayed by perhaps a few weeks. We are still actively modeling alternatives for a return to campus so that we can be flexible as the situation continues to change and we have some important meetings with health officials in coming days. If not before, I will update you on our plans by July 13.

To help inform our modeling, we ask that you take a few minutes to answer a brief survey regarding a return to campus in August. Your insights will be helpful in our work determining the safest and most effective return to school for our community.

Thank you for your patience. I know so many aspects of families' lives remain in limbo as local and state officials and educational communities work to determine the safest and best educational options for students in this ongoing crisis. We will be in touch as soon as possible and please reach out to me or your division director if we may answer any questions in the meantime.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Please click here to read the message in its entirety.

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Parents and Students,

I am writing today to formally announce that Westridge will remain in remote learning for the remainder of this school year. Though most people I have spoken with have assumed this would ultimately be the case, I know for many it will still be difficult to hear this final decision. I know it was for me.

We delayed making a formal announcement earlier in the hope that we might be able to gather for at least a few weeks at the end of the semester. However, with stay-at-home measures in place through at least the middle of May, and state and local officials talking of school campus closures at least until July or August, I think it will help us all to have a concrete picture of what the remainder of the year will bring. It will also allow faculty and staff to finalize plans for virtual year-end projects and events.

We are proud of our students. Though disappointed and sad and living through a historically tumultuous period, they have worked hard to adapt to remote learning and stay focused. And through it all, they have supported their friends and exhibited the kindness and compassion that says so much about our student body. Indeed, in last week's survey along with offering helpful insights, students took the time to call out their teachers for working extraordinarily hard on their behalf, both in the virtual learning environment and in providing personal support. Later this week, as we continue to hone our efforts based on the experience of the past seven weeks and reflect on parent and student survey responses, I will provide information about what we have gleaned as well as the ways in which we will continue to evolve our remote learning program.

I know that you also have questions about what school will look like in the fall. As you can imagine that decision will be contingent on many things outside of our control and we continue to monitor updates from state and local government and health officials. Right now, we are anticipating that we will be back on campus, but we are planning for a number of scenarios, ranging from being back on campus with measures in place that create more social distance and modifications in the way that we gather (impacting assemblies, the way the dining commons distributes food, the way we work with students who are not feeling well, etc.), to hybrid models that see us on campus at times and conducting learning remotely at others, to continuing in remote learning mode (enhanced by lessons learned and opportunities for faculty and staff to gain additional training over the summer related to delivering remote and blended learning). Our top consideration with any scenario, will be the health and safety of our students and our employees.

Before ending this message, I think it is important to call out the work of our teachers – especially this week, during Teacher Appreciation Week. In the matter of days, they too had to adapt to a different model of working and caring for students while dealing with all that the pandemic meant in terms of juggling family and personal loss. Working harder than ever before, they had to turn immediately to remote learning, seeking to make the student experience as meaningful as possible and learning a great deal themselves along the way.

I look forward to providing more details about our plans for end-of-year events and what next year will look like as soon as details are finalized. I'm particularly conscious of the need to create community and celebration for our seniors and their families and hope that the efforts already undertaken (roses for senior athletes, yard signs announcing that students are 2020 Westridge graduates, remote lunch with the college counseling team to muse on the places they will go (with appreciation to Dr. Seuss), and other events, will allow them to complete this year with a sense of belonging and hope.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from the Westridge Administration

Dear Westridge Families,

As Westridge School continues to engage in remote learning and prepares for the possibility of doing so through the end of the semester, the administration has determined that all second semester student coursework will be assessed as pass/fail. This decision is supported by division directors and department chairs, the Board of Trustees, and the college counseling team. Considerable research was conducted because of the importance and complexity of this issue in these unprecedented times. We believe strongly that due to the combination of the significant changes to the circumstances and nature of learning, as well as the toll and stress of the current crisis on our students, we need to focus on how to foster academic excellence while:

• promoting student social and emotional wellbeing as our girls confront great change, social isolation, and the fear of potential ill-health and loss within their community and family,
• reducing the real possibility for a drop off in students' typical academic performance due to both stress and the massive changes they are experiencing in life and school, and
• promoting equity in academic opportunity across a wide range of remote learning situations, especially as families experience this crisis in very different ways.

Our teachers are confident they can provide challenge and promote student growth within a pass/fail system, and that our students will respond to the challenge and apply themselves to learning. Indeed, our teachers believe this will provide students with an opportunity to experiment and take risks in new ways that will influence them as thinkers and learners while alleviating unnecessary pressure. With this knowledge, we were convinced the move to pass/fail was the right thing for our students in absolute terms. But what allowed us to make the final decision was the consistent feedback we received from colleges and universities of all types – pass/fail grades during this crisis (a crisis that is impacting the education of virtually all students in the United States and the world), will not jeopardize college admissions.

We know you, like all parents today, are worried about the impact of remote learning on your daughters' education – a poll in the Los Angeles Times this week revealed that 89 percent of parents have this fear. This is understandable. Everything is new with our world, and the world of education is changing overnight. And we know that it is difficult for parents to "see" what their girls are doing in this virtual school of sorts. We are in early days – just two weeks in, although it feels longer – so we are still honing best practices and making changes. But we can tell you that we are hearing and seeing incredible examples of teaching and learning. We will make sure your daughters are prepared for what's next and instituting pass/fail grading is an important part of that. It will allow our students to engage as deeply as they can in their learning, will still allow them to demonstrate their strengths, and importantly, will allow Westridge to provide them with necessary care and support.

Below you will find some additional detail regarding the thinking behind our decision and our process for assessments this semester. Next week we will host grade-level Town Hall meetings with the division directors where you may have your questions answered (details of these meetings can be found in the April 9 Westridge Weekly email). In the meantime, feel free email to us.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School
emcgregor@westridge.org

Gary Baldwin
Director of Upper School
gbaldwin@westridge.org

Zanita Kelly
Director of Lower & Middle School
zkelly@westridge.org

Academic Opportunity and Assessment during the Pandemic: Colleges and universities around the country, from Ivy League Schools and small liberal arts colleges to major research institutions and the University of California system, have stated that going to pass/fail will NOT jeopardize students' options (many have also chosen to adopt pass/fail at this time themselves). Our college counselors have been in correspondence with many admission directors who have provided guidance and reassurance on this matter, including the fact that our students will not be unfairly judged against students whose schools choose to continue with grades. Of note, numerous other independent schools and school districts across the nation are also shifting to pass/fail grading and colleges are preparing for transcripts that include these marks.

In addition, due to the direct relationship of our college counseling office with institutions of higher learning and the patterns of success of Westridge alumnae at hundreds of these institutions, the quality of Westridge students is well known across North America and other parts of the world and the insights and recommendations we provide for our students are trusted. Narrative recommendations provided for students by Westridge will be substantive and directly address the current situation. Teachers and counselors will address how our students responded to the challenge of remote learning, reflecting on important skills and qualities that higher education institutions and the business world are seeking, including problem solving, collaboration, flexibility, responsibility for self, a growth mindset, intrinsic motivation, and the ability to cope in the face of significant challenge.

Teachers will provide clear guidance as to what constitutes a pass, and a fail, and as always, with any student who is struggling academically, advisors and teachers will reach out to students to determine how to provide support and encouragement.

In the Upper School, grades for the first semester are already recorded on the transcript and marks for the second semester will be recorded as a P or an F. In lieu of the traditional mid-semester comments, teachers will email a progress report for each student detailing their individual progress between now and May 1. Additionally, teachers will write full summative comments at the end of the school year.

In the Middle School, in lieu of the traditional mid-semester comments, teachers will email a progress report for each student detailing their individual progress between April 27 and May 8. Additionally, all teachers will write full summative comments at the end of the school year.

Lower School families can expect to receive a narrative report covering student progress from the third quarter through the end of the month of April. The narrative reports will look much like the traditional report card comments from each of their courses.

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Over the weeks of our school closure the vibrant and meaningful life of our school has become palpable in its absence. The greetings in drop-off line. The shared lunches. The impromptu study sessions in the library. The club meetings. Students raising their voices when celebrating a friend. Students dropping into my office to let me know what they think could be done better or just as often to catch up. These moments and so many more. We always knew the importance of this more ephemeral part of Westridge and in so many conversations with parents and faculty we have wondered what to call this. The things that fill the air we breathe and comprise the spirit of Westridge. That create a culture. That are so central to the lives of our students, and indeed, our whole community.

We are missing these things, but they are coming back online (literally and figuratively) as we continue to roll out our remote learning. They are more diffuse, because in our school without walls we don’t soak in the experiences that happen around us like we do when we walk through campus and see girls playing the cello on the quad, walking across campus reading, or reaching for the microphone for the first time at an Upper School Town Meeting.

The Black Student Union shared lunch this week. Lower and Middle School student leaders are meeting weekly. Students in Peer 2 Peer and the Writing Lab are reaching out to see who needs their help this week. And seniors are reaching out to Mr. Baldwin with their suggestions on how to improve their remote learning experience (of course they are! As Westridge changes girls so girls change Westridge!). Our campus may be closed, but the life of our school has not stopped.

I know we are all craving connection. Making sure our students remain connected in the human rather than the online sense is a top priority for us. I think more of this is happening than any of us know, but since we can’t walk the halls like normal, a lot of it happens out of sight. But we won’t assume this – we will work to make sure it is happening. Likewise, we are working hard to sort out our calendar of events and re-imagining them so that we can bring life, tradition, and celebration to our students. We know our students and parents are eager for this information and the updated calendar information we have to date is provided in the Announcements section of today’s Westridge Weekly email. We will provide specific event details as soon as we can – a lot of different people are working on these events and in many cases we are in conversations with the students involved to learn what they would like to see happen. We are especially sensitive to the importance of these next few months for our seniors. Our team of deans, advisors, and college counselors are pouring their hearts into making this time special and are planning for a month of Friday events for our seniors. We will find many other ways to celebrate them as well.

And so – on this rainy Thursday before Easter Weekend, I want to tell you something I am sure you know: I miss you and your daughters and the normal life of our school. But I am so proud of this community and how it is coming together on behalf of our girls. I know things aren’t always happening as quickly as you would like, but when you reach out to ask us your questions and to let us know what your daughters’ lived experience of remote learning is from your viewpoint, we are lifted by the sense that we are all working on this together.

Thank you.

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

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Dear Westridge Families,

When our campus closed on March 13, we did not yet understand the potential reach or duration of the COVID-19 crisis. Under these extraordinary circumstances, we have been heartened by how our families, students, faculty, staff, and trustees have rallied behind our students to ensure the continuation of their education.

We are fortunate not only to offer our educational program remotely, but also to maintain our commitment to academic excellence, social emotional learning, and direct student support from our advisors, deans, psychologist, and college counselors. These hallmarks of the Westridge experience have always been foundational to our students' academic success and wellbeing and are even more important today as they struggle to process a worldwide health crisis and social isolation. Though the methods and pace of learning may be different than in our on-campus program, serious and creative academic and personal growth is happening in "Westridge Without Walls." Our students and teachers have embraced the spirit of remote learning, and our faculty members and technology team continue to work countless additional hours to adapt and refine their programs and provide extra support to students and parents through this adjustment period. As we look for goodness around us, the community embrace of our girls and their education shines brightly. Thank you for standing with us as we work to deliver on our promise to our students.

In addition to the rapid restructuring of our program, the administration and Board of Trustees have been working on the financial aspects of school operations. We write today to share information on the financial position of the school and how Westridge can support those families who are experiencing significant immediate impact from the economic shutdown. The two are intertwined, and we want you to know that as we make decisions to maintain the financial sustainability of the school, we are very conscious of the need to do so while seeking to help our families in need through this crisis.

Currently, the school is in a stable place financially and in a markedly better position than in the recession of 2008, from which we learned a great deal. Your philanthropic support over the years, and that of generations of families and benefactors, helped build Westridge into the school it is today and made it possible for us to respond swiftly and strongly to this crisis. However, we are experiencing an understandable but significant decrease in donations and an increased need for financial aid. We anticipate this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future. In addition, our core expenses have not changed. Remote learning is made possible through the continued devotion, and greatly expanded work, of our talented faculty. As you may be aware, their salaries and benefits comprise the single largest budget item at Westridge. And salaries for all Westridge employees continue as we support a broad educational program remotely. At the same time, our physical facilities have to be maintained in a ready state to welcome back our students as soon as it is safe to do so.

Some of the actions we are taking to ease the financial burden on families and school operations are:

1. Financial Aid Program. Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, we have received an increase in requests from families who receive financial assistance. We are trying to meet the increased need through an allocation from our operating reserves. These funds are limited and are subject to the same criteria and process as all financial aid program funding.
2. Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). TAP is a temporary tuition support program that is being created with operating reserve funds to help families who do not qualify for financial aid but are facing significant income cuts or job loss due to COVID-19 that impact their ability to make tuition payments in the near term. Awards under TAP are considered one-time hardship grants as funding is limited to the 2020-2021 school year. To apply, please complete the modified FAST financial aid application, which can be found in the parent portal. In addition to the financial information requested, please include a description of your reduced income or job loss as a result of COVID-19 in the family letter, and upload your employer notification of same, if applicable. Completion of school specific questions is not required. If you have questions or need assistance, please email our financial controller, Kim Cota, at KCota@westridge.org.
3. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"). We are in the process of applying for a short-term loan established by the CARES Act to cover payroll and benefits for two months. If received, this loan would buy us a little time for payroll protection making it possible to ease up on the tuition payment schedule or absorb loss of tuition through attrition while protecting the livelihood of our faculty and staff.
4. 10-Payment Plan Extension. If you are on the 10-payment plan and need an extension on your monthly payments which begin in May 2020, please email Kim Cota. If you can begin making your payments in May that would be appreciated greatly because these payments are critical to meeting the school's cash flow needs.

On a related positive note, next week we will begin processing refunds/credits for Interim trips and identifying other areas of refund from canceled activities due to school closure.

If you would like to discuss any of the assistance programs noted above, please email Kim Cota at KCota@westridge.org. If you have other financial questions or thoughts you would like to discuss, please email Chief Finance and Operations Officer Kendis Heffley at KHeffley@westridge.org.

Thank you for your partnership and support in these difficult times. It is only through the combined dedication of our community, parent volunteers, and Westridge faculty and staff that we are able to provide a meaningful experience for our students. Please let us know if we can support your family through financial, academic, or social emotional support programs. For your more general academic questions, our division directors will host a series of online townhall meetings for parents next week, details of which will follow shortly (alternatively, please don't hesitate to reach out to them directly via email). We want you to have a clear understanding of and confidence in your daughters' remote learning experience and hope these "face-to-face" forums will help as we all struggle to manage the heightened flow of electronic communications in our lives right now.

May your families remain safe and well.

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

Richard C. Fung
Chair, Board of Trustees

An Update from Director of Athletics Melanie Horn

Hello Tigers!

I hope your first week of online learning has gone well and you've been able to find time to work-out as well as have fun at home. For those of you who know my puppy, Maverick (he'll be two April 11), he's had a great time getting extra agility practice in the back yard!

Sadly, we've learned through CIF that Spring Sports championships have been canceled for the 2020 season. While it breaks my heart to communicate this to you, I realize it is the right thing to do as safety must always come first. CIF-Southern Section Commissioner, Rob Wigod, released this statement yesterday: https://cifss.org/news/a-message-of-hope/.

I have been in meetings with the Prep League AD's and should we be able to return prior to the end of the school year, we may be able to have an end of the year tournament or meet. Obviously, we cannot make any plans as of yet. On the bright side, there's been discussion about virtual competition with other Prep League schools. If you have any ideas of an online game (that maybe the Tigers know well) please email me. I can't think of anything more fun than a chance to beat the Panthers or Cubs 😉

For Physical Education credit please complete this form weekly: https://forms.gle/YPFLX9QfJF84yc2h6

Also, check your team's Padlet page as coaches are continuing to add new content

Lacrosse - https://padlet.com/edtechuser/Westridgelacrosse2020

Softball - https://padlet.com/edtechuser/westridgesoftball2020

Swimming & Diving - https://padlet.com/edtechuser/Westridgeswimming2020

Track & Field - https://padlet.com/edtechuser/westridgetrackandfield2020

Be safe. Be well.

Go Tigers!!!

Coach Horn

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

After writing about cancellations over the past two weeks, today I write about the return to learning for Westridge students on Monday. This brings me great joy. I think for all of us, reinstating a routine and getting students engaged in schoolwork will provide comfort and purpose during our uncertain times.

Remote learning will not be without challenges, although peer schools that have been holding classes for the past few weeks report that the challenges are greater for parents than for students. Our girls are quite comfortable working with many of the learning tools we will use to facilitate remote learning. With that said, to make this a successful time of learning for our students and a manageable experience for our students and families, we need to have reasonable and clear expectations for remote learning and be patient and flexible with ourselves and others, understanding this is new and we are all in this together. Importantly, we must have early and open communication between students and adults (teachers and parents) and between families and the school regarding expectations and how things are working on the ground.

We embark on this venture with several guiding principles:

Remote learning does not replicate in-class experiences, nor should it. Remote learning is its own experience, with its own opportunities and its own challenges. It is important to have a variety of methodologies – asynchronous (self-paced) as well as synchronous (live) – for students to have the most meaningful educational experience and to retain knowledge most effectively.

Remote learning does not happen exclusively on computers or other devices. Your daughter will not be in front of a screen all day. Learning approaches will be varied and often centered around assignments or activities to do offline.

There will be a learning curve for students, faculty, and parents. There will naturally be some highs and lows along the way, but learning from challenges is an important and valuable component of education. It will be important to keep this in mind in the coming weeks and remember what we tell our girls – learning can be messy, let go of perfectionism, and embrace a growth mindset.

Less is more (especially in the beginning). In these unusual learning circumstances and at a time when students are likely still finding their footing at home and with their studies, our goal is not to march through a traditional curriculum or fill our students' days. Our goal is to focus on what is essential learning for this semester and how that can best be accomplished remotely, and on creating authentic, engaging learning opportunities for our girls.

Check in. Check in. Check in. Teachers will be checking in with students frequently, through a variety of methods including emails, video chats, and checking work and discussion board entries. Student acclimation to remote learning will vary due to its atypical format and the range of emotions young people are experiencing about what is happening in the world today. Please check in with your daughter regularly to see how she is feeling about remote learning, her work for the day, and what support she needs. If you feel your daughter needs help adjusting to remote learning, please reach out to her advisor or homeroom teacher early so that we may provide resources for support. Please understand, however, that our faculty and division directors may not be able to respond immediately but will make every effort to respond in a timely manner during working hours.

In addition to checking in with your daughter, what should your role be during remote learning? Like you, I've seen the posts and memes about parents "home schooling" their children. They are both hilarious and cautionary. But it is important to keep in mind that you are not being asked to home school your daughters. Thankfully, our incredible teachers still will be handling the official "schooling." Instead, we ask you to be more of a coach, providing structure and support, and ensuring that teachers and administrators are aware of any special assistance your daughter might need. We particularly recommend that you:

• Work with your daughter to establish her remote learning routine and ensure that it is maintained. There is an article with good tips for this posted on the Remote Learning hub.
• Set up a physical location, if possible, that is suited for an extended period of remote learning.
• Check in. I mentioned this above but would recommend regular formal check-ins, maybe twice a day, in the morning and at the end of the school day. Depending on your daughter and her age, there may be many other touchpoints, but a routine of the beginning and end-of-day check-ins will be helpful in gauging the bigger picture.
• Make sure your daughter takes breaks during her classes and study time, engages in physical activity each day, and gets plenty of sleep.
• Keep an eye on screen time. There isn't a hard and fast rule of thumb on this. But as girls begin their remote courses in addition to using technology to maintain their very important social connections, it will be important to ensure they are having meaningful engagements and pursuits off screens as well.

We realize that life is tremendously stressful right now and that many of our families will be balancing at-home school, work, childcare, and support for other relatives and friends. Know that there will be frustrations but that you are not in this alone. We are here to support you and your family through this time of remote learning. If you are feeling overwhelmed or in need of guidance on how to support your daughter, please contact your division director.

A few notes about what to expect next week, Week 1 of remote learning:

• If not before, by Sunday evening students will receive messages from their teachers providing information on how remote learning will work for their classes – many of these emails have gone out already. In the Middle and Upper School, advisors will also send an email explaining how advisory will work for the foreseeable future.
• Monday by 10 am, all students should log into Finalsite where teachers will have posted assignments for the coming week. (Students need to check Finalsite each school day by 10 am.)
• All work during this first week will be self-paced, meaning classes won't meet or work together. Students will work independently based on assignments and instructions in Finalsite. They will have access to their teachers for any questions during online office hours, which will take place during scheduled class times (divisional schedules can be found on the Remote Learning hub) and as posted by individual teachers. Synchronous or live learning will be phased in beginning Week 2.
• Students should be able to work independently or with the help of classmates in most instances. As is always the case, please do not do the work for your daughter, but rather assist by asking appropriate questions, guiding her to resources, or suggesting that she connect with her teachers.

We have developed an FAQ with additional information. It is posted on our Remote Learning hub (www.westridge.org/remotelearning) and will be updated as the days and weeks progress. While we are trying to anticipate your questions and our students' needs, in many regards we will be learning together and importantly, the reality of remote learning will be different for each of our students and families. Communication will be key, so on this page we have also posted a grid of who you should contact for different questions (e.g. technology help, student support, classwork issues).

I know there are questions about upcoming school activities and traditions, for example, the junior ring ceremony that had been scheduled for Friday, April 3. We are committed to maintaining the important cultural and social elements of school whenever possible, especially for our seniors, even in re-imagined forms. As classes are established, we will have more information for you regarding these aspects of our program.

Until then, please remember next week that as a community we must ease into the process of remote learning – let's prioritize gaining comfort with remote learning, having meaningful and interesting intellectual engagement, and social connection. There is much unknown ahead, and we are in a situation that none of us asked for. However, new and innovative ways of teaching and learning are ahead, and together, we will rise to the occasion!

Thank you. Stay well. And please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

Over the past few weeks my emails have been filled with announcements of difficult and substantive decisions regarding changes to current life at Westridge. For now, our major decisions have been made and, like you in your work and family lives, we are focused on what is needed to continue our mission and to support our community during the current circumstances. And so, today, I write mainly with a few resources and thoughts that might be of use in the coming weeks.

Parent Resources Page. We have published the initial phase of a parent resource page (https://www.westridge.org/remotelearning). We envision this as a tool to help you in supporting your daughters as they adapt to online learning. It will continue to be built out in coming weeks but I wanted to send it to you today because it includes some resources for home-based activities that may be helpful during a Spring Break mostly confined to your homes.

Wifi Check-in. Sister schools in Northern California that went online last week have relayed that internet speed in homes has been an issue for some of their families. This can be an issue especially for live-stream, video-based classes. On our end, faculty members will be using a variety of technology options for synchronous learning so that we don’t rely exclusively on video. However, we recommend that you take a moment to check on your home network to see if this might be an issue for your family, especially if you have several adults and children working online at home now. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Westridge Help Desk at helpdesk@westridge.org.

College Board Page. We know our Upper School families have many questions about AP and SAT testing. Information from the College Board is evolving rapidly, so to streamline communications we have created a dedicated information page in Finalsite.

Communications with Faculty & Staff. We recommend communicating with the school primarily through email while we are in remote learning mode. We won’t hesitate to pick up the phone if that is best. However, while we are physically away from our phones there may be delays in picking up voicemail. (Faculty emails may be found in the online directory access through the homepage of the Parent Portal and most are also published here on the school’s public website.) I would also remind you that faculty and staff have begun to transition into Spring Break this week and may not be online. In the meantime, you may reach out to me or your division director if you have any questions.

As I was writing this message, local officials announced new restrictions across LA County, the Safer At Home Order, which among other things bans gatherings over 10 people who stay at least six feet apart and tells us that outside of essential errands for food, healthcare and the like, we must all stay at home. I know this is difficult for our students and our parents, but it is vital that all of us are as conservative as possible in these measures right now and that includes avoiding play dates and social gatherings unless needed for urgent childcare needs.

To that end, much is being said about the importance of maintaining personal connections while we withdraw into social isolation. As I look out over our campus, I am both saddened at its temporary silence and reassured by the reminder of the community that is formed here. Our physical space is important to that community, but our connection transcends Madeline Drive. The gestures of caring that I have seen from the students and adults of Westridge this week make that clear. We have students wondering how they might stay connected to their Westridge "big and little sisters." Faculty have had virtual lunches to share a personal moment of connection as well as thoughts on ways to translate their curricula online. Our Grade Level Representatives (GLRs) are reaching out to their classes with parenting ideas for quarantine in messages that include beautiful thoughts for troubling times. We even have a Middle School student who has arranged an online dance party for students of Pasadena independent schools this weekend (tomorrow at 7 pm at @djwildstyle18 on Instagram)!

We are certainly in for more change before this is over, but I am thankful we are in it together. I came across this quote from Mary Oliver, one of my favorite poets, today: It is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world. Indeed, our world feels broken today but it is a gift to be here and to witness the many beautiful examples of humanity on display in the face of current challenges.

Thank you for your support and caring. If not before, we will be in touch next Thursday, March 26, with additional information on our transition to remote learning.

Yours in community,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

I hope today's email finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Importantly, I can pass along that our student who was exposed to a house guest later diagnosed with COVID-19 has emerged from the quarantine period feeling well and with no symptoms. The same is true for the other members of her family.

It seems I write to you from a different world than I did just last Friday with more and more aspects of community life shutting down and the potential timeline for this emergency expanding daily. Because of this, I can now confirm that Westridge will officially move to remote learning as of March 30, the day school resumes after spring break. As the situation with the virus remains in flux, we do not have a specific timeline for a return to campus. I am sure you know that reports to date project a late April or early May peak for the outbreak, so we are planning to remain online for the foreseeable future.

Our faculty and staff have been working remotely since Friday, in many cases building on the remote operations plans we have had in place for a number of years in anticipation of suspending life on campus due to a major emergency, such as an earthquake. Because of this work, we are well prepared for the coming weeks, although we do realize that it will be a learning process for all of us. In addition to advice from schools in Asia who have months of experience with online learning this year, we will tap into our community of educators across the country to share best practices, and we will learn from our students and families as to what is working and where we need to shift our approaches.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Week One (March 30 – April 3). All work during this week will be asynchronous, meaning class interactions will happen via Finalsite without real-time interaction. Faculty will post assignments by the evening of March 29. Students will be expected to check Finalsite every weekday by 10 am to read the assignments and materials posted by their teachers. Teachers will have regular office hours when they will be online to answer students' questions either by email or video chat.

Week Two (April 6-9). Teachers may begin to use Microsoft Teams for synchronous learning in which class interactions happen in real time. They may employ a number of different tools to communicate and provide instruction to students including Finalsite, email, screencasts, discussion boards, Padlet, Flipgrid and many others. There should be a balance between asynchronous and synchronous activities.

Your daughters will receive emails from their teachers before March 30 explaining their plans, schedules, workload, expectations, and the like. We have posted an updated and expanded overview of remote learning on the school's Coronavirus page. Before online school begins, we will launch a page of resources for parents as you support your daughters in this new learning environment.

We will continue to communicate with you as our planning unfolds. In addition to classes, we are working toward ways to maintain other important aspects of our school day and our community life, such as advisories, school traditions, celebrations, and team workouts. They will undoubtedly look different but are crucial to our school and our girls' social and emotional wellness. There is much to tackle as we roll out remote learning, but we will incorporate these components as quickly as possible.

Again, I thank you for being with us through this challenge – a challenge for our school, our girls, our families, and our greater society. While we work to ensure that our educational program continues uninterrupted, we know our first responsibility is to ensure our students feel safe and secure. Getting back to school and establishing a routine are important foundational elements, as is working to maintain social connection. Our student support team will, of course, be available while we are working remotely. And I know that our community will rally to support those among us in need in the coming months. In the meantime, if you have any questions please reach out to me or to your division director.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

*As of March 16, 2020.

Download PDF version

Our top priorities during remote learning will be delivering curricular content and maintaining a sense of community. It’s important to all of us that any disruption does not present a disadvantage to students’ future academic progress.

Remote learning is not about replicating what happens in on-campus settings. Remote learning is about creating a strong, healthy online community including a balance of asynchronous and synchronous learning, connections and collaboration. We need to be prepared to use remote learning for a sustained period of time. School is still in session, just in a different space.

Week 1 of Remote Learning (March 30 - April 3), all instruction will be asynchronous, meaning that students will not have to be online at the same time as their classmates. We want to give families an opportunity to establish the routines necessary to support learning at home.

There will be a modified daily schedule for each division. Students will be expected to check Finalsite every weekday by 10 am to read the assignments and materials posted by their teachers.

Teachers are expected to post all instructions, assignments and learning materials to Finalsite each week along with an overview of the learning objectives and expectations. In remote learning the pace is slower and expectations reduced. Teachers will have office hours when they will be online to answer students’ questions.

Week 2 of Remote Learning (April 6 - 9), teachers may include synchronous, meaning online at the same time as students, activities such as hosting an online video meeting. There should be a balance between asynchronous and synchronous activities. Please note that synchronous activities may not be ideal due to individual technology limitations. If students cannot participate in the synchronous activity, they will have an opportunity to learn the material in another way. It should be noted, however, that some synchronous activities, like class discussion, cannot be recreated.

Teachers many use a number of different tools to communicate and provide instruction to students including Finalsite, email, screencasts, discussion boards, Flipgrid and Microsoft Teams for video connections.

We recognize that students may be in situations that make it difficult to learn. Some students may have trouble with the format and pace of remote learning. Some students may need to take care of younger siblings. Know that we will work with students- during and after the closure- to make sure that students feel confident in their learning. Students and parents/ guardians should contact the appropriate division director for support, guidance, and advice.

If students need help with technology, please reach out to the tech department at helpdesk@westridge.org. This includes help with software challenges like “I can’t connect to Finalsite,” to more significant challenges like “I don’t have access to the internet,” or “I need a device to use at home for schoolwork.” We are ready to provide full support to all students and families so that students can continue to learn.

Student and family support during remote learning:

During remote learning, Westridge’s student and family support program will continue. It’s critical that students and families have access to our support services. Students’ advisors will proactively reach out to them for the duration of the closure. Learning support and counseling will be available at regularly scheduled times.
 

Key terminology for online learning:

Terms that will help you navigate the shift to remote learning:

Remote Learning/Teaching

Remote Learning occurs when the learner and instructor, or source of information, are

separated by time or distance and therefore cannot meet in a traditional classroom setting. Note that this is not synonymous with “virtual classroom.”

Asynchronous

Class interactions happen via Learning Management System (Finalsite) without real-time interaction. Students engage in class materials and complete work at their own pace, typically within a given timeframe, often using discussion boards and other online tools to drive peer-to-peer engagement.

Synchronous

Class interactions happen in real time, at the same time. Students may virtually attend

class together via video conference, livestream, or chat. We will use Microsoft Teams for synchronous meetings. Most online courses are a blend of synchronous contact and asynchronous study/work.

Screencast

A digital video recording of a computer screen or session, usually including audio narration. Screencasts are a form of instructional video. Screencastify, Loom, and PowerPoint are common tools for screencasting.

Video Conference

A virtual meeting in which participants in different locations can communicate with each other with audio and video. Westridge will use Microsoft Teams for this function.

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

By now you all should be aware that we have a student who was in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. We have notified the Pasadena Department of Public Health and are waiting to receive specific guidance. In the meantime, we are able to provide you with the following information.

The student, a 9th grader, was in contact with a family friend visiting from Spain who departed 12 days ago. She has been in school during this time, and she and her entire family remain symptom free. After the guest returned to Spain, he tested positive and is noted to be healthy and doing well. The family has been in touch with Pasadena Public Health and their own physician and the consensus of opinion, as reported by the family, is that the overwhelming likelihood is that their houseguest contracted the virus after he returned home.

We will continue to seek direct information and guidance from health officials but wanted to share this information now because, due to the magnitude of what they are dealing with, it may be some time before we connect. Our closure was a precautionary measure, but I do believe it was the right one for our community.

CAMPUS OPEN MONDAY 12-3 PM FOR ITEM RETRIEVAL

If your daughters left items at school on Thursday that they wish to pick up for break, campus will be open Monday, March 16, from 12-3 pm. We ask that they check in with their division office when they arrive on campus. This time is for quick pick-up of items only.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Faculty and administrators are working now on remote learning plans and resources and we will be in touch next week with more details (an overview of remote learning procedures is posted at www.westridge.org/coronavirus.) Know that currently we are operating under the assumption that we will be moving to remote learning when we return from Spring Break on March 30 and that we may be in this mode for some time. However, we will be in touch regularly as the situation evolves, and at a minimum, will report back to our community on Thursday, March 19, and Thursday, March 26.

One other piece of information that we learned today from a physician who provided guidance to the California Association of Independent Schools is that recommendations are trending toward keeping students at home as much as possible, and, if they are in group situations, to limit them to no more than 15 people, all of whom are symptom-free and typically spend time with one another. I know this is a much smaller number than the broader guidance we see in the larger public and it was not stated as a formal, concrete recommendation. However, I wanted to share the direction and tone of expert thinking to help you as you make plans for your daughters and families in the coming weeks.

Thank you and, as always, reach to me or your division director with any questions.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Westridge School will be closed tomorrow, Friday, March 13, to all students, faculty, and staff.

This evening we learned that an Upper School student was in direct contact with a person who has since tested positive for COVID-19. In an abundance of caution and following guidance from the National Association of Independent Schools, we are closing school tomorrow and Spring Break will begin immediately for students. We will provide more information as soon as we are able to speak with the Pasadena Department of Public Health.

As always, our decision making is led by our primary responsibility for our students' and community's health and safety.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Director of Athletics Melanie Horn

Hello Tigers!

Beginning tomorrow (March 13) we will not be practicing after school. During the next two weeks, coaches will be sending you work-outs that you can do at home. It is my hope that you continue your conditioning and stay sharp with your skills as you are able. When we return, we’ll take care of our unfinished business in the Prep League!

I thank you for your hard work and dedication thus far this season, and truly look forward to getting everyone back on campus!

Stay strong, Tigers!

Coach Horn

An update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

We appreciate your patience as we work through the best options for our students and community during the COVID-19 outbreak. While we know uncertainty can be frustrating, new information and recommendations from public health officials that we receive each day have been important to our discussions about how best to protect our students while minimizing the impact to their learning. After much research and deliberation, we have decided to begin Spring Break four days early and will close school beginning Monday, March 16.

We did not make this decision lightly, but believe it is best for our immediate community, our extended loved ones, and the right thing to do as a school, an institution which plays a critical role in the fabric of our local community. Though there wasn’t one clear path, it is clear that as individuals and institutions, we need to work together through this difficult situation. We understand this will have a significant impact on our families, and we hope that by making this decision today you have ample time to make any childcare arrangements that might be needed for next week.

Although we have no cases of exposure within our community, the combination of increased calls for social distancing to mitigate virus spread and our atypical schedule for next week ultimately led us to make this final decision. We do not have a concrete plan for post-Spring Break yet and will be evaluating the situation on an ongoing basis. We are scheduled to return on Monday, March 30, but much could change over those two weeks. We will send communications each Thursday, March 19 and 26, to update you on our thinking and plans.

Faculty will be on campus Monday planning for remote learning should that be required after break and they will be speaking with students over the next two days to help them prepare for that possibility. All students should take materials, devices, and chargers home Thursday in case our situation changes abruptly, and of course over the break as well. Families of students in grades 4 & 5, whose daughters do not have dedicated devices for school, will receive a survey tomorrow to help us understand your home technology needs.

We also are canceling all events and participation in non-essential gatherings of 100 or greater people between now and Monday and all athletic competitions for the remainder of the week. This includes:

• Thursday: Intermediate and Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert, North Central Animal Shelter service-learning trip, and Upper School Town Meeting.
• Friday: US Orchestra Symphonies for Schools Concert at Disney Concert Hall field trip, NSDA Speech Qualifier, and the 8^th grade dance at High Point.
• Weekend: Rocketry launch at Santa Fe Dam and the Speech and Debate Bruschke Invitational.

SPRING BREAK TRAVEL REMINDER

Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention current recommendations, we ask all families, faculty, and staff traveling to CDC Level 2 or 3 countries, or who are knowingly exposed to COVID-19, to observe a 14-day self-quarantine period at home before re-entering school. Quarantine should begin the day after leaving one of these countries and families should also follow guidelines received from health officials. Should your family be in this position, teachers will work with your daughter to keep her up to date in her classes and we ask that you contact your division director and Director of Health & Wellness Cynthia Conteas-Wood.

NEW WEBPAGE/REMOTE LEARNING INFORMATION

We have launched a dedicated webpage (www.westridge.org/coronavirus) for all school updates regarding COVID-19 as well as links to public health resources. There you will find all announcements we have made to date, and an overview of how remote learning will function if required. We will continue to email you key updates but have created this as a central repository for information and it will be updated regularly.

Just two weeks ago when I wrote to you that we were entering into uncharted waters for U.S. schools, I did not conceive of where we would be in such a short period of time. All of us appreciate your words of support and understanding. Westridge is a special community every day, but we have a different appreciation for the depth of what that means when we face challenges. We will continue to keep you apprised and please do not hesitate to let me or your division directors know if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from the Westridge College Counseling Team

Dear Juniors, Seniors, and Parents,

As communicated by the Head of Upper school last week, Westridge has cancelled both international trips and domestic Interim trips. This determination was made in large part because of the risks - known, emerging, and as yet unknown - involved in air travel at this time. The College Counseling Team is aware that some students and their families are planning on using spring break to visits college and universities either as prospective or admitted students.

In light of evolving information about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and out of an abundance of caution, many colleges and universities will be suspending upcoming spring events for campus visitors, including admitted student programming, campus tours, and information sessions, until further notice. To date, Brown University, Columbia University, Fordham University, Harvard College, University of Pennsylvania, University of Puget Sound, and Stanford University, are taking this temporary action to ensure the safety and well-being of their visitors as well as the entire college or university community. We suspect that many institutions will follow suit.

We know that this is a critical time for students, whether they are seniors choosing the college in which college to enroll, or juniors just starting their college search. One Ivy League university emailed us to guide students to the many other opportunities offered to learn about their campus besides actually coming to campus. For example: explore individual college websites, take a virtual tour, and check out the Net Price Calculator or other financial aid cost estimators. In addition, you could research social media accounts for testimonials and insights.

To this end, we highly recommend that you research and access if traveling to visit colleges and universities will be productive, given the updates known as of today. If we can be of support to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team, as we care deeply about you, your health, and your future.

Sincerely yours,

Westridge College Counseling Team

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

As we wind down a week with many new situations and updates regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) in the U.S. and communities closer to home, I would like to provide you with school-related updates.

STUDENT TRIPS

• Upper School overnight Interim trips, both domestic and international, have been cancelled. This was a very difficult and disappointing decision as experiential learning is a critical and growing part of our program. However, the determinations were made in light of the incredible rate of change in both the outbreak and information available about the virus including risks involving air travel. Our upper school and business offices continue to work with trip vendors to recoup as much of the trips fees as possible. If your family is involved, you will hear directly from those offices when more information becomes available.
• Currently, we are assessing the situation for Lower School Experiential Week and Upper School Interim Week local and day trips. We plan to make a final decision by Wednesday, March 11.
• A decision regarding alternate plans for Interim Week for students on cancelled trips will be made on or before March 11 but please note that students are expected to take part in school activities during that period.

SPRING BREAK TRAVEL

With Spring Break rapidly approaching, we know that many of our families and employees will be traveling in the coming weeks. Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention current recommendations, we ask all families, faculty and staff traveling to CDC Level 2 or 3 countries, or who are knowingly exposed to COVID-19, to observe a 14-day self-quarantine period at home before re-entering school. Quarantine should begin the day after leaving one of these countries and families should also follow guidelines received from health officials. Should your family be in this position, teachers will work with your daughter to keep her up to date in her classes and we ask that you contact your division director and Director of Health & Wellness Cindy Conteas-Wood.

The CDC currently lists China, Iran, Italy and South Korea with Warning Level 3 travel advisories, and Japan is designated Alert Level 2. These warnings and CDC recommendations are likely to change in coming days and weeks, including during our Spring Break, so please monitor changes while you are away, and we will update should our policies evolve. For the most important and up to date information, please visit these websites:

• The CDC on Coronavirus (COVID-19): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• LA County Department of Public Health on Coronavirus (COVID-19): http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

SCHOOL EVENTS

Again, following the guidance of national and local public health organizations, at this time school events and athletic schedules remain in place as planned. The one exception we have made to date is the cancellation of Grandparent's Day (April 9), a decision which was made in light of the increased risk of illness in the elderly. April 9 remains a half day of school for students with planned early dismissal (Lower School: 11:30 am, Middle School: 11:45 am, and Upper School: 12:20 pm) and afternoon professional development workshops for faculty and staff.

CAMPUS MAINTENANCE

Our facilities team is monitoring all public health guidance and is in communication with school and university facilities teams across the city to stay abreast of evolving best practices. We have a large supply of disinfectant wipes that address viruses as well as a large supply of hand sanitizer. All high-touch surfaces are cleaned each night, and janitorial staff members are active during the day as well as in the evening.

As I am sure you have all heard by now, among the top recommendations for mitigating transmission of COVID-19 are social distancing (stay home from school and work if you are sick) and frequent hand washing. This week, more than 100 signs with reminders and directions for proper hand washing techniques were posted around campus.

As in all circumstances, our primary goal right now is to keep our community members safe and healthy. COVID-19 adds a unique element in that schools are key community institutions that might be called on to close to limit the spread of the virus in the broader community. Our management and academic teams are meeting daily to ensure we are managing this issue on our campus and are prepared should we be called on to close campus and shift to online learning.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we all work together to keep our girls and community safe and actively engaged in their learning. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me (Elizabeth McGregor), your division director, or Cynthia Conteas-Wood, our director of health and wellness.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School

An Update from Director of Upper School Gary Baldwin

Dear Upper School Families,

As you know we have been monitoring the spread and the risk of the COVID-19 virus and making assessments about necessary changes to School programming. As a part of this process we have cancelled Interim international travel experiences for this year. This determination was made in large part because of the risks - known, emerging, and as yet unknown - involved in air travel at this time. As these same concerns apply equally to our domestic overnight trips, I am writing to let you know that we have now made the decision to cancel this year’s domestic overnight trips to Idaho, Alabama, and Hawaii.

As with the cancelling of the international trips, we recognize that because Interim is such a valued Westridge experience this decision will be disappointing to both students and faculty, and you should know that it was not a decision arrived at lightly. In the end, however, the safety and well-being of our student and faculty population is our primary concern and we are not prepared to send members of our community on overnight trips away from home under the existing circumstances.

We will be working with the airlines and hotels to secure as much as we can in the way of refunds, and we will be refunding to you whatever we receive from these efforts, as well as the chaperones’ stipends and contingency fees associated with the trips. This process will take a few days and so I would ask you to look for a communication from the school in the near future updating you on our efforts on this front.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and remain in regular contact with the Pasadena Department of Public Health. We have not yet made a final decision on the running of the local interim experiences, but we expect to make a decision about that no later than Wednesday, March 11. At that time, we plan to provide an update on the plans for the Interim days for those students whose trips have been cancelled.

Additionally, if you did purchase travel insurance and need assistance or documentation for filing a claim, please be in contact with Kim Cota in our business office (626-799-1053 ext. 266 or by email at kcota@westridge.org.)

Needless to say, this is a fluid and evolving situation, and we will be messaging out as events warrant. In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best,

Gary Baldwin
Director of Upper School

An Update from Head of School Elizabeth J. McGregor

Dear Westridge Families,

As you may know, yesterday the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommended that businesses and communities, including schools, prepare now for the potential of planned closures if needed to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the United States. We refer you to the CDC website for specifics, but please note they clearly state that the virus is not currently recognized to be spreading in U.S. communities and that such actions might be put in place should sustained transmission in U.S. communities be identified. As this point in time, according to the LA County Department of Public Health, LA County only has one confirmed case of novel coronavirus in a non-resident traveler from Wuhan, and the immediate health risk for the general public is considered low.

At Westridge, as part of our ongoing emergency preparedness work we have developed a business continuity plan that includes online learning to continue classes should campus be closed for an extended period. In response to the CDC's recommendation yesterday, all faculty members have been asked to formalize specific online learning contingency plans for their current classes.

While the likelihood of a campus closure is unknown, we wanted to let you know that we are prepared for such a scenario.

Also, with the international outbreak situation changing daily, we are assessing our international trips for the upcoming Interim Week. If you have a daughter on one of these trips, we will be in touch with you by Wednesday, March 4, to update you on what we have learned and our plans. In the meantime, if you have questions regarding Interim travel, please contact Gary Baldwin (gbaldwin@westridge.org or 626.799.1053 ext. 236).

Thank you.

Elizabeth J. McGregor
Head of School