AAS DISTANCE LEARNING INFO HUB

Our campus is closed, but the learning continues. We're in this together...

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In the case of Distance learning, all communications will be sent through P-Learning.

Please make sure you have access to P-Learning.

During this extended closure, the school will facilitate appropriate distance learning for all students.
Daily home learning tasks will be posted before 09:30 am. Tasks will provide authentic and meaningful connections to the school curriculum.
Инструкции за дистанционно онлайн обучение на български (Distance Learning Information in Bulgarian)

Distance Learning Info by Grade

Pre-K to KG

PK - Kindergarten

Homeroom teachers will provide a daily range of tasks for families to engage in with their child
- No online learning programs will be suggested
Specialist, World Language and EAL teachers will provide tasks for families to engage in with their child on the days in which students would normally visit those classes
- Tasks may include songs, games, reading (including mother tongue), cooking or arts and crafts
- Tasks will be sent to families via P-Learning messaging
- No online learning programs will be suggested
Families will engage with the tasks presented: responding with photos, reflections, learning logs, etc.

Lower ES

Lower ES (Grades 1 - 3)

Homeroom teachers in Grades 1 to 3 will provide a daily range of tasks to engage students both independently and with their families
- P-Learning posts may include links to other online resources
Specialist, World Language and EAL teachers will provide tasks to be completed independently or together with caregivers on the days in which students would normally visit those classes
- P-Learning posts may include links to other online resources
Families will engage with the tasks presented: responding with photos, reflections, learning logs, etc.

Upper ES

Upper ES (Grades 4 - 5)

Homeroom teachers in Grades 4 & 5 will provide a daily range of tasks to engage students independently
- P-Learning posts may include links to other online resources
Specialist, World Language and EAL teachers will provide tasks to be completed independently on the days in which students would normally visit those classes
- P-Learning posts may include links to other online resources
Students/families will engage with the tasks presented
- Students will be expected to reply to the teacher

MS & HS

Middle & High School

Teachers will provide students with tasks to engage them independently and in collaboration with their peers (where appropriate)
Teachers will provide expectations as well as instructions and feedback for longer term projects, just as they would expect in a regular classroom setting
- Depending on the circumstance and the anticipated length of closure, some work may also be shared when campus reopens
Subject teachers will follow-up with students and their families in all cases in which a student falls behind on tasks or fails to meet expectations

Support

Learning Support

Learning support teachers will check in with students and families as appropriate

Counselor Support

Counselors will be available for regular “office hours” via Google Hangouts/Google Meet and be reachable via school email
Students and families will be able to schedule online appointments as needed
Counselors will periodically post relevant support information as needed to
P-Learning (e.g. coping skills, tips for managing online learning)

P-Learning - Log In Instructions

P-Learning - Log In Instructions

P-Learning Login

If you have trouble logging on, or need your password reset, please email ictdepartment@aas-sofia.org.

P-LEARNING NOTIFICATIONS

Plan to check P-Learning each day, and/or turn on “notifications” to receive messages directly through P-Learning. You can access your notifications by logging into your P-Learning account, then clicking on your avatar on the top-right of the page, then clicking Notifications.

Make sure that “A new Class Announcement is posted” and “I have a new Inbox Message” are checked. You may select Daily Email (which will be delivered daily at 9:30 am) or Instant Email depending upon your preferences.

AAS Distance Learning Delivery - Model & Guidelines

Suggestions for Parents

SUPPORTING DISTANCE LEARNING - OUR SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS

Parents have always had a key role to play in supporting their child's learning, and this remains just as true for distance learning.

Please click on the images below for more information on things parents should consider while supporting their children through distance learning.

2 - Define A Supportive Physical Space For Learning

4 - Keep A Healthy Balance With Technology

8 - Take An Active Role In Helping Your Children Process And Own Their Learning

Graphic of Model

A Mission Driven Approach

Our mission is to engage, support and prepare each student for today and tomorrow.

We continue to embrace our mission through distance learning:

We engage students through our technology platforms and vetted online tools in synchronous and asynchronous manners. We design intentional learning that can be online, offline or blended.
We support students by continuing to provide counseling, English as Additional Language support and Learning Support services remotely.
We prepare students by integrating technology throughout the year so they develop 21st century skills and digital citizenship so that they are ready to engage in distance learning if AAS needs to close its campus.

AAS's approach to distance learning begins with the assertion that the learning experiences teachers design when school is in regular session cannot be simply replicated through distance learning. In particular, the invaluable social interactions and mediation that occurs naturally among students and between teachers and students cannot be recreated in the same way. Additionally, teachers must find new methods for providing timely and specific feedback to support student growth and learning. Accordingly, this DLP provides guidelines and insights about how AAS's faculty can leverage digital and experiential learning in ways that bring curriculum to life.

AAS deliberately uses the term distance learning rather than technology-specific labels such as “virtual learning,” “e-learning,” or “online classes.” This choice reflects our conviction that quality learning can occur at a distance without solely relying on devices. Rather than being tied to an electronic device for their learning, AAS's goal is for students to read, communicate, and engage in authentic learning experiences, while continuing to be physically active. Accordingly, AAS's shift to distance learning begins with consideration of how we can intentionally align distance learning experiences with our instructional approach.

Guidelines for Faculty

DELIVERING DISTANCE LEARNING - OUR GUIDELINES FOR FACULTY

We take the success and wellbeing of all our students very seriously, whatever the learning environment.

We invite you to click on the images below for more information on each of the Distance Learning Delivery Guidelines that our faculty work within.

02 - Evaluate Your Students’ Conditions For Distance Learning

03 - Stick With The Familiar And Be Consistent

06 - Be Flexible And Personalize Learning

07 - Think as Learning Designers and Coaches

08 - A Balance Between Structure And Dialogue

The importance of mental well being

During this time of social distancing and self quarantine, a focus on mental well being is more important than ever. Please make use of the resources from our counseling team below - and look after yourselves and each other...

Latest news from our remote community...

Congratulations, Class of 2020! 🎓🎓🎓

29 May 2020

From the School Director, who considers life’s milestones and in particular that of high school graduation as AAS celebrates its Class of 2020 today.

Director's Blog - Extrovert or Introvert?

27 May 2020

Extrovert or introvert? There is nothing better about being one or the other. Each simply exhibits different preferences. Read our Director's thoughts on the balance between these two personality types

"Replanting" your family

19 May 2020

Some ideas on how to make moving to another country and school smoother for your family.

Creating a "Someday Soon" Jar

14 May 2020

A simple family activity to put you in a more positive mindset during the times of uncertainty.

Latest School Emails

Latest School Emails

Faculty Availability

Communication

Faculty will reply to emails during their scheduled office hours; for emails and communication received outside these times, faculty will reply during their next office hours
Teachers will have the daily learning, instructions, message to students or families regarding specific tasks and dates, and teacher “office” time posted at the top of the P-Learning pages each school (ES) and on scheduled class days (MS/HS) day by 09:00
Faculty will communicate with students and families using the following tools only:
- P-Learning (for all class and student communication)
  - P-Learning posts may include links to other online resources and may use class discussions (forums)
- Email (for individual family communication)
- Google Drive (for resource sharing)
- Google Hangouts Chat
- Google Hangouts Meet (video conferencing)

Student Expectations

Engage with P-Learning and respond to and complete learning tasks as assigned
Review home learning tasks posted with their children
Select a place in their home where their child(ren) can do school work
Ensure that AAS has accurate communication information: (e.g. email addresses and telephone numbers)
Attendance will be taken based on whether students/families have accessed P-Learning each day (ES) or on scheduled class days (MS/HS)

Role and Responsibilities: Students (as appropriate to age)

Dedicate appropriate time to learning, comparable to a school day and/or as guided
by your teacher/s
Check appropriate online platforms for information on courses, assignments,
resources daily
Identify a comfortable and quiet space to study/learn
Engage in all learning posted with academic honesty
Submit all assignments in accordance with provided timeline and/or due dates
Ensure own social and emotional balance by keeping healthy habits

Roles and Responsibilities: Families

Provide an environment conducive to learning (access to technology, safe and quiet
space during daytime)
Engage in conversations on posted materials, assignments
Monitor time spent engaging in online and offline learning, including variables like
that of preferred learning times (morning, afternoon, evening)
Support emotional balance by providing ample room and time for reflection, physical
activity, conversation, and play

School Operations

Communication

In addition to teachers’ regular communication with families, the Principals, Director of Learning and Curriculum, ICT Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager, and Business Manager, will be available via email.
The Director will provide regular updates to the school community, and will also be available via email.

Library Team

The Library team will:

Support colleagues in finding resources for high-quality distance learning experiences and research
Provide online learning activities (videos, links, etc.) for ES students
Maintain and update the online library site for obtaining resources
Be available digitally for students, families, and teachers as needed for support
Share weekly resource updates and tips with the MS/HS community

Business Office

The Business Office will operate as normally as possible, with normal office hours either from its usual location or remotely.

Admissions Office

The Admissions Office will operate as usual, with normal office hours either from its usual location or remotely.

Campus Security

The Security Team will keep the school campus closed to students, parents, and visitors. If someone needs to be admitted to campus, they will need the permission of the appropriate division Principal or the Director.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The facilities team will continue cleaning and disinfecting the campus.

IB Exams

The May 2020 examinations as scheduled between 30 April and 22 May for Diploma Programme candidates will no longer be held. Our IB Coordinator is available to answer any questions.

Transportation Services

All school transport services will be suspended during closure.

aas cOVID-19 InfoRMATION Page
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Sharing our distance learning experiences! #AASLearnsOn

Header Photo Credit: Kathleen Schwartz Photography