And it matters to our surrounding community, as a time when many Williamsburg neighbors celebrate living in a university town. So, we asked the teachers in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook to share their messages to students during COVID-19 school closures. Kimberley is a Creative Director at WeAreTeachers. Thank you for standing with William & Mary. All residential students also have agreed to adhere to specific Covid-19 Health and Well-Being Policies as part of theirhousing contract. While W&M is allowing student to upload rapid test results to satisfy requirements for move-in and on-campus activities, the university asks that students still complete the test process with Kallaco, which provides a different type of COVID-19 test. Beginning tomorrow, September 8, William & Mary will launch on-site testing for our students. Entry will be restricted to these doors. We are planning a phased move-in for undergraduate students living in on-campus housing. Research advances, music performances continue and students and teachers are coming together to explore the affordances of distance education, aided by our Studio for Teaching and Learning Innovation. Like many of you, we continue to follow closely the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19. For members of the Class of 2020, this reality is especially keenly felt as we approach the time of degree completion in May. The university is providing support for the online instructional, remote learning and technology needs of faculty, students and staff. They are based in our shared values of respect and flourishing, by which we empower those who live, learn and work here to make choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. We will continue to add to this calendar overview so all students have the dates that are most critical to planning for fall. And please download the W&M Wellness App to stay current on all events and resources., While William & Mary is operating on a modified academic schedule, all the departments of the Dean of Students Office are available via phone (757) 221-2510 and email. It's a hive of human activity and constant, emotional interaction - buzzing with movement, noise, rapid changes, ups, downs and, in many cases, actual bells to tell everyone when to stand up and go. We know our graduates and families want to be able to gather freely, in large numbers for everything from the Candlelight Ceremony and Walk Across Campus, to our formal exercises themselves. We ask that everyone continue to refer to https://www.wm.edu/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information on anything related to W&Ms institutional response. We are working with real-time information, assessing current conditions and predictions for future trends with expert advice guidance from authorities in infectious disease, epidemiology and our regional public health partners. The deadline for residential undergraduate students to select a meal plan was July 8. Their"Message to Our Van Holten Huskies" included sweet photo and video messages, some song and dance and plenty of colorful signs and chalk artwork assuring students that they are missed and supported and that this challenging time won't last forever. "Thank you very much for doing that video. The health emergency forced the closing of schools all over the country, sending over 55 million K-12 students and about four million teachers home for the remainder of the school year. Walk slowly through your neighborhood or in your backyard and discover what Spring looks like. Cindy K. Its easy to feel helpless in situations like this, but we can make small differences. In the past two months, we have all witnessed the staggering impact of COVID-19 on our nations public health and economy. A similar message was sent to the UW Tacoma community. We have heard the concerns expressed by many students and faculty about this falls compressed semester. If your students cant hear you correct their grammar, are you even teaching? Initially, staff members wanted to drive by houses in their cars, but considering the social distancing protocols that were in place at the time, the idea was changed to making a video and they reached out to fellow staff to collect clips and edit them all together. Completing the address confirmation and questionnaire is necessary, but your test may not ship immediately. The Exit: Teachers Leave. Quotes that Hold the True Meaning of Education. As we welcome new students into the William & Mary community and formally start classes, the excitement of a new academic year is palpable. Graduate courses will also begin as planned by the respective schools; We will slow the pace of student return to campus through August, to Labor Day Weekend, so as to minimize density and reduce circulation on/off campus; We will delay the start of in-person undergraduate instruction until after Labor Day, so as to ensure consistent experiences for all students (on and off campus) during a more extended return to campus; Deans will communicate details in each school, appropriate to the instruction plans already in place, which had anticipated the need to adjust throughout the semester. Please keep sending your questions our way, since they give us a better understanding of how to support you to the best of our collective ability. Amy SebringVice President for Finance and Technology. Parents of all students in the class/cohort. Gabriel H. Sanchez Senior Photo Essay Editor Kate Bubacz Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public. "You are only confined by the walls you build yourself." Andrew Murphy. Work through the stress by creating. Amber D. One of the best, safe activities for kids to do is get outside and play or exercise. Virginias Phase 3 of reopening began July 1. Visit. If you still have questions, please submit a comment so that we may address any concerns and update our FAQs accordingly. School is important but so is your health. Outdoor spaces: face coverings may be removed only when an uninterrupted 6 distance can be maintained between you and other individuals for the continuous duration of an activity. These measures and temporary policies will continue through the duration of the pandemic or with specific end-dates as indicated below, whichever occurs first. William & Mary will cover the cost of a voluntary test for students and employees who wish to be tested prior to returning home for the Thanksgiving holiday. In response, W&M will not shorten the spring academic calendar. Every institution has continuity plans with scenarios for epidemics, W&M included. If you are a student and receive a positive test result from William & Marys ongoing testing or from another health service provider: If you are a faculty or staff member and receive a positive test result from W&Ms ongoing testing or from another health service provider: William & Mary has established a network of case managers (all W&M employees) to help members of the community navigate living, study and work after a positive test result. For students, case managers will serve as a point of contact throughout the isolation period, helping with the transition to isolation or quarantine housing as needed, and arranging for cleaning and disinfecting of campus spaces, among other assistance. Please read the, Freshman and sophomore students are still required to live on campus. Thank you for the dedication you have shown throughout this semester. For more transparency, weve created a graphic that sketches these three strands of work and their relationship to each other. Honorlock is an online remote proctoring service that allows students to take exams from home. These SEL Lessons Inspired by Dogs Are What Kids Need Right Now. (Photo: Natalie Wieland). International Students will receive specific testing instructions in the next week to 10 days. Slots are first come, first served. Messages from teachers at the coalface as COVID-19 changes everything March 30, 2020 COVID-19 and schools Christine Cunningham, COVID-19 and teaching, messages from teachers during COVID-19 pandemic, messages from teachers in 2020, Teaching in 2020, transitioning to online teaching Heres to you, William & Marys remarkable Class of 2020! All of our lives have been upended by COVID-19 and we will all be balancing competing demands for some time to come. Build a snow sculpture. The same subscription form can also be used to opt-out if you no longer wish to participate. Please read through all information, which includes: We recognize that this fall semester will feel very different for us all. Teachers work hard from August to the end of May and during May is when we get to celebrate and see how much our kids grow and change and tell them were proud of them and celebrate with them and were not really getting to do that together.. Residence Life will provide additional details and instructions about spring move-in: January 22: new students (transfer & freshmen), international students, freshmen who studied remotely in the fall, January 23-24: freshmen who lived on campus in the fall / international students. A compilation of resources was created and shared last week with all students who had alerted us to their urgent need; the Dean of Students and Reves Center teams are following up with those students by phone today to determine what needs have yet to be met. As we prepare to change our instructional delivery modes starting next week, we are expanding the pass-fail option for Spring 2020. I have heard from so many of you over the last week and our sense of shared purpose is strong. $3.50. Those students may choose temporary housing in Richmond Hall, which has been identified as suitable for isolation (separate, exterior room doors, individual bathrooms, etc.) Staff at Richmond Hall will assist with your move-in, providing transportation as appropriate. All in all, just make life spicy. As always in these uncertain times, we will adhere to Virginias public health advisories to ensure the safety of all participating in and supporting events in the coming year. Do not test the resolve of this university to take swift action to prioritize the health and well-being of our campus and the Williamsburg community. Large student gatherings of any kind both on- and off-campusare not permitted. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, teachers and students all over the country have had to adjust to new ways of learning at a social distance. Some teachers left because of the challenges of teaching during a pandemic, while others were fearful they would contract Covid-19 and some were offered higher-paying jobs. ET. We will work with students (and their faculty as appropriate) to be sure they are in a position to be successful this semester. I hope they are learning new things even if its not me teaching it to them. Laura D. One of the best ways to relieve stress and discover what matters to you is to get creative. The schools of Law and Business made the transition to remote teaching last week, so teachers and students in those classes are in your second week. We are making decisions in a phased, evidence-based way and understand that flexibility is essential to remaining responsive to changing public health contexts. It has been moving, and heartening, to listen as this unprecedented shift has taken place. I should be coming in every day having my kids in my classroom, she explained. You will be able to quickly register your opinion by responding to the text with a yes/no or numerical value. The Bursars Office will credit the appropriate amounts to your student account. Please review the 2020-21 Resource Guide (pdf) for more details, but a summary of essential points include: For Fall 2020, use of space at William & Mary is dedicated to core mission activities and restricted to the immediate campus community. We are in wholly new territory and will learn as we go, together. One aspect of our being able to reconvene this fall with health and safety foremost in mind is agreeing on best practices, and then committing to them, through the Healthy Together Community Commitment. For more information, email vamrc@vdh.virginia.gov. Our Health & Wellness team is working to create a Virtual Wellness Center that includes a variety of wellness and fitness resources for students to access online. 1. Katherine A. Rowe, PresidentGinger Ambler, Vice President for Student Affairs. Please share any quotes that inspire you in the comments below. From exercise, personal training, and yoga videos to mindfulness and creative art, we will be offering a wide range of resources to help you manage the stress and emotions that are a part of this new challenge. Its important to remember that W&M does not control the surrounding public health context; decisions by the federal government and by Virginias leadership will frame the universitys options in the months ahead. 101 JFK Parkway | Short Hills, NJ | 07078 | (973) 921-5500. Today, we are announcing rebates for the spring semester, for eligible students, as follows. We love them. This month we are adding a third effort: planning ahead for next year. A Weekend for Commencement Celebration: October 9-11, 2020 Please hold the long weekend of October 9-11, 2020 as this years Commencement Weekend in Williamsburg. It is clear that we must defer the planned ceremony on May 16. 2) They support research in . positivity supporting others 20 inspirational quotes to lift you up Published on January 31, 2019 Updated on February 10, 2023 Having a bad day? Find Life & Wellbeing resources on We Are Teachers - Page 1 of 35. Telework through July 31: current restrictions and/or guidelines for telework, campus events and on-campus building access continue. Try these tips to help you create custom messages to share with your guests. Access to personal items. The greatest weapon we can have today is guarding ourselves with faith and prayer. These figures stem from lost revenue (study abroad, summer programs, athletics, housing, diningand parking) and new, unanticipated expenses (for software and technology needed to move learning to remote delivery, facilitate faculty and staff working at a distance, increased costs related to facilities cleaning and supplies, as well as emergency support for students in need). Completion of the training program must occur by Monday, Aug. 24. These 4 Inspirational Letters From Teachers to Students Will Ease Exam Pains By Jovita Aranha March 9, 2018 These beautiful letters by teachers have been immensely helpful for not just students but also their anxious parents. Just spend responsibly, kids. I write to share essential information for students. In-person classes are suspended for this coming week to allow faculty and staff to modify delivery of their curriculum. Bake cookies and decorate them. "One child, one teacher, one pen and one book. You will be notified by the William & Mary testing program when it is time to confirm the shipping address where youd like to receive your test kit. Please share your suggestions via our question box. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. I believe this and I hope it for each one of you. Please feel . My family is here, they're safe and sound, and I'm doing OK. I'm just doing the best I can. Isolation of asymptomatic individuals awaiting test results is NOT the recommendation of trusted authorities such as the CDC or VDH. This must be done in time slots, as the housing assignment system can only manage a specific number of people using it at a given time. We are living, learning, and connecting with one another in new ways. Will there be testing at the end of the Fall 2020 semester? Spikes in positive COVID-19 cases at other institutions came in the first few days after students arrived on campus, often as a result of large gatherings where mask-wearing and physical distancing expectations were ignored. ET, for a conversation on health and wellness. The theme of my message is simple: You're amazing! NOTE: W&Ms on-campus residency requirements notwithstanding, any freshman or sophomore student electing a fully-remote curriculum may be released from their campus housing contract with no penalty in order to reside at their permanent home address for the fall semester. Katie is a first-grade teacher. "I was so happy when I saw it. Our community has generously given to the university through our, Academic Advising has helpful tips on their website. That I will do my best to continue to support them and their families as we wade through uncharted territory. "These are 10 and. If you are unable to move out completely now, we will offer another window in May to come back and collect your belongings. Meanwhile, 33% of teachers. At-will testing will be offered to students as they leave for the semester, as an additional precaution for their home communities. If you have not signed up for direct deposit, a check will be sent to your mailing address. May we each commit to doing our part to mitigate risk, to actively demonstrate our care for the physical and emotional well-being of others, and to complete a successful year together. We and our VCU Health partners actively pursued due diligence from the beginning and continue to do so. Conversations are easier, resources are more readily accessible, and communication between students and teachers and parents is offered through more options than ever before. This delay from August 1 reflects potential impacts from Hurricane Isaias, and allows us to adjust operations in the early part of next week in a way that minimizes disruption. As we work through immediate-term solutions in crisis mode, we will begin to shift to living, teachingand learning during a pandemic. Not only are there variations in. In light of those conditions and with the health and safety of our W&M community as our highest priority, in-person Family Weekend and Homecoming & Reunions Weekend will be re-imagined as opportunities for virtual gatherings. We are managing returning student room change requests as we can. As we continue to chart a path forward together, I feel honored to be part of this community. On- and off-campus gatherings continue to be limited to no more than 10 people with required masks and physical distancing. Testing frequency and population percentage will evolve based on campus trends and available testing methods. We strongly discourage all personal travel, domestic or international, and may require employees who do travel to self-quarantine upon return. They stand ready to support students, faculty and staff in this transition. We love our students like our own children and this separation is painful. The deadline to request a release is, Fall meal plan selections will automatically roll to the spring semester and students are able to make one allowable change through the add/drop period at, Students with a meal plan this fall who plan to study remotely in the spring must log on to. Some students and faculty may elect simply to unplug and rest on these days; others will want to participate in a variety of recreational, social, wellness and service opportunities that will be announced later. For undergraduates, there will be six spring break days: On these spring break days, classes will not meet and no due dates for assignments or exams will be scheduled. All that is needed is a computer with the Chrome browser, a working webcam & microphone, and a stable Internet connection. Please note that these will be COVID-19 PCR nasal swab tests, a change from the pre-arrival and prevalence throat swabs with which you will be familiar. We want to support your success as we transition online. These are the tests required for move-in and in-person instruction; W&M does not plan to accept outside test results due to the variability and efficacy of COVID-19 tests nationally and difficulties in streamlining testing results and reporting requirements from multiple sources. Wherever you decide to give, your contribution, especially right now, will make a tremendous difference. Hold one another accountable. Wellness Resources for You. Employees were advised of their units in-person or remote requirements the week of July 20. If you intend to select Pass/Fail, you must do so in Banner during the extended withdrawal period, which now ends on Monday March 30 at 11:59 pm. Planning around the pandemic may be easier said than done. More will be needed in the weeks ahead. This is an incredibly challenging time. November 18, 2021. It offers regional data and information from W&Ms testing program. Please dont hesitate to send more questions to covidresponse@wm.edu. Accountability for W&Ms Healthy Together Community Commitment and behavioral guidelines, and consequences for not complying. When she went into her classroom to gather her things for the end of the year, she said it was unrecognizable. In recent weeks, I have witnessed the Alma Mater of the Nation standing together in the face of a global pandemic. ", Teachers' Acts of Kindness During Coronavirus. Our conclusion is that the Class of 2020 deserves to be celebrated fully. Those who did not make a selection by that date were automatically enrolled in the Gold 19 plan. For a close-knit community that treasures our ceremonies, Commencement stands out as among our most cherished. Social class juniors, seniors, and graduate students may request housing contract release without penalty. "Thank you very much for doing that video. Thank you for your cooperation. "I would like to begin by recognising our parents, families, and loved ones, especially my mum and dad, who, may not be physically present with us, but who are, as always, cheering us on from the screens of the Great Hall or on their devices; our lecturers for imparting their wisdom - who have recently acquired the number 1 spot in the recent The exact type of face covering may vary depending on the instructional environment (e.g., a university-provided face shield may be required in a lab). Sam JonesDirector, COVID-19 Response Team, At William & Mary we care about what our students think. Wednesday 26 April 2023. Case managers will be assigned after you have completed the intake form at ReportCOVID.wm.edu. That said, in barely three weeks, our world has shifted and our lives changed. They are merely waiting in the wings until its safe enough to be back in the classroom. Barnes & Noble, through VitalSource, has made arrangements for students to have free access to eTextbooks. Yet, understandably those at greater risk worry about how consistently young adults will be able to adhere to these guidelines, on and off campus. Recognizing that the health landscape continues to evolve, a robust testing effort allows us to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 on campus among students and employees, and to track campus trends relative to those locally, within Virginia and nationally. So we will continue to share more details as they become available. They can join an 'open group' room where they work together with mics and cameras on. It is critical that you bring your room key and ID card to access your residence hall. This centuries-old institution is discovering again what it means to be resilient as a university and to cultivate resilience in those who come here. Returning students: We ask that you join into our shared norms with curiosity and respect: be mindful of the effort it takes to integrate COVID-19 rules of conduct into daily, healthy social habits. You are required to wear a face covering when in a classroom, lab or other instructional space. Remember that we are in this together -- all W&M offices are "open" and we are here for you., Virginia M. Ambler, PhDVice President for Student AffairsWilliam & Mary. To return to normal campus activity after 10 days of isolation, you will need to be cleared to return to work by a physician and have gone at least 24 hours without symptoms, including no fever (without the use of fever-suppressing medications). Here are three examples: "When I introduce an assignment, I allow students to choose a breakout room. In accordance with the governors directive, access to residence halls for pick-up of personal items left over spring break is temporarily suspended while the campus and campus offices are closed to the public. As. Something I find quite moving: in recent days, so many students and families have asked how you can help peers in need.