The philosophy of Bishop's Distance Learning is very similar to what we do when we are on campus. We believe that:

• The primary value of a Bishop’s education is the high quality of the relationships that students develop with each other and with their teachers. We use synchronous class time to foster these relationships and asynchronous time for deeper thinking.
• Distance learning cannot replicate exactly what happens in our physical classrooms. By emphasizing high engagement in our synchronous and asynchronous approaches, we best promote student growth and learning.
• Time does not have the same meaning in a distant learning environment and to support community health and well-being, we must establish clear boundaries on time expectations and the need to be on screens.
• The role of the teacher to curate content and design learning opportunities connected to student experience has never been more important.
• Clear and frequent communication, both “face-to-face” verbally and in writing, fosters a sense of security and trust in an online environment.

As we transition to teaching and learning in an online space, there will likely be a spectrum of responses from students. We would like parents to be on the lookout for signs that your child may be struggling. If you notice any changes in your child, please contact a trusted Bishop’s adult to let them know. Start with your child’s advisor, or Megan Broderick, Michael Beamer, Janice Murabayashi, David Thompson, Harlan Klein or Brian Ogden. These adults communicate with our student services team, who will help to develop, communicate and follow up on a support plan for your child.