Questions Parents Wonder About Regarding School Re-Opening

From our recent Open House sessions, we receive certain frequently asked questions from prospective parents. More detailed information exists on the FAQs page of CELC’s website. I have tried here to summarize in response to a few of the recently asked questions:

What is the focus of the CELC curriculum?

Information is “Google-able”. The CELC curriculum includes a vast amount of information, yet the emphasis is more about how a student responds to that information, rather than just being able to memorize or regurgitate for a test. CELC fosters expanding curiosity, meeting challenges, creative thinking, and problem solving. When the focus is more about learning how to think and learning how to learn, with an emphasis on exploration and application of ideas, students thrive in this way; a CELC education does just this. These are the kinds of skills and aptitudes needed for the 21st- and 22nd-century citizen.

How does it work in the classroom with mixed-age groups?

The age range from 9 -14 varies greatly in terms of individual skills and abilities, based on experience, learning style, and so many other factors. This developmental period is an incredible time of growth and therefore does not lend itself to a one-size-fits-all approach. Students all benefit from being part of a mixed-age group. Within this setting there naturally occurs modeling, mentoring, collaboration, and interaction in a hands-on, minds-on way. A small learning community provides a student with individualized attention, which fosters awareness of one’s specific areas of focus, which then allows for building and strengthening.

What happens if the state or other school systems have to shut down due to COVID – what does CELC plan to do or have to do?

CELC will continue to follow the guidance of the scientists and medical experts guiding this situation. While we are not obligated to move to fully remote learning based on a any one school system’s decision, we will do so if and when the safety of our learning community requires this, and of course if it is state mandated for all.

What are your COVID-safety protocols?

We have not only put plans in place, but have now had the opportunity to apply these safety procedures during our 7-week in-person summer program held during July and August. These include temperature checks and a health questionnaire before entering the building; wearing of masks while indoors and selectively while outdoors based on ability for healthy spacing; regular hand washing and use of hand sanitizer; healthy spacing for indoor classroom seating. For our fall opening, we will add Plexiglass dividers to each table, as well as an outdoor tent to incorporate an additional outdoor classroom setting. More details are provided on the “safe-reopening plan” page on the CELC website.

With a 6:1 student:teacher ratio, CELC Middle School provides personalized instruction both in the classroom and outside of the classroom in a complete range of subject areas. Our methodology of employing in and out of classroom instruction in a multidisciplinary, hands-on program engages and motivates our students to achieve results that are transformational to each student’s life.

For 2020/2021 we developed three options from which to choose for families to have their children safely educated.

1. 5 Days Per Week Onsite Program – Regular CELC Hours
   1. Classroom configuration to ensure healthy spacing
   2. Limited spaces available for the on-site program – first come, first served for these spaces
2. On-Site Program and Remote Learning Combination
   1. Select specific day(s) and times when your child is on-site in combination with remote learning
   2. For those days when your child is not on-site, active participation in CELC’s learning community via our remote learning module
3. Remote Learning
1. Your child is an active participant in CELC’s learning environment, receiving a robust academic and social/emotional educational experience via our innovative remote learning module.

Limited Openings for 2020-2021 academic year are still available. For more information, please contact mandm@CTEXperiential.org or call 203.433.4658. Visit CTExperiential.org for more information.