Neighbor News
Cocheco Academy of The Arts - Remote Learning? We Do That!
As local schools scramble to find new ways to educate, CATA keeps moving forward without a hitch.
As local school leadership meets this week to find alternative ways to educate their students because of the ongoing health threat from Covid-19 and instructions from Governor Sununu to move to a remote learning model, Cocheco Academy of The Arts started virtual learning on Monday, March 16th.
How did we do it so quickly? CATA has been using virtual learning days for the past 10 years to cover us during bad weather days or other incidents that prevent our students from attending school.
Our students know the drill pretty well. Wake up, check our learning management system, find the link to their Google Meet class and off they go, virtually. Teachers present the same work in their virtual classrooms, discussions still happen, homework is still assigned. We just do it in the comfort of our own homes.
The key for us is to have our students buy-in, so to speak. Since our virtual days are real school days, they count toward our 180 instructional days a year. Our staff doesn't "phone it in" but rather teach the same way they would in the classroom. Students use their cameras -- on days they're not feeling shy, and microphones. Teachers do the same. Classes can be accessed by phone if necessary both as a dial in or using the Google Meet App.
Find out what's happening in Exeterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
We know we're in a period of prolonged remote and virtual learning but we see very little disruption to our regular schedule. Our Student Government is still meeting, our Fundraising Club is still meeting and many of our staff, including our school counselor have open office hours - just in a virtual setting.
As a school with an emphasis on arts and music we'll pivot as needed and we'll do everything in our power to continue to meet the needs of our diverse community of students.
-----
Cocheco Academy of The Arts is still accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Visit our website for more details and to download an application or email Admissions@cochecoarts.org . Student shadow days are on hold until we're back in session.
