COVID-19 Response
Dear Real Life Families,
The academy administration has put together a few questions and answers for your reference.Please let us know if you have any specific questions and always know you can reach out to me at Dawn.engle@real.life and Charles at Charles.williams@real.life.
What happens next week?
As of yesterday, all schools will be closed until April 15th , returning to school on April 16th . Of course as you know this can and may change. We will keep you abreast.
What will instruction look like?
Next week our staff will be working, making preparations for online instruction to begin on March 30th. Real Life Christian Academy believes deeply in the value of direct instruction from a highly qualified teacher, and we will try to replicate that experience in the best way possible given an online platform. Online instruction will not simply be worksheets and writing assignments. We want to continue to offer an excellent learning experience, focusing primarily on core subjects through the utilization of Google Classroom for upper school and Schoology for lower school. Our Google Classroom and Schoology online instruction will have the following mainfeatures:
- Clear, easy to follow lesson plans provided at the beginning of every week
- Every Monday, for as long as we are out, there will be a new set of plans.
- Classroom notes (if necessary) for each lesson.
- Video lessons (if necessary) from your child's teacher to provide clear instruction and directions.
- Easy access to teachers through email and/or communicative access
- All assessments and grading will also be available.
What about internet access or technology availability?
Upper school having a 1 to 1 technology platform in place will lend to easy access. Internet may be a bit trickier. I received an email this morning that Spectrum is offering free Wifi for the next 2 months in order to help families in need of such. I would encourage families without internet access to take advantage of this offer. For lower school, we chose Schoology as the online platform because it is accessible without being tied to a student email. It is available with easy access through one simple portal. You should be receiving an email about this from your child’s teacher next week. This is where all instruction, assignments, and communication will live. If you have technical needs, please email our tech staff at rlca.support@real.life.
Will we have to make up missed days?
State law requires schools to be in session for 170 days; the RLCA calendar provides for 176 days of instruction. Once we begin online instruction, those days count as instructional days, so we will likely not have to make up any time. We anticipate school ending as scheduled on May 22nd. Of course, all this is uncharted territory, so circumstances could change.
What about extra-curricular activities and planned field trips?
As long as the day school is closed, consider all extra-curricular activities, practices, and field trips cancelled. Once school is back in session, events will be reviewed on an individual basis.
What kind of assistance will Real Life be offering by way of counseling during this time?
What about the Stanford Achievement testing?
Heather Alexander, our Director of Student Services and her team will be available to any students or families in need of counsel or direction in terms of therapy or tutoring questions. As of now, our Stanford Achievement testing will be postponed until day school resumes. She will communicate further details on this as necessary. Heather’s email is heather.alexander@real.life.
Will there be anyone at school to answer phone calls for further direction?
Mary Gunter, our front desk receptionist will be posted on campus to field any and all calls to our academy. The school will not be accessible during the time of closure. We are taking this time to deeply disinfect our school and want to stay protective of clean and sanitized surfaces until school resumes.
What about enrollment and admissions for new students?
Resuming March 23rd , Amy Lowry, Admissions Director, will be working remotely and will be available by email. If you have an appointment for student testing you may still plan to keep that appointment. Mrs. Lowry will be reaching out to you prior to your appointment to confirm. If you have any admissions questions (new enrollment or reenrollment) please feel free to email Mrs. Lowry at admissions@real.life. If you have Step Up Scholarship or Finance questions, please email Angelica Bailey at abailey@getreallife.com.
Please let us know if you have any questions. We will be touching base through phone calls to every family in the next couple of weeks. We are in prayer with you and for you during this time.
God Bless,
As always, please reach out to us anytime.
Lower School Principal Mrs. Dawn Engle
Upper School Principal Dr. Charles Williams
Academy Elder John Wilson