COVID-19
Evolving through a Pandemic
Supporting the Student through Crisis
Dear Middle and Upper School Parents,
Well, it’s official: no more school through the end of the current school year—at least in the form that many of us have defined and experienced school for generations. This is what Governor Reynolds has declared and it is what most of us embrace as necessary. The Maharishi School buildings will remain closed, but we will continue our remote learning program for the balance of 2019-20.
For us as educators, it means that what we at first thought to be a temporary arrangement has now become reality, with Zoom rooms and website links and online platforms for submitting assignments and receiving feedback. As an independent school, we have much more flexibility than public schools in the way we offer “continuous learning” and the data indicates that our Maharishi School students are among the very few – about 2% – in the State of Iowa who are engaged in mandatory instruction. This is particularly significant for Upper School students, whose transcripts will be complete with grades and full credit for all of their courses at the end of the semester—and even for Middle School students, as they prepare to take on high school-level courses next semester fully prepared. In fact, we have not missed a beat, as teaching and learning have continued apace.
Having said all of this, we are fully aware that this approach to learning is not ideal. While some of our students have taken to screen school with aplomb and even a greater degree of confidence, others have reported that it is stressful and tiring to be on computers all day long—and that meeting their friends only virtually makes them feel their isolation more acutely. Let’s talk about the social-emotional wellbeing of our students. The stress and anxiety that adults experience are felt even more intensely by our adolescents, though they may express their feelings in ways that are hard to interpret and even downright exasperating.
As adults, we need to help our students/children reframe these challenging times in a way that is realistic, recognizes the grief and loss they are experiencing—but gives them hope for the future.
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Last week, in acknowledgment of the challenge and of the emotional toll this isolation is taking, I sent links to websites outlining the Hero’s Journey as a paradigm for channeling the highs and lows of this unprecedented time into a storyline that might help transform and redeem the experience. I even included a diagram that illustrated the stages of that journey for young people.
Shortly after I sent the mail to parents and staff, I received a reply from Ed Hipp, long-time friend of the school and golf coach extraordinaire. He gave me permission to quote him here, as I believe his poetic commentary will help all of us understand that, while we did not choose the circumstances, the journey itself is a choice:
I was a wee bit surprised to see the second beat in the journey left out of the diagram: the refusal of the call.
Not a big deal …
But distinguishing the refusal of the call can help us understand a lot of our behavior and reactions,
Especially in journeys like the current one in which most folks have an emotional resistance to the adventure because they don’t feel that they chose it …
But instead, they feel to be victims in it.
Also, it might help some folks use the journey in understanding their own process …
To know that sometimes the journey is not as linear an experience as the diagram might be taken to indicate.
The journey often wanders a bit, going backward and forwards, two steps forward and one step back.
… just a couple of whimsical offerings from the peanut gallery.
Blessings, Ed Hipp
These are profound insights indeed, and I want to thank Ed for sharing them.
On a more whimsical note, I recently came across this particular version of the journey, adapted for our circumstances, and shared by the creative writing department at MIU. You can substitute your own essential item if you are not a coffee drinker:
Apologies to Ed, since even this model leaves out the right of refusal—but we must find humor where we can.
But in all seriousness, we continue to be aware of how challenging our students (and you) are finding this form of learning—and it’s no walk in the park for our teachers either. We are finding ways to switch it up through “flipped classrooms” and by using features like break-out rooms and to connect with students individually through “office hours,” even when those hours come in the evening for students who have returned to their homes in China or Korea, where time differences mean many of their most important classes happen in the middle of the night.
We will be soliciting suggestions from you and from students this week, as we prepare to make changes in the schedule in response to expressions of fatigue and strain. The challenge has been that meeting the needs of seniors in AP Psychology will look quite different from adapting to the needs of seventh graders—so it may be that we create developmentally-appropriate variations. We are open to your suggestions and will share our decisions, so stay tuned!
Stay healthy and heroic!
Warm regards,
Kaye Jacob, Academic Director
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The New Classroom Experience
Remote Learning for all ages
Our remote learning program is mandatory for all students in Grades 1-12. Supplementary learning ideas and online interaction is also provided for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students.
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Safety First
Our Daily Lives Shift
Maharishi School will follow the guidelines set by the Iowa Department of Public Health. All academic school buildings are closed to visitors and students.
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The dormitory is open only to boarding students and residential staff: no visitors, friends, or faculty may enter the dorm. All on-campus gatherings and events with more than 10 people are canceled until further advised.
All students and families are asked to use social distancing guidelines and wear masks when going into public spaces.
Maharishi School shares its campus with the Maharishi International University and, therefore, complies with the MIU guidelines. All school families that leave Jefferson county as asked to self-isolate for 2 weeks upon return.
We have set up and equipped four residential facilities to serve as quarantine stations for those boarding students who are sick or might possibly have been exposed to the coronavirus. Maharishi School will provide 24-hour supervision for these students.
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Being Vulnerable Together
Support through emotional and financial strains
We are in new territory and we are in this together. Many in our school community, students, and adults alike may experience mental health challenges during this period of isolation and many may also experience financial hardships.
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As an institution, we are committed to supporting our families and students. Please communicate if your student needs time with our mental health counselor or if you need an alternative tuition payment plan. We also have many community members with glorious vegetable gardens who would be happy to share.
As a community, let’s commit to providing encouragement and support for each other, especially our students’ continued engagement in Remote Learning. Then, come next school year, we will look back on this strange time and see that we responded with tenacity, perseverance, and patience. As difficult as this may be, I hope we can also remember–and share with our children–the blessings we have in this Maharishi School community:
- The safety of a small town actively practicing social distancing.
- The minimal number of confirmed cases thus far.
- The ability to continue learning, with teachers’ dedication and our access to technology.
Not everyone in our country is as fortunate.
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FAQ’s
Academics
What is the schedule for remote learning?
The Middle and Upper School schedules cover all academic classes, project period, and PE. For the most up-to-date schedule, please contact Kaye Jacob (kjacob@maharishischool.org).
The Lower School schedule is unique for every grade using a combination of online classes and paper packets. For the most up-to-date schedule, please contact Lynn Shirai (lshirai@maharishischool.org).
PreKindergarten and Kindergarten students are given age-appropriate time with online learning and additional resource information provided to the families. Hallie Wilkins (hwilkins@maharishischool.org) can provide the schedule and assistance to support each student’s individual needs.
How will we support students in multiple time zones?
International students who have returned home are expected to connect with their Zoom classes and utilize Google Classroom to follow the syllabus, get assignments, submit homework, and communicate with the teacher. Should there be problems with connectivity or time zone, every class will be recorded and students may also contact their teachers during their office hours.
What if a student does not have access to high-speed internet access?
We work with each family and resolve their connectivity issues on a case-by-case basis. Some families have needed a loaner Chromebook. Others needed more paper-based, hands-on solutions to accommodate their child’s learning style. We have even found a donor to provide internet access to a family without. We are small enough to do whatever it takes to ensure each student has equal access to our remote learning program.
Will students receive letter grades?
Yes, all students will receive letters grades. Transcripts will be complete with grades and full credit for all of their courses by the end of the semester.
Are there any restrictions to a student‘s eventual return to campus? A new student’s entry to the campus?
Depending on how the COVID-19 situation evolves, students returning to campus from outside of Jefferson County may be asked to quarantine for 2 weeks before returning to campus for Fall 2020. We will notify returning boarding students and new students as soon as we clarify the requirements for a safe re-entry.
What steps are taking to keep COVID-19 from the campus?
Maharishi School shares a campus with Maharishi International University (MIU) so we are working together to maximize the safety of our campus, students and faculty/staff. The following protocol is being followed by both Maharishi School and MIU.
- Travel restriction — We have implemented a campus-wide travel ban outside of Jefferson County for all students and employees.
- Online teaching — As of Monday, March 23, our campus classes have shifted to online, in-room instruction.
- Restricted access — Only Maharishi School faculty/staff may enter the Maharishi School administrative and academic buildings. Only boarding students and residential staff may enter the Hildenbrand dormitory.
- Campus events — MIU has canceled all on-campus gatherings and events with more than 10 people. Maharishi School will continue with remote learning through the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. All Maharishi School extracurricular activities have been canceled.
- Recreation Center closed — To help compensate for this loss, a “Virtual Rec Center” has been developed with online PE sessions.
- Social distance — We are continuously reminding everyone to follow the recommended social distance guidelines of at least six feet from others and avoid mingling in groups.
- Self-care education — We are educating our families in common-sense measures of self-care. These include getting plenty of sleep and meditating regularly to keep the immune system strong, washing hands often with soap and water, no handshaking or hugs, etc. Check out our handwashing – Pioneer Style video.
- Staying home if unwell — We are requiring faculty/staff to stay home if they are not feeling well and to remain there for at least three days after all symptoms are gone.
- Isolation and quarantine facilities — We have set up and equipped four residential facilities to serve as quarantine stations for those who are sick or who might possibly have been exposed to the coronavirus.
- Visiting Fairfield — We are communicating with friends of the university around the country and asking them not to visit Fairfield at this time. We are also asking Fairfield residents to avoid coming onto campus.
Are students still required to complete their volunteer/service hours for the 2019-20 year?
The Community Service requirement for Upper School students for the 2019-2020 academic year has been waived.
Will I be able to meet with the college counselor during this remote learning period?
Yes! Mr. Walls is available and open to meeting during his office hours. He is incessantly dedicated to helping you and his attention on sharing college-related information is relentless. You may also communicate with him through email (jwalls@maharishischool.org) or the Maharishi School College Counseling Google classroom for students and parents.
I am scheduled to take AP courses this May. Will these proceed?
Yes, all AP exams will proceed: remotely and on a different schedule. Please confirm with your teachers on the revised schedules and the content changes.
On March 20, the College Board announced that the 2020 AP exams will be administered online; registered students will be invited to take the exams at home. For the College Board statement regarding this decision, see https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/coronavirus-updates.
On April 3, the College Board released more information regarding test dates and administration procedures. The Academic Office has shared relevant updates with all Maharishi School students who are registered to take AP exams. Maharishi School students and parents who have specific questions regarding the AP exams this spring should feel free to email Phil Benezra, pbenezra@maharishischool.org.
International Boarding Students
What happens to my F-1 status if I am not studying in the U.S. during part of the spring semester?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and to adjust its guidance as needed. On March 13, SEVP issued the following statement, which is relevant for Maharishi international students who have returned home:
If a school closes temporarily but offers online instruction or another alternative learning procedure, nonimmigrant students should participate in online or other alternate learning procedures and remain in active status in SEVIS. Given the extraordinary nature of the COVID-19 emergency, SEVP will allow F-1 students to temporarily count online classes towards a full course of study, even if they have left the United States and are taking the online classes from elsewhere.
How will my I-20 be updated?
Our Designated School Official will update the I-20, if necessary, and will send the updated I-20 by email to the student (with a copy to their parent).
What should I do if I am graduating and need to transfer my I-20 to a US college or university?
Graduating students must send Maharishi School a copy of their college acceptance letter and a transfer request form from the college/university. Our DSO will transfer your SEVIS record to the college/university after this information is received. This must be done before the students’ graduation date.
School Operations
What is open and what is closed on campus?
The Maharishi School dorm and Fieldhouse is open only to current boarding students. Visitors and faculty are not allowed to enter.
The academic and administrative buildings are open to faculty/staff only. Visitors and students are not allowed to enter for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
Will Maharishi School resume in-class learning for Fall 2020?
We are currently committed to resume in-class learning for Fall 2020. However, given the fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation, we will evaluate our plans regularly and alter our plan as needed. We will communicate directly with new and returning students and their families if changes are made to our plan.
In the meantime, if you have specific questions regarding your enrollment for Fall 2020, please contact Carol Chesnutt, Enrollment Management Director (cchesnutt@maharishischool.org) or Springli Johnson, Admissions Director (sjohnson@maharishischool.org).
Will Maharishi refund tuition in full or in part due to the change in learning programs?
At this time, Maharishi School is focusing its efforts on the safety and security of its faculty, staff, students, and families. The School, supported by the Board of Directors, will retain all faculty and staff on payroll.
The academic program continues for PreK-12th grade through remote learning and the residential program is fully operational for boarding students so the full tuition amount will continue to go towards operational costs and no refunds will be offered for the 2019-20 school year.
When are enrollment deposits due for the 2020-21 school year?
June 1, 2020
What if there are travel bans in August, 2020 that prevent international students from arriving on campus?
For 2020-21, Maharishi School is exploring the possibility of providing an online option for international students with high English language proficiency in the event there are travel bans. This could include supplementary 3rd party classes that Maharishi School would arrange, facilitate, and pay for. As soon as the travel bans are lifted, we expect students to arrive on campus in a timely manner. Depending on the 3rd party course requirements, the student will either continue with the 3rd party class until it is completed or transition into a Maharishi School course.
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