International Students will receive specific testing instructions in the next week to 10 days. Teachers can have an impact on. Coronavirus Thank-you Notes from the BU Community Resource Feedback But amidst the pain In addition, employees who work in positions identified by Human Resources as being in high-contact roles in which they may not be able to use mitigation strategies such as masks, physical barriers and social distancing at all times may be tested for COVID-19 before students return to campus. We will continue to reach out to you with updates and information we think you may find useful. A university-wide policy on travel reimbursements is posted online. COVID-19 Messages to Students (2020) | William & Mary With added pandemic pressure, grades are bound to slip. The universitys goal is to prioritize safety while offering as much in-person instruction as possible. Please watch your email for a link from the Testing Coordination Team. The correct time frame is between 36-72 hours of receipt of the test kit by the lab. Students moving to Richmond Hall should prepare personal items, books, laptop, phone, chargers, prescriptions and clothing to last approximately 14 days. So its important to be clear that W&M will be holding student groups and individual students accountable, as appropriate, when they do not comply. Rebates will be applied to your student account on or before Friday, April 10, through direct deposit or via check if you are not currently enrolled in direct deposit. Students will receive a window of time during which they can log on and select a check-in appointment. As with the fall semester, students are expected to quarantine eight days prior to returning to campus to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19. We must continue these measures with increased vigilance. We take this seriously, especially since the stakes for everyones health and safety are so high. The university has made the difficult decision to close all W&M residence halls (including apartments and the Graduate Complex) effective March 25 at 5:00 p.m. Any residential students still on campus will need to execute their personal emergency evacuation plan and move out of their residence hall by that time. The global novel coronavirus pandemic has William & Mary exploring how best to acknowledge the necessary changes to our current learning and working environments. Being away from our students has been a rude awakening, and were feeling all kinds of emotions. At last weeks Reconvened Session, the General Assembly approved the Governors recommendation to give state governing boards the authority to conduct business electronically beyond pandemic- related issues. ; Do not travel Any art. A new guidebook from the U.S. Department of Education urged districts to step up emotional support for their staff members, even as they focused intensely on supporting students traumatized by. These appropriate measures aim to slow spread and reduce incidence of COVID-19, which had risen at the end of this month. W&M requires all employees and all students registered for courses to sign the Healthy Together Community Commitment and complete public health training. These policies will be effective through at least April 3. Because we are solidifying plans and attending to critical logistics on a daily basis, you will continue to receive communications and updates from W&M between now and mid-August when the semester begins there is more to come. I just really miss them. Cory L. WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook. Residence Life will provide additional details and instructions about spring move-in: January 22: new students (transfer & freshmen), international students, freshmen who studied remotely in the fall, January 23-24: freshmen who lived on campus in the fall / international students. Teacher workspaces displayed to the class can incorporate student work along with new notes and work that can . A similar message was sent to the UW Tacoma community. Thank you again for your patience as William & Mary finalized the policy and processes that enabled us to issue student rebates. Emergencies. Social distancing protocols will be in place and we will require compliance with these actions. All residential students received an email communication on June 17 from the Office of Residence Life outlining new expectations and policies for on-campus living during this upcoming semester. Our obsession with marks teaches students that external achievement is the only path to success. I am confident we will be able to create a strong and supportive community. We all know that higher education prides itself in measured response and reflection. "The job of an educator is to teach students to see the vitality in themselves." Joseph Campbell 22. William & Mary is of one mind on this: we want to be together. Mehta says that while traditional in-person school can be exhausting for students required to be "on . Teacher motivation is closely linked to student motivation, and teachers who are motivated to teach can trigger students' motivation to learn. Thanks for your flexibility, resourcefulness, creativity, and kindness. Cases and Outbreaks in Schools - Template Letters | CDE So the deans, faculty, and staff are empowering each other to explore as many solutions as warranted for each discipline and each students learning situation. In that capacity, I write with an update on the spring semester. When it's dark, look for stars.". If you are experiencing dire financial need this semester, the university may be able to help. Ralph Northamannouncedyesterday he was lifting enhanced restrictions on the region. To that end, the university has developed a series of training videos to teach the community about COVID-19 and how to protect ourselves and others in a campus environment. I miss them. (Again, pending EMT hurricane guidance.). Please join us on Friday to hear more about how this week unfolded, from teachers and students perspectives. Special Celebrations and New Traditions Planned for this May We must also find meaningful ways to celebrate the Class of 2020 this spring. Many have written to me with reminders that William & Maryhas weathered extraordinary challenges in the past, with resilience. 100 Back-to-School QuotesFunny, Inspirational School Quotes - Parade Student tuition and fees make up our biggest source of revenue. Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility as we determine the best path forward. With the above in mind, I am writing today with updates about the Spring 2021 academic calendar. Students within a 30-mile radius of campus will also need to test negative. Editors note: Phased planning and increased understanding of COVID-19 has amended some information included in the July 14 message. By establishing a care network, we hope to lessen the complications of navigating the university system as you work to remain well or recover. Residential students will need to take good care of themselves and one another. We surely are living in unprecedented times, and Id like to take a moment to acknowledge the uncertainty that many of us are facing due to the rapid pace of change occurring not only at W&M, but also in our local communities, nationally, and globally. Against the unpredictable environment of COVID-19, we will do everything we can to continue to provide as much certainty as we can. In this as in other respects, Fall 2020 will be very different at W&M. They are based in our shared values of respect and flourishing, by which we empower those who live, learn and work here to make choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Over the past weeks and through next year, we strive to flatten the curve of the financial impact on W&M, our faculty, students and families, staffand region. We can do this but only if we are ALL IN together. Carry your keys and ID with you every time you leave the room. Kimberley is a Creative Director at WeAreTeachers. Instead, approach lower grades with compassion, and help kids find intrinsic motivation. Division I Athletics will operate within the policies of its governing bodies, the CAA and NCAA, and be subject to university health protocols. It is clear, given the continuing trajectory of the pandemic, that spring break will have to be different this academic year. Following CDC and Virginia Health Department guidelines for living together under pandemic conditions will bring unique challenges, such as mask wearing, physical distancing and many more adaptations to how we work and learn together. News that a few staff members originally reached out to him about doing something for their students. Do not test the resolve of this university to take swift action to prioritize the health and well-being of our campus and the Williamsburg community. This week, we have also made progress on key decisions regarding room, board, and parking costs. This virtual goodbye is not the forever goodbye, said Mills. I just really miss them. Cory L. I hope you are all safe and healthy. Even if you are unable to give in the same way as before, every gift, no matter the size, helps. During the Summarize phase, teachers and students share, discuss, and refine strategies and conjectures as a whole-class discussion. Please join me for more discussion on this and other topics at our next Town Hall meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5. So we will continue to share more details as they become available. William & Mary has held onto our pride in those qualities even as we have moved expeditiously to advance the three-part mission we cherish: teaching, learningand research. It is mandatory. We have heard the concerns expressed by many students and faculty about this falls compressed semester. Peggy Agouris, ProvostGinger Ambler, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dear William & Mary Community,Even as we move through the exam period for the spring semester, William & Mary is actively planning for the year ahead. This week, Governor Northam issued a stay-at-home order, running through June 10, 2020. We love our students like our own children and this separation is painful. Ginger Ambler____________________________Virginia M. Ambler 88, Ph.D. 06Vice President for Student AffairsWilliam & Mary. So we will wait until April for better clarity on how that may be achieved. Just get outside. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the best in many peoplepeople who have shown compassion and empathy and offered a helping hand to others during this extraordinary time. As we gather new information, we will continue to use these goals to guide our best judgment. Multilingual at Heart. Your goodwill, care and spirit of partnership are this universitys strength. We will continue to assess possible timelines in consultation with local public health officials, closely tracking the Commonwealths and our nations response. We must do all in our power to protect one another. Students Suffer. You are required to wear a face covering when in a classroom, lab or other instructional space. The health and safety of our community is our top priority, and I am proud to see so many students, faculty and staff abiding by our Healthy Together Community Commitment. Please continue to consult our website and FAQs daily, where we compile the most up-to-date information. Please note that these will once again be COVID-19 PCR nasal swab tests, the same as Round 2 of testing and current prevalence testing. You should make efforts to schedule your testing appointment around your class schedule, but if you cannot avoid a conflict, you will be excused from class. You can also access Kids Help Phone's e-mental health services 24/7 for support. Please bring your student ID, and wear a mask. As in the fall semester, students, faculty and staff who work closely with others will need to self-quarantine for eight days before returning to in-person activities on campus. Words of Encouragement | Springfield College If you are away from campus and have belongings in your room for which you have a critical need (medications, laptops) you must make plans to collect them by Wednesday, March 25, 5:00 p.m., as follows: If you need for someone else to retrieve your critical items for you: Email living@wm.edu from your official W&M email account and provide the following information: We will plan a full move out period from April 18-May 18, 2020. Teachers all over the world have an obligation to educate not only their learners but the general populace on the dangers of the pandemic and the measures to take. I am especially grateful to Williamsburgs Mayor and City Council in joining me to affirm how deeply we value our international graduate students, undergraduates, professional students, visiting faculty and staff honored members of our community whose presence strengthens William & Mary in every way. "Thank you teacher" | UNICEF Build a snow sculpture. As teachers close out the school year without the hugs, the in-person celebrations and even without the physical walk across the stage, one thing remains: the vision and hope from teachers to their beloved students. It is imperative that we all hold ourselves accountable for keeping our campus and neighbors safe: For those unwilling to follow the necessary health and safety protocols, it is important to be clear that there will be consequences for violations. Spikes in positive COVID-19 cases at other institutions came in the first few days after students arrived on campus, often as a result of large gatherings where mask-wearing and physical distancing expectations were ignored. Additional information about testing plans and protocols will be shared later this month details are being finalized in collaboration with a partnering third-party healthcare provider. The Office of Student Affairs is overseeing student support during this transition. With the exception of September 8, when well start at 9:30 a.m., testing will be available for students from 7:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. each day. These include final papers, individual or collaborative projects, and cumulative exams. Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public. While Virginia remains in Phase III, the fall is uncertain, and we recognize that families may not feel safe traveling here from elsewhere. Staff throughout the university are offering many services virtually and also ensuring that our campus remains safe and ready for our return. So teachers hope that students are doing this every single day. This is the time to show everyone what W&M students are capable of doing. Please enter the building at the ticket booth (glass) doors on the concourse level, at the corner of Ukrop Way and Compton Drive. Both the Provosts Office and Student Affairs want and need your real-time input concerning questions related to planning for the fall semester and beyond. Please use this. Extending the time between phases of return allows us to welcome new students in our community safely, helping them form connections. As we prepare to change our instructional delivery modes starting next week, we are expanding the pass-fail option for Spring 2020. From exercise, personal training, and yoga videos to mindfulness and creative art, we will be offering a wide range of resources to help you manage the stress and emotions that are a part of this new challenge. To return to normal campus activity after 10 days of isolation, you will need to be cleared to return to work by a physician and have gone at least 24 hours without symptoms, including no fever (without the use of fever-suppressing medications). We will continue to work through these and other consequential steps in measured ways. Exam proctoring is something W&M regularly offers and uses to meet needs of specific students and/or courses. Editors note: Phased planning has amended some information included in the Aug. 10 message. Students who need accessibility accommodations to fully participate in the fall semester campus housing, curricular offerings, etc. Any remaining credit will be disbursed to you. Above all, working and learning in company strengthens the deep human connections we prize at William & Mary.With these values in mind, we have much work to do to assess the adaptations to campus and curriculum that will be needed next year. 3. Cognitively: studying together speeds and deepens learning in myriad ways. Beginning tomorrow, September 8, William & Mary will launch on-site testing for our students. So we share our expectations for accountability below. Today, we are announcing rebates for the spring semester, for eligible students, as follows. Be well,Amy SebringVice President for Finance and Technology. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. COVID-19-induced anxiety can make learning and information retention difficult. But my kids are trying and were doing the best that we can to get the needs met of the kids.. Besides saying they miss their students, nearly every teacher used the word love in their response. Our Wonderful Students: I hope this message finds you and all you love doing well. Thank you for helping to safeguard the health of your fellow W&M students, as well as faculty, staff and members of our neighboring community. COVID-19 poses an unprecedented threat to public health; so too this pandemic threatens the financial health of millions of households and institutions around the globe. Student must maintain a 6-foot physical distance when interacting with people other than those with whom they share their immediate living unit. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government closed all New York City public schools last week. We have had our last classes, at least one professor put on her regalia and said lets celebrate the graduating students, said Interim Dean-Designate Lillian Mills for the McCombs School of Business. The semesters in-person classes abruptly ended due to health orders put in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. One key aspect of this program is COVID-19 prevalence testing, by which random samples of students and employees are chosen periodically to take COVID-19 tests so the university can rapidly assess potential community spread. Teachers Share Uplifting Message to Their Students Amid Coronavirus Pandemic In these trying times, this school staff has gone the extra mile to make sure their students know they are. Staff members in that office are experienced in supporting students who have accessibility needs, including students who are immunocompromised. Please share your suggestions via our question box. 23 September 2020. If you, yourself, are a dorm resident who is having difficulty with your plan for moving out by Wednesday and you have not notified the Dean of Students Office, please do so right away by clicking here. As for how the video came together, PrincipalGeorge Rauh explained to E! Programs or events sponsored by the university or student groups will continue to be limited to 50 people, with required masks and physical distancing. Residence halls will not reopen this semester. Students may also opt to return to their permanent homes/families as they await results. In these trying times, this school staff has gone the extra mile to make sure their students know they are missed. Note: Students are limited to registering for 16 credits until add/drop begins. "One child, one teacher, one pen and one book. And please download the W&M Wellness App to stay current on all events and resources., While William & Mary is operating on a modified academic schedule, all the departments of the Dean of Students Office are available via phone (757) 221-2510 and email. Other measures being taken to mitigate risks as students and employees return to campus this fall will be discussed at a community Town Hall scheduled for July 20. messages from teachers during COVID-19 pandemic Ralph Northam announced another option for those looking to serve the greater good: an opportunity to join the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps. Other options shall be submitted to the COVID Response Team for approval. Best wishes as W&M moves forward into this new virtual educational environment. Show thanks for teachers working even harder during COVID pandemic All domestic students are expected to self-quarantine for eight days before arriving on-campus; students coming from international destinations must self-quarantine per CDC Guidelines (currently 14 days). A Weekend for Commencement Celebration: October 9-11, 2020 Please hold the long weekend of October 9-11, 2020 as this years Commencement Weekend in Williamsburg. In March, we set out goals that were simple to describe yet incredibly difficult to achieve in such an uncertain and constantly changing environment. An archive of messages sent to William & Mary students about the university's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouraging Message for Students During Difficult Times From Lisa Shatz In 2020, they also have to deal with. As previously noted, we strongly advise all students to physically leave campus if they can. Masks must be worn outside unless you are engaged in an activity where you can consistently maintain a distance of 6 feet from others. We will continue to work to ensure that we follow the science as we enhance our testing capacity. All requirements apply to both indoor and outdoor co-curricular activities and spaces. -- Ed. Questions can still be submitted to us at COVIDResponse@wm.edu. Yet, understandably those at greater risk worry about how consistently young adults will be able to adhere to these guidelines, on and off campus. The heart of Round Rock ISD teacher, Natalie Wieland, has been with her students since what was thought would be a short break away turned into an indefinite stay at home learning model. NOTE: W&Ms on-campus residency requirements notwithstanding, any freshman or sophomore student electing a fully-remote curriculum may be released from their campus housing contract with no penalty in order to reside at their permanent home address for the fall semester. Just days before New Jersey GovernorPhil Murphyannounced schools in the state will remain closed for this academic year, staff from a Bridgewater elementary school virtually banded together to spread an uplifting message to their students. Yet it is within our control to limit the spread of this virus. Those who did not make a selection by that date were automatically enrolled in the Gold 19 plan. On March 12, 2020, Virginias Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic that is ongoing. It is equally disruptive for faculty and staff.