The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the country, in the world, and the educational system. However, amidst this challenge, education must continue. Every child must not lose every opportunity to thrive, learn, grow and develop.

It is a fact that nothing replaces teacher-student contact time. However, the health and safety of our children is paramount during these uncertain times. St. James Academy, true to its mission of providing Catholic Christian quality education, is implementing LIVE in SJA: Learning Independently in a Virtual Environment, the Distance ONLINE Learning for the SY 2020-2021. It is designed to provide an equitable learning experience to our students in the new set up. It also aims to create an environment that promotes the school’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives,

As we are grappling in the pandemic, we are presented with a great opportunity to strengthen the partnership between the school and the home in the education of the children. Moreover, this presents many occasions for the children to be self-directed as they learn on their own time, place, and pace.

The teachers and school personnel are preparing and working immensely to support the children by providing them quality instruction and service in a completely different way.

This pandemic calls for a collaborative effort. We are one in this journey. We arise above this condition. Together, we can do this!

LIVE in SJA requires vocabulary words for better understanding.

Distance Online Learning
refers to education delivered through internet

Online Learning Platform
refers to the interactive online service that supports learning

Synchronous Method
refers to the actual online meetings (real-time) of the students with their respective teachers and classmates on the agreed time

Asynchronous Method
refers to a method in which teachers and learners do not need to be online at the same time. Learners are given learning materials for independent study

Learning Management System
refers to the online platform used by teachers and learners to plan, implement, and assess learning

Flexible School Time: Offline Enrichment Activities
refers to the offline class where students accomplish enrichment activities during asynchronous sessions

LIVE in SJA is designed to meet the learning styles and needs of the students.

A. Features:

• The students’ online class schedule provides balance considering their needs, interests and environment.  Screen time, attention span, parents’ presence and internet connectivity are also taken into consideration.
• The online class is scheduled in the morning. The lessons may be delivered synchronously or asynchronously in each meeting.
• The Flexible School Time: Offline Enrichment Activities are scheduled in the afternoon. It is self–paced learning in which students can take their time and set their own schedule instead of working within structure that was set for them by the teacher. The student will accomplish the school work (assignments, book exercises, task sheets, journals, projects and performance tasks on his/her convenient time.
• The students will be given the opportunity to work collaboratively with their online classmates.
• Students encountering internet connectivity problem will be provided with offline tasks sheets. The parents will pick them up from the school on the agreed time.
• The first week will be spent for students’ orientation which includes the use of the LMS, routines, policies, roles and responsibilities, code of conduct, services, and grading system.
• The guidance center will provide mental health and psychosocial support activities for the first week. 
• Parents will be equipped with the needed information in navigating the school’s LMS so children can be assisted at home.

B. Daily Activities

• The students are required to check-in via the LMS Attendance Tracker by 8:00 AM every school day.
• The checking of attendance will be followed by the virtual morning ceremony which includes the reciting of morning praise, singing of the Philippine national anthem, and praying of the rosary.

LIVE in SJA is designed to provide equitable learning to students.

CONTENT

The competencies in each discipline are aligned with DepEd’s MELCs. They cover the essential learning competencies that learners need to succeed in life.

DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION

Instruction is a combination of synchronous or asynchronous methods. In synchronous instruction, learners work and meet at the same time. Lectures and lesson are delivered through online conference.

In asynchronous instruction, learners start and end at his own pace and convenience. However, a specified time or schedule is given.  Asynchronous activities are delivered through LMS.

Parents and guardians are provided with a schedule that shows the days and time of synchronous and asynchronous classes.

GRADING/ ASSESSMENT

A grading system is designed to assess the learners’ mastery of skills and competencies.

• The grading system is focused on providing the following:
  • authentic assessment
  • regular opportunities for students to engage in meaningful learning activities
  • regular feedback to learners (rubric scoring, formative assessment, summative assessment, and reflective assessment)
• The preschool will be divided into two semesters.
• The grade school and junior high school will be divided into four quarters
• The senior high school will still be divided into two semesters.

Conduct Grade

The conduct grade will be based on the behaviour of the students online. Their behaviour in accomplishing the given tasks will also be considered in the conduct grade.

Note:

• Award recognition will be given to students who exemplified exceptional performance. However, quarterly rankings will not be announced.
• Overall ranking at the end of the school year will still be computed.

LIVE in SJA is centered on the holistic formation of students.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION PROGRAM

In this trying time, the school provides opportunities that nurture the students’ relationship with God. This will be made possible by providing learners with online religious activities like masses, recollections prayers, devotions, and religious practices.

Students will also be engaging in outreach programs to give them the opportunity to help others in need.

STUDENT ACTIVITY PROGRAM

The program intends to develop learners holistically through varied and relevant activities that aim to hone their skills, gifts and talents. Clubs will still be available to students. Through this, students will still have time to socialize with their schoolmates and friends through Virtual Club Meetings. Co-curricular activities will be delivered via synchronous and/or asynchronous methods.

GUIDANCE SERVICES

The Guidance Center will provide psycho-emotional support to students through online counselling, routine interviews, and peer counselling. During Guidance period, the guidance counselor will assist the students how to sit with the uncertainty that they are currently facing due to this pandemic and eventually cope with their emotional responses. It will also provide emotional lift to students with concerns.

LIBRARY SERVICES

The library will provide online resources for academic and recreational use.

HOMEROOM PROGRAM

The homeroom adviser plays a vital role in the online environment. A Homeroom period is provided to help the students respond to day to day challenges through engaging online and offline activities.

During homeroom period, the adviser will meet their advisory class via a video-conference.

CONSULTATION PERIOD

There will be a regular consultation period with the class adviser and/or subject teachers. This aims to monitor the students’ condition. Consultations may be done by an individual or in small groups. During consultation periods, the class adviser will coordinate with the students to monitor the students’ academic status, the responses of the students to the daily learning process and activities as well as their performance. An appointment may be set by the student with the class adviser if there is a need to do a consultation beyond the scheduled time. 

This period gives the students the opportunity to be provided an emotional lift as they navigate the online learning.

HEALTH SERVICES

Online consultations with parents’ consent are provided to students by the school doctors and nurses by appointment. 

Here are sample schedules of online classes:

KINDER

St. Raphael 1

KINDER

St. Raphael 2

NURSERY

Sto. Niño 1

Sto. Niño 2

PRE-NURSERY

St. Exequiel

St. Gabriel

PRIMARY (Grades 1- 3) 

INTERMEDIATE (Grades 4- 6)

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 7-10)

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 11 – 12)

The learning structure of LIVE in SJA ensures the maximum use of learning time and provision of engaging and meaningful lessons, activities, tasks to the students.

LIVE in SJA underscores the partnership between the parents and teachers.

A. PARENTS’ AND GUARDIANS’ ROLES

1. Show support for the learning of your children.
2. Ensure that all learning materials necessary to complete their online tasks are ready and complete.
3. Provide a learning space or an environment conducive to learning making sure it is quiet, free from distractions, and has internet connection.
4. Check and monitor your child’s daily tasks making sure all tasks are accomplished.
5. Encourage self-direction.
6. Reach out to the class adviser via email.
7. Establish a good relationship with teachers, administrators, and school.
8. Observe the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (R.A. 10173) by not posting, sharing, and uploading photos and videos taken during online classes. 

1. 1. Observe agreed and appropriate time for learning.
   2. Always check and monitor online platforms.
   3. Attend and participate to all the synchronous interactions with teachers.
   4. Find a conducive place with internet connection in the house for studying and learning.
   5. Always observe academic honesty in accomplishing provided tasks and school activities.
   6. Always observe the provided timeline in accomplishing tasks and /or due dates.
   7. Ask questions for clarifications and understanding.
   8. Reach out to your teacher when you need help.
   9. Follow procedures, instructions, rules, policies and code of conduct. 
      

                Expected Behaviours During Synchronous Meeting

1. 1. 1. Respect other’s point of view.
      2. Give comments related to the lessons.
      3. Use appropriate language at all times.
      4. Give full attention to the speaker.
      5. Never take a picture or record anyone without his/her knowledge and consent.
      6. Never upload inappropriate messages, content to the discussion forums.
      7. Dress appropriately during the meeting.

C. TEACHERS’ ROLES

1. Follow curriculum requirements set by the Department of Education and the school.
2. Design online lessons that are relevant, engaging, and vibrant.
3. Plan instruction that is appropriate to the present situation.
4. Monitor and assess students’ performance and learning needs.
5. Respond to students’ concerns, problems, and queries.
6. Provide immediate feedback to students and parents.
7. Check the online attendance and participation.

D. ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATORS’ ROLES

1. Check and approve learning plans for online deliveries
2. Support teachers / staff in the delivery of the online lessons.
3. Ensure the implementation and evaluation of the delivery of instruction.
4. Monitor and guide teachers to ensure the quality of online program.

Jamers are expected to display proper behaviour even on the online environment. Disciplinary measures have to be put in place to reinforce the smooth flow of online classes and to protect the students and the name of the school.

The policies are adjusted to respond to the current set-up.

 Should you have any concerns, clarifications, or questions you may email the person/office concerned.

Other pertinent information will be communicated to parents and students through the website, official FB account and class advisers.