Lori Walters covered Zoom etiquette for everyone prior to the ringing of the bell. She mentioned she wants to be sure all the members who haven’t been attending the Zoom meetings know they are welcome, and asks everyone to reach out to those they know and encourage them to participate. If they have technical questions, Lori will help.
President Rosemarie Rowney rung the bell, Tom Strode played God Bless America, everyone was encouraged to sing along.
Inspiration was delivered by Leo Shedden inspired by Art Holst, a former Rotarian who passed away last year. We are enriched by the nonprofits in our areas that we support, which exist because of for-profit businesses. Their support provides financial and volunteer support. So we celebrate non-profits and the for-profits that enable them.
Downs Herold led the summer camp song for the sing-a-long, wants us to return to being a “singing club” and not just a “listening club.” In being in line with our emphasis on education, he has selected “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” which has a history from the 1700s and Bonnie Prince Charlie Stewart who was trying to take the crown of England. This rendition included a lot of waving on “b” words.
President Rowney thanked all the coordinators and workers for their work to make this meeting possible: – Lori Walters, John White, Sara Maddock, Jim Egerdal; Photographer Fred Beutler; Reporter Paula Brown; and Attendance: Barbara Eichmuller, Agnes Reading. She also recognized those celebrating birthdays this week.
President Rowney shared our sympathies to Betsy Hammond for the passing of Rotarian John Hammond. John was an enthusiastic member, with a heart for Polio Plus. We knew him as a kind and gentle man, and represented the Four Way Test through his work as a Rotarian and as a judge. A moment of silence was observed in his memory.
President Rowney announced the golf and tennis outing, our major fundraiser has been cancelled to return in September 2021. Joanne Pierson presented an alternate event based on a poll of members, Italian Wine Night via Zoom in collaboration with Pisano’s, scheduled for August. There will also be an online auction toward the end of the year.
President Rowney has asked the Peace and Social Justice Committee to take on the issue of racial equity and justice. Marcia Lane reported a letter on behalf of the district went to about 1,500 members calling for racial justice in unity. The committee feels this needs to be an ongoing effort for lasting change if we are to uproot racial injustice. The letter also reminds everyone Rotary is non-political, and is working to engage dialogue around the subject. Members are encouraged to look at the letter and explore the suggestions outlined, join the group that interests you and report back to the Club. If you are interested in joining the group coordinating this effort, contact Marcia. Rosemarie feels this is important and encourages everyone to get involved.
Norma Sarkar reported on the RCAA Pandemic Response Fund. The Campaign ended May 31st. Thanks to donations and redirected funds, we qualified for a $6,000 match for a total of $62,000 raised. She thanked everyone for making this possible, and shared a list of all the disbursements made so far, including two new gifts to Hope Clinic and Avalon Housing. The remaining balance is $12,335 which will be disbursed in August. The committee will continue to look at community need, including what’s happening with schools, to inform this decision.
Norma reminded everyone of the Rotary Virtual Convention is Saturday.
Dennis Powers introduced today’s speaker, John Huber, Head of School at Emerson School to talk about How Schools are Adapting to Distance Learning in the Face of Coronavirus. Peter Fayroian, Head of School at Greenhills School was unable to be with us due to a family emergency. Dennis noted the Governor just announced at noon that she is optimistic schools will be able to open in some capacity in the fall.
John began by sharing there wasn’t a lot of time to prepare. In March, asked parents to keep kids home for faculty to meet and plan. He did not know that would be the last day for students. He then shared a humorous video on how faculty felt about this transition to distance learning.
Emerson School, 300 students for academically talented and gifted, young 5’s to 8th grade. Like Greenhills, Emerson is an independent school, which allows for more flexibility than public schools. They are able to personalize support. One of the first things they recognized is the need for technology expertise to help staff and parents. Parents aren’t always comfortable with experimentation.
John presented the 5 Realities of Teaching and School: 1) children learn best in small groups with face-to-face instruction; 2) Instruction needs to be broken into units and segments, not in long stretches; 3) children are also learning socialization skills, difficult to do virtually; 4) experienced teachers have a large “toolbox” on ways to work with children and respond to challenges; 5) school serves as child care so parents can work.
How are students feeling? One boy described the experience like Pistol shrimp that must stay at least 9 millimeters away from each other to live. This is difficult for them. Emerson’s plan was to create daily lessons that require 2-way communication and interaction. Mondays are Community Day for socialization, enrichments, physical/social/emotional/mental health. This is good for students and faculty. It also allows for planning and scheduling time for teachers. Tuesday-Friday are Instructional Days. To feel normal, the routine for distance learning mirrored what they would be doing in school.
Other ways to keep students going:
- Delivered graduation lawn signs to 2020 graduates
- Attendance was required
- Grades were given when requested, otherwise they followed State mandate
- Parent/Teacher Conferences were successful virtually
- School auction was cancelled with 24 hours’ notice, turned into a take-out dinner
What did they learn:
- Technology needs to be simplified for student independence
- Content time is king
- Focus in the morning best, can’t be on Zoom all day
- Advisories and homeroom check-ins very important
- There’s never enough communication
Returning on-site likely means working at half-capacity than normal to maintain safe distancing. The are looking at all spaces to accommodate as many students as possible. There are many unknowns at this time, they are working on different scenarios. They anticipate parents will allow their children to return in waves, which means schools won’t have to be at capacity the first week, growing over time. Also looking at a a combination of remote / onsite learning with a teacher handling each group.
Questions to consider: How do parents feel about sending their children back, and they’re not able to be on campus with them? How will the faculty feel about returning? John addressed questions from members in the Chat area. He recognized Emerson has advantages that give them more resources to respond to students’ needs and is unsure how public schools will be adapting.
Rosemarie thanked John for his insightful presentation and for being an active member of the Club. Next week speaker will be Michael Michelon, Executive Director, Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Challenges Confronting Performing Arts Organizations in the Age of Coronavirus.
President Rosemarie ended the meeting with the quote, “Children are the silent messengers that we send to a time and place where we will never be.” The bell was rung and the meeting adjourned.
