#KRConnected: Campus Closure and Virtual Learning

Updated 4/20/20

Dear King’s Ridge Christian School Community,

The coronavirus may have temporarily changed many things we value, but it can never take away the love we have for one another or our faith in a God that gives us cause for hope even in the midst of uncertainty. We must lean on what we know to be true about the God we serve, the God who “is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9-10).

Thank you for another great week of work with virtual learning. Students have been challenged and are trying their best in this new reality. Here are some important things you need to know as we enter the final weeks of this semester:

What to expect on Fridays moving forward:

Lower School – Fridays will be a regular day of learning. With young children, we feel they need to be in a predictable routine. We will be adding a Fun Friday Challenge where the special area teachers and Mrs. Gammage will be encouraging students to create sidewalk chalk signs, yard signs, and door signs offering encouragement to their friends and neighbors.

Middle School – Fridays are being used to wrap up the academic week. It will conclude with Advisement time to allow students to connect with one another and their advisors in order to retain the sense of community that many students need during this time.

Upper School – We are focusing our attention on providing time and opportunity for relationship and fellowship with faculty and students. Faculty are engaging students in virtual small group meetings to connect and weekly Chapel is a time of praise and worship together. Fridays also offer a chance for students to complete their assignments (if needed) and participate in tutorials with faculty.

We have worked with our food service provider, SAGE Dining Services, to reduce their cost while our campus is closed. As a result of our collaborative efforts, we are able to provide a refund of $205 per student for food service savings in April and May. We will provide a credit on your FACTS account that will be applied to any outstanding 2019-2020 FACTS charges with the remainder of the credit applied to the KRCS ONE fee for 2020-2021. For those who have not re-enrolled by May 1, KRCS will generate a check for this refund (less any outstanding 2019-2020 FACTS charges). If you have re-enrolled but would prefer to receive a check now rather than the credit, please contact Jen Cook by May 1 to request a check.
As we prepare to conclude the school year, I wanted to share some dates for you to plan accordingly.

The last day of school for seniors will be May 8, 2020.

The last day of school for all other students will be May 15, 2020.

AP course exams will be administered online May 11-22, 2020, by the College Board.

Middle School and Upper School students will not have final exams. We want to maximize instruction and will use the time accordingly.

The week of May 18 will be an opportunity for safe collection (per social distancing guidelines) of textbooks and athletic items as well as collection of items students may have left in their locker or classroom. We will be sharing more details as we get closer to the week of May 18.

Beginning May 22, teachers will issue final grades and student narratives. Each building level will communicate via email the avenue of distributing the reports.

10-month faculty and staff last day of work will be May 22, 2020.

As of today, we plan to offer summer school programs and LS/MS summer camps in some form with the details still being planned.

We are awaiting to hear from GHSA to determine if we can have our summer sports camps. We will notify you as soon as we receive more information.

As you are aware, we are unable to conduct our end-of-year school events in their traditional forms due to the Governor's Executive Orders. We are in a state of constant flux and are trying to make decisions accordingly and communicate them to you in a timely manner. Significant planning and preparation must take place and not knowing if we can even conduct these events creates a unique dilemma we are seeking to overcome.

4th Grade Promotion and 8^th Grade Promotion will be done virtually the week of May 11. A special keepsake gift will be given out the week of May 18.

Seniors, no matter which outcome, will receive their diploma, keepsake cap and gown, and other special items. More importantly, I know that we, as a community, will ensure our Class of 2020 is congratulated and celebrated. I am incredibly proud of each of them. Please be assured that we will be communicating more information concerning their events as local, state, and federal authorities update their safety measures on public gatherings.

We plan to have school face-to-face in 2020-2021 with the first day of school being August 12, 2020. Convocation will start at 8:30 a.m. in the Student Center. It will be a great celebration.

May I ask for your help?

First, would you be willing to reach out to a faculty member and an administrator each week? Many faculty are balancing this new world of virtual learning with the educational needs of their children at home. Just a word of encouragement and support would be a wonderful lift to their spirits especially during this time.

Second, would you be willing to share the the great things about KRCS with others? As I mentioned at the Head of School Coffee events earlier this spring, we are tuition-driven. Our mission appropriate enrollment is monumental to the success of our school. Sharing about your experiences with your neighbors or posting on social media the things you love about KRCS goes a long way especially for families that are not having good experiences at their current institutions.

We will continue to provide updates by email and on our dedicated COVID-19/virtual learning website page. You can also email questions to Coronavirusinfo@kingsridgecs.org

Lastly, might I draw your attention back to a devotional shared with the community this week?

What Do We Really Love?

“You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”

- Augustine

“The main engine that moves you through life is not what you know, but what you love. We are always moving irresistibly (often, even unnoticeably) in the direction of our affections — the deepest inclinations,
desires, and loves that hold our hearts captive. What if you were defined not by what you know or believe but by what you love and desire?”

“Jesus’ call to follow Him is a command to align our loves and our longings with His...to want, desire, hunger, thirst and crave a world where He is everything. That world is the ‘Kingdom of God.’” - James K. A. Smith, You Are What You Love

I am deeply grateful for your prayers and support, and I continue to pray for each of you. Despite the social distancing requirements, our connections are eternal as members of the body of Christ and the King’s Ridge Christian School community. Let us be kind and compassionate and help each other through these difficult and emotional circumstances. We rest in Psalm 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

To God be the glory,

Dr. Jeff D. Williams

Head of School