Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church
Day School

Our Repsonse to Covid

See what parents are saying about our spring distance learning program:

"It has been clear how much work, care, and thought has gone into the remote program..We have seen and appreciated the efforts to provide useful, soothing, and fun content, inspire creativity and maintain the threads of learning and friendship that were begun in the fall. We would say MAPCDS has done an exemplary job overall, both on its own merits and when compared with other Manhattan preschools."

"Ms. Bonello, Ms. Schriever, and Ms. Murray have been fantastic during this period, as they were the whole year. They made sure to get all children engaged during the Zoom class. They gave each of them opportunity to share their ideas and interact. This is particularly important in this period where children are missing out on social interaction. [They] know knows the kids so well and are able to respond to them appropriately and uniquely even over Zoom."

"Listen, this is an impossible situation you all made possible so your efforts should be applauded… You have done a great job."

"Ms. Santos, Ms. Goldsmith, Ms. Mirian are all complete superstars. We were lucky to have them all! Ms. Liben (music) and Ms. Bosch (art) also did amazing jobs at engaging remotely."

"We felt that the curriculum was very appropriate and considerate of parents and children and we really appreciate the continued feeling of community throughout."

"Art zooms have been a huge highlight, allowing the kids to be creative with individualized materials and experiences, but still be part of the community. The ability to see contributions of each other on the Daily Blog has contributed to a sense of pride and connection."

"Ms. Liben's songs and delightful presence have been very welcome."

"We loved Mr. Collins' ukulele videos and songs.

"None of this is ideal for anyone, but we were so blown away by the effort to help make this as good an experience as possible."

"All our [Class] 909 teachers have done an incredible job reaching out to the kids, providing engaging blogs and zoom and just being their kind selves. Truly blessed to have been part of the MAPCDS family."

"It was great how some of the inquiry-based approach was used despite the distance."

"The most wonderful thing was the feeling of continuity that came from seeing the same teachers and the same small groups... the same rituals that make them feel safe. The blog was a wonderful way to reconnect and for the parents especially to have an extra tool."

"The most helpful thing was the extensive planning and advanced communication... Having a list of additional resources available online was also extremely helpful."

"Ms. Picquet is very observant of each kid’s strength and weakness and gives us helpful feedback; we like all our teachers in [Class] 803!"

"The focus on mindfulness has been very helpful. The lessons the teachers had on the subject was not only good for the kids, but helped the parents discover ways to engage their children on the topic."

"Mrs. Wirsch has done a great job of being very aware of individual student needs on zooms and making sure to provide focused, individualized invitations and options to help the kids feel more comfortable."

"All the [Class] 806 teachers have been fantastic in adapting to this new environment. They have somehow been able to imbue a personal touch for each child and really make this as positive an experience as possible. The teachers have been incredibly quick to communicate and respond to questions. We felt very supported."

"Ms. Holden seemed to really go above and beyond with all her ideas about keeping the kids engaged from afar."
"Ms. Copeland and Mr. Garson have been amazing and have really stepped up to help us - great job and thank you!"

"Danielle [Burroughs] has really gone above and beyond to support us through this transition- she's talked to us 1:1 on what a 'good zoom' session looks like for a preschooler, shared her insights on how our son learns, has given us simple and effective phrases and approaches to use as we encourage healthy eating and bath time routines and shared her suggestions for potty training. She's been a teacher to us as well and we are very grateful for her time, thoughtfulness and dedication to the children!"

"The teachers have all been lovely, engaged, and concerned."

"We will be forever grateful for the magic that we witnessed every day at school. We are better parents because we have learned so much."

On March 12, 2020, in the face of unprecedented uncertainty around the coronavirus, and days before the mandated shutdown of New York City schools, we closed MAPCDS and transitioned to remote teaching and learning. Our faculty and administrative team worked quickly to develop a distance learning program which thoughtfully aligns with our mission and core values. For the remainder of the school year, synchronous and asynchronous opportunities offered to each age group stimulated experiential learning at home and ensured community connection. Mindful of necessary screen time limits, we used a virtual meeting platform to bring children together for short, developmentally appropriate gatherings. The integrity of our in-person program remained intact as teachers guided children through cherished, grounding rituals including daily group meetings, read alouds, mindfulness practices, and play prompts designed to spark discovery, joy and connection. Music and art specialists further engaged children with sing-alongs and creative inspiration. Yoga and exercise sessions provided physical stimulation and a healthy outlet for quarantine fatigue. Our dedicated teachers’ response throughout the crisis is a testament to their commitment to each child in our care.

Hallmarks of our program sustained the move from the physical classroom to the virtual space:

Relationships

Relationships are at the center of everything we do. Each class participated in whole group meetings and discussions which maintained the children’s sense of connection with one another, their teachers and the school, through the distance, as well as smaller group gatherings which provided more personal attention for each child.

Individual Attention

Responsive attention to each child’s specific needs. For example, extra, personal sessions were held for children who needed a little more time to gain comfort participating online.

Documentation

Individual class blogs included daily prompts for asynchronous learning as well as an opportunity for both teachers and families to share children’s work through photos and video.

Parents as Partners

We created and have maintained a comprehensive resource page for parents which includes Covid-19 information and updates as well as parenting support to help families manage through this challenging period. We held all-school parent meetings and kept the lines of communication open through written correspondence and check-ins by phone. We surveyed parents and made program adjustments according to the feedback we received. Our community has come through the crisis stronger than ever. We are tremendously grateful for our parents’ trust and partnership in such an unsettling period.

Our values are reflected through the school’s engaging spaces and the distinct hum of children engaged with one another in active, collaborative play. This is of course, our preferred teaching environment and how we have conducted the 2020-21 school year. Nonetheless, we have seen the wonder of learning persevere through the digital landscape. In keeping with our mission, our distance learning experience prepares children for continued personal growth and lifelong academic success.

Whether in person or online, children at MAPCDS thrive through nurturing relationships, community and professionally guided intellectual discovery. Should we need to move online again at any point, we are well-positioned to bring the robust program we’ve developed into the home of every Madison child.