Our founder, Lila McDill, knew that play is essential and curiosity is innate when she started the school back in 1970 to show our city’s families and other schools that it was possible to do school differently; in fact, it was better.
Almost fifty years later, we find ourselves at the same point that Lila did, and we are doing school differently again. Our values of care, connection, and community and our emphasis on engaged learning remain core to the remote learning philosophy and experience. TCS is again transforming and serving as beacons of clarity in this brave new world.
Update on Re-Opening Campus
It is our goal to return to our physical campus as soon as it is safe to do so. Unless there is a shelter-in-place mandate, we plan to open campus for the start of the 2020-21 school year with physical distancing and health and safety protocols in place to help keep our community safe.
This re-entry plan outlines how we are preparing for the 2020 – 21 school year. It includes information about our planning team and current considerations. Our approach maximizes our strengths as a school and ensures we are well prepared to deliver strong teaching and learning within a connected and caring community across all learning scenarios next year.
PARENT RESOURCES
Weekly Division Check-ins
Parents are encouraged to attend weekly video chats with either Director of Lower School Melissa Scott and Director of Student Life and Inclusion Morgan Darby (age 3 – grade 3) or Assistant Head for Academics and Director of Upper School Allen Broyles and Director of Student Life and High School Counseling Erin Joyner to talk about what is on your mind, to ask questions, and to learn from and support each other. Check your weekly division email from Melissa or Allen for dates, times and links to sessions.
Counseling Support
TCS is here to support you and your children during the campus closure. Here are some ways we are providing support while we’re away from school.
- Parent Consultation – TCS Counselor Natalie Grubbs is available via email (natalieg@tcsatl.org) or virtually to respond to questions or concerns you may have regarding your children and to provide resources. Click here for more information.
- Individual Student Support – Natalie is also available to check in with students who need brief, solution-focused support in dealing with a challenge or concern they are having. Click here to set up a one-on-one meeting with Natalie and your child.
- Blog posts – Natalie has written several blog posts to help parents and students during this turbulent time:
How to Talk to Your Kids About COVID-19
It is our utmost desire to foster a sense of normalcy and continuity for our students. Since students take their emotional cues from the adults, we encourage you to monitor your child’s engagement and help them understand what they are seeing and hearing to avoid anxiety. Being prepared is not a cause for panic or alarm.
Here are articles that might be helpful in talking to your children about the coronavirus outbreak:
- How to Talk to Kids About the Coronavirus Outbreak (TIME magazine)
- How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus (New York Times)
- Nurse Sharon’s Coronavirus Comic for Kids
- How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus Without Scaring Them (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
- Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus (Child Mind Institute)
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus (PBS)
- Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource (National Association of School Psychologists)
- Tips for Talking to Your Kids About COVID-19 Coronavirus by Dr. Anita Grover
- Supporting Children During the COVID-19 Outbreak by TCS Counselor Dr. Natalie Grubbs
- Helping Kids Cope with Social Distancing by TCS Counselor Dr. Natalie Grubbs
- Recognizing and Responding to Childhood Grief by TCS Counselor Dr. Natalie Grubbs
Parent Perspective
Hear from TCS parents as they navigate remote learning and give tips for maximizing family time and finding connections while physically distancing.
Nurturing Connection and Reaffirming our Family’s TCS Why
Reflections on the New Normal & Moments That Matter
Enjoying Family and Finding New Passions During Physical Distancing
Gratitude for Engaged Learning and Connection
Staying Connected to Community While Remote Learning
COMMUNICATIONS
Lower School (Age 3 – Grade 3) Remote Learning Updates
March 20, 2020 – Lower School Remote Learning: Week #1 Update
March 27, 2020 – Lower School Remote Learning: Week #2 Update
April 3, 2020 – Upper and Lower School Remote Learning Update
April 17, 2020 – Lower School Remote Learning: Week #4 Update
April 24, 2020 – Lower School Remote Learning: Week #5 Update
April 30, 2020 – Lower School Remote Learning: Week #6 Update
May 8, 2020 – Upper and Lower School Remote Learning: Week #7 Update
Upper School (Grades 4 – 8) Remote Learning Update
March 20, 2020 – Upper School Remote Learning: Week #1 Update
March 27, 2020 – Upper School Remote Learning: Week #2 Update
April 3, 2020 – Upper and Lower School Remote Learning Update
April 17, 2020 – Upper School Remote Learning: Week #4 Update
April 24, 2020 – Upper School Remote Learning: Week #5 Update
April 30, 2020 – Upper School Remote Learning: Week #6 Update
May 8, 2020 – Upper and Lower School Remote Learning: Week #7 Update
School-wide Communications
Feb. 28, 2020 – Monitoring the COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
March 3, 2020 – COVID-19 Coronavirus Update
March 8, 2020 – Please Read for an Important COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update
March 12, 2020 – COVID-19 Campus Closure
March 24, 2020 – COVID-19 Update: Campus Closed Through April 13
March 31, 2020 – COVID-19 Update: Campus Closed Through April 24 + FREE Virtual Spring Break Camp
April 2, 2020 – COVID-19 Update: Remote Learning Through the End of the School Year
April 14, 2020 – COVID-19 Update: The Next Six Weeks
April 21, 2020 – COVID-19 Update: End-of-Year Events and an Update from the Board
May 15, 2020 – 2020 – 21 Planning
May 29, 2020 – An Update on Re-opening Campus
June 16, 2020 – Summer Update
