2020-2021 School Year Plans

We are excited to share our updated virtual and on-campus learning plans for the 2020-21 school year.

September 2, 2020
August 15, 2020

September 2, 2020

We write to update you and share important information related to our transition to classes at Weber that will serve both virtual and on campus students.

During the past week, we have been engaged in the final steps of preparing our facilities and testing new educational technology, highlighted by a series of test class sessions that included teachers and students who worked virtually along with classmates on campus. While we are pleased with the overall results, feedback from students and teachers confirmed that additional and important work is needed before transitioning to on-campus classes. The last stages of our campus preparation will include:

Installation and additional testing of new classroom technology
Essential enhancements to modular classrooms
Final upgrades to air conditioning and heating units

As a result, we will need to postpone our transition to on-campus classes until Monday, September 14. Although we share your disappointment in this delay, we feel confident that the additional work during the coming week will enable us to begin on-campus classes in a way that meets the needs of virtual and on-campus learners and aligns with standards and guidelines for health and safety related to COVID-19.

In order for teaching faculty to prepare their classrooms and become oriented to new educational technology, we will hold faculty work days on Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9. During these work days, students will engage in asynchronous learning using Weber’s online learning management system, Blackbaud; however, they will not be required to adhere to our normal virtual class schedule. Teachers will review assignments and other class requirements with students prior to our departure for the holiday weekend. Virtual learning will resume on September 10 and continue through Friday, September 11 when we will also hold a virtual Memorial Kehillah for 9/11.

August 15, 2020

As we complete preparations of The Weber School campus, we look forward to welcoming all of our students back to school on Monday, August 17, through virtual learning. After we transition to on-campus learning on Tuesday, September 8, students and faculty who are unable to join us in-person at Weber will continue learning and teaching through an integrated virtual program.

To support our faculty in delivering the highest quality teaching in a virtual setting, Weber has engaged Independent School Management (ISM) to provide expert coaching for online and blended learning.

Weber is on track to complete the work necessary to return to campus on Tuesday, September 8. Given our ongoing consultation with the Fulton County Board of Health (FCBH), we are confident that the on-campus plan will fulfill Weber’s mission and standards for educational excellence while meeting the unique health and safety protocols required to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

DAILY SCHEDULE AND PROCEDURES

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS ON CAMPUS

ON-CAMPUS AND VIRTUAL LEARNING & SUPPORT

SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Tuition and Funding

In case Weber must operate during parts of the school year in a virtual setting, will the school offer any tuition refunds?

Should Weber be required to hold classes virtually for an extended period of time, we will assess cost savings along with additional, necessary investments on a quarterly basis to determine appropriate refunds.

Is there a capital campaign to cover the additional Covid-related costs?

The Weber Fund, chaired by parents, is the annual campaign by which Weber covers the gap between annual tuition income and the actual costs of operating the school and delivering a mission-driven program of academic excellence. Every year, Weber relies on the generosity of our broad school community to support this effort. All the more so, during the coming year, Weber will ask our community to keep in mind the significant, extra investments made by the school in relation to operating during the time of COVID-19.

Athletics

Is it safe to participate in Athletics?

Weber is following the guidance of GHSA that has been working in accordance with CDC guidelines on youth sports. Decisions from GHSA will be ongoing.

If we are virtual, are there plans to do a guided but independent fitness program at home?

Yes. Last spring, professionals in the Weber Athletics program instituted virtual instruction and fitness regimens for virtual learners and are currently working to enhance that programming for the 2020-21 academic year.

New Students

New student orientation will be held virtually, ensuring that all students meet their peer groups, peer leaders, and teachers, and receive essential information for the start of school. During the first days of school, the virtual orientation will be supplemented by on campus and virtual programming designed to foster relationships between students in each grade.

Are there any extra thoughts to assisting 9th graders who will start virtually and have no experience with Weber and the rigors/expectations of high school?

In addition to the virtual orientation, the Dean of 9th grade, Mr. Charlie McQuade, will check in with students personally during the opening weeks of school in order to facilitate a successful transition to Weber. This process follows Weber’s practice to provide personal attention to each student and family in the way that they need.

Will you have Peer Leaders available to help incoming 9th graders and transfer students get acclimated to school?

Yes. All students entering Weber in the 9th grade and as transfers are assigned to peer groups with two peer leaders. Students will meet their peer groups and peer leaders during the new student orientation.

Page Information Updated: September 9, 2020

Important Dates

Important Dates

We are all in this together.

Our ability to hold classes on campus depends heavily on the health and safety practices that Weber students, faculty, and families follow in their personal lives. As students are only on the Weber campus for a portion of the day, we need parents and students as partners to ensure good decisions are made off campus. We all know the steps necessary to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19:

Wearing masks in public settings

Maintaining social distancing in public settings

Avoiding intimate, sustained contact with others, including private parties

Frequently washing hands and using hand sanitizer

Technology

In accordance with Weber’s regular practice, students should have access to a laptop computer or tablet that will enable them to access online books, study guides, and other materials to complete written assignments. For virtual learning, students will also need personal headsets with microphones as well as access to reliable internet service. Under the leadership of our Directors of Educational Technology, Weber is analyzing how best to leverage existing technological resources in the classroom while investing in new technology for use by students and teachers in the classroom and at home.

Jewish HomeLife Testing

Under the auspices of Jewish HomeLife (JHL) and with the support of The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, The Weber School, is pleased to offer students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to receive the PCR test for the COVID-19 virus. JHL does not have the capacity to test family members of Weber students and faculty at this time.

Although most insurance companies will cover 100% of the costs, please check with your insurance provider to confirm your financial responsibility for the test. If the claim is denied, the price is $108, far less than at many other PCR testing sites.

To make an appointment, email Nareen Bennett at JHL or call (404) 539-3289, to arrange an appointment at The Breman Home, 3150 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. In general, JHL can schedule an appointment with 24 hours notice and provide results within 24-48 hours.

Note: Please enter and exit through the 3150 main entrance and follow signs to the stairway that takes you to the testing space. Please avoid taking the elevator as it will lead you to an area where the residents congregate and may put them at risk of exposure to outsiders.