COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

November 23, 2020

Dear MRA Family,

We hope you have wonderful Thanksgiving Break!

As we start this holiday week, we wanted to remind everyone even during this break to please continue to follow the protocols in our MRA Re-Entry Operation Plan regarding notifying the school/Kay Chance kchance@mrapats.org if your student/child is diagnosed with COVID-19 or if they have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Thank you,

Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

November 17, 2020

Dear MRA Family,

As a follow up to the Holiday Break Travel Considerations email I sent 11/15/20, if your student will be traveling via airplane from now until January, please click here to complete the travel information form. 

Thank you,

Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

November 15, 2020

Dear MRA Family,

Although MRA is not currently experiencing the spike in COVID cases that are being reported statewide/nationwide, we are asking our patrons to follow the protocol below regarding holiday travel: 

If a student travels via airplane during the Thanksgiving and/or Christmas break, we will consider the student exposed and will require him/her to quarantine for 5-days and provide the school nurse with a negative test result before returning to school (as outlined in the MRA Re-Entry Operation Plan).

If you travel CDC Recommendations are as follows:
During your trip, take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

• Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
• Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart (about 2 arms’ length) from anyone who is not from your household.
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Thank you for your diligence in following the protocols we are implementing during this pandemic. We appreciate your patience and support throughout this time.

Sincerely,
Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

November 5, 2020

Dear MRA Family,

It has been brought to my attention this week that several schools in the state are experiencing a surge in their COVID-19 cases. Additionally, positive cases are up statewide. With this new information, I want to remind everyone of the importance of following the 3W’s (Wear your mask, Wash your hands and Watch your distance) at all times. 

As we all face many situations where we could be exposed, please be mindful to practice the 3W’s so we can continue to have school successfully on our GREEN PLAN: Campus is open with limited restrictions; On-campus Learning. We must remain vigilant and not become complacent in order to continue having school in person.

Again, I can’t tell you how proud I am of the MRA Family and the spirit in which you have approached this school year. Everyone’s continued cooperation and commitment to our Re-Entry Operation Plan policies and procedures are truly appreciated and will help us remain on campus without any interruptions.

Sincerely,
Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

September 14, 2020

Click on the picture below to view the revised Re-Entry Operation Plan.

September 4, 2020

MRA Family,

As a follow up to my eblast on Thursday, please see the information below sent out by Dr. Dobbs yesterday.  It is a great message and advice.  As Dr. Dobbs mentions, there have been big surges in COVID positive cases shortly after holidays.  Hopefully we can avoid that this weekend.  I hope everyone has a great, relaxing and safe Labor Day weekend. 

Sincerely,
Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

September 3, 2020

MRA Family,
As we come to the end of our 4th week in school, I again want to express my appreciation for the total school effort in following our back-to-school re-entry plan.  While we have had COVID positive cases and exposures, we have successfully conducted on-campus school with our entire student body.

 

With a holiday weekend before us, let me implore you to continue to follow guidelines for mitigating the chances of contracting the virus.  We all must remain vigilant in these efforts for us to continue with our success in being able to operate in our Green Plan.

 

Thanks again for your continued cooperation and I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.

Sincerely,

 

Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

August 26, 2020

Dear MRA Parents,

I want to again thank you for a great start to 2020-21.  There are always challenges when beginning a new school year, but this year has the added challenges of social distancing, wearing a mask, and the entire COVID situation. Our students and families have done a phenomenal job in following all of the new guidelines we have in place, which has made it possible for us to successfully execute an organized effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  

I recently read that Lafayette County School had to close their entire 4th grade because of COVID-19. This was a real wake up call for me and reminded me of the importance of everyone following the 3W’s (Wear your mask, Wash your hands and Watch your distance) at all times. 

As Labor Day and fall approach, we will all face many situations where we could be exposed. Please be mindful to practice the 3W’s so we can continue to have school successfully on our GREEN PLAN: Campus is open with limited restrictions; On-campus Learning. We must remain vigilant and not become complacent in order to continue having school in person.

Again, I can’t tell you how proud I am of the MRA Family and the spirit in which you have approached this school year. Everyone’s continued cooperation and commitment to our Re-Entry Operation Plan policies and procedures are truly appreciated and will help us remain on campus without any interruptions.

Sincerely,

Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

August 14, 2020

Dear MRA Parents,

I want to thank everyone for a very smooth and successful start to the school year. I appreciate your support and patience as we navigate this new normal together. The solidarity of the effort from the MRA Family has not only helped us have a great opening, but is energizing to us all! Additionally, the positive comments you share with me in carpool have truly meant so much and keep us motivated. I am so proud of how our students have followed the three W’s: Wash Your Hands, Wear Your Mask, Watch Your Distance. Their attitudes inspire me daily.

For the past few years we have placed great emphasis on professional development for our faculty and staff  and it has paid immense dividends for our students.  Because of the challenges of the pandemic and the need for all faculty to oversee distancing students prior to the start of the school day, we have scheduled Early Dismissal days in lieu of  our usual Late Starts during the upcoming semester.  The dates will be September 1, October 6 and November 3, and school will dismiss at 12:30 for grades 1st-12th on these days. This will  allow our faculty time for effective team meetings and to give departments/grade levels opportunities to spend time together discussing cross-curriculum projects and other best practices in education.  

These early dismissal days are definitely not meant to inconvenience our parents but will allow our faculty much-needed time for planning and collaboration. Your children will be welcome to stay at school and dismiss at their regular time. We will have supervision available for all students who stay on campus.

I am happy to report carpool is improving daily and we will continue to monitor traffic flow.  Morning traffic entering campus from Old Canton Road is not experiencing the back-ups that are occurring on St. Augustine. To help alleviate congestion, I recommend avoiding St. Augustine Road and using the Old Canton entrance if possible.

As we continue to keep you updated with relevant news, information concerning athletic event attendance will be sent soon as we follow guidelines for sporting events during COVID.  Please continue to check the COVID-19 tab on the homepage of the website for updates and revisions to our Re-Entry Operation Plan.  

Thank you for entrusting your children to us,

Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

August 9, 2020

Dear MRA Family,
It was great to begin school last week and to have our first full day on Friday.  Seeing the MRA family of students and staff back on campus uplifted my spirits. As usual in the first week of school, the carpool lines were slow, but we will be working diligently to improve the efficiency of this process.  For those middle and high school parents who are picking up students during afternoon carpool, it would be a big help if you would consider arriving no earlier than 3:10.  This will allow for the elementary carpool to finish; therefore, minimizing the length of the waiting carpool lines. Also middle and high school parents, please remind your children that they will need their ID card to enter the buildings and purchase food in the dining commons.

On the COVID front:  I am very proud of our students and staff for following directions concerning masks and social distancing.  We have abundant signage throughout the campus to remind and encourage students and faculty to wash their hands, wear their masks, and watch their distance.  Unfortunately, we have had two high school students test positive, and in those cases, we have implemented our plan and followed protocols concerning quarantines and contact tracing.  Of course, students testing positive is to be expected with this virus, and we will have others in the future. But we are confident in our plan to mitigate the spread and will continue to follow the protocols.  Know that we will keep you informed of any additional positive cases by school division. As the science around COVID continues to evolve, we will remain flexible and make adjustments if necessary.

Always know that our first priority is the safety and health of our students and employees.  I remain optimistic that we can have a great school year where students excel academically, thrive physically and socially, and are challenged by the gospel. As always, proud to be an MRA Patriot!

Sincerely,
Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

July 17, 2020

MRA Family,

We continue to work diligently to prepare for the coming school year.  MRA has developed a multi-faceted plan to prepare for any eventualities or scenarios we may be faced with in the future. Below you will find an overview of those plans.  

We hope the document below detailing our plans (click on the picture below to view the plan) will help you understand our strategies as we all prepare for the coming school year.  If you have any questions, please contact me or any of our administrators by phone or email.

Elementary Parents

I hope this email finds you enjoying summer and making special memories with your family.  

The administration continues to work diligently on our plans for the fall and keeping our students safe is always a top priority at MRA. Mr. Land recently sent you our COVID-19 Re-Entry Operation Plan for the upcoming school year, which is a multi-faceted plan to prepare for any eventualities or scenarios we may be faced with in the future. 

To help our parents prepare for school starting on August 7, we wanted to make you aware of one of the restrictions that is now part of the overall plan, is all elementary students will be required to wear face coverings (masks, neck gaiters, etc.) during certain times of the school day. Students will wear their face covering upon entry to the hall each morning and during times when physical distancing is difficult such as movement in the hallway, when other classes are present.  Students will be allowed to remove the face coverings upon entry into their classrooms and will not be wearing them while on the playground.  Students will also wear face coverings during afternoon dismissal when they enter the hall and may remove them once they are outside of the building and are practicing social distancing.  Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected, but does not have symptoms. Elementary students face coverings may be any color and/or design appropriate for school.

We will be sending further information as we get closer to the start of school.  We miss our students and want them back on campus.  However, we must ensure that we can do so safely and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  Thank you for your support, patience and encouragement.   Please reach out if I can answer questions.

Amanda Smillie
Elementary Principal|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-7076|www.MRApats.com

Middle School / High School Parents,
I hope this email finds you enjoying summer and making special memories with your family.  

The administration continues to work diligently on our plans for the fall and keeping our students safe is always a top priority at MRA.  Mr. Land recently sent you our COVID-19 Re-Entry Operation Plan for the upcoming school year, which is a multi-faceted plan to prepare for any eventualities or scenarios we may be faced with in the future. 

To help our parents prepare for school starting on August 6, we wanted to make you aware of that one of the restrictions that is now part of the overall plan, is that all middle/high school students will be required to wear face coverings (masks, neck gaiters, etc.) during certain times of the school day.  Students will wear their face covering upon arrival to school and during times when physical distancing is difficult; such as changing of classes, in route to the dining commons, in commons areas, or when directed to by an administrator or teacher.  Students will be allowed to remove the face coverings upon entry into their classrooms.  Students will also wear face coverings during afternoon dismissal and may remove them once they are outside of the building and are practicing social distancing. Cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected, but does not have symptoms. Cloth face coverings must be neutral in color, or black, brown, red, white, navy, or a combination of these colors and free from designs, writings, or pictures.  Face coverings must not be designed to distract or draw attention in the opinion of the administration.

We will be sending further information as we get closer to the start of school.  We miss our students and want them back on campus.  However, we must ensure that we can do so safely and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  Thank you for your support, patience and encouragement.   Please reach out if I can answer questions.

Go Patriots!

Greg Self
High School Principal

Dear MRA Family,
I hope you are having a great summer so far. 

Campus is open with students from kindergarten through the 12^th grade active in summer camp, athletic camps, activities, and drills.  It is so good to see the daily hustle and bustle that has been missing these last months return to MRA.

We have been working diligently to prepare for the coming school year.  MRA has developed a multi-faceted plan to prepare for any eventualities or scenarios we may be faced with in the future. Below you will find an overview of those plans.  Additionally, I am excited to say that with the current conditions and using the current CDC School Decision Tree, we will meet all guidelines and be open for students on August 6.  While I am optimistic of the August opening, the situation and guidelines are subject to change. 

I hope the document below detailing our plans (click on the picture below to view the plan) will help you understand our strategies as we all prepare for the coming school year.  If you have any questions, please contact me or any of our administrators by phone or email.

God Bless,
Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

Dear MRA Family,

In an effort to continue to prepare for future athletic competitions and a return to school in August, MRA will begin having athletic activities on Tuesday, May 26.  

As always, the well-being of our students and staff is of utmost concern, and there are extensive protocols and procedures in place to ensure the health and safety of the student athletes in our care.

To review the upcoming schedule by team and protocols/procedures, please click HERE.

Always Proud To Be An MRA Patriot,

MRA Athletics

April 20, 2020

Dear MRA Family,

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching impact on many levels. We want to ensure we’re doing everything we can to support your child and your family.

Today we’re asking you to take this short survey on our school’s response to COVID-19 and our distance learning measures.We know that you are working hard to support your children as they navigate the disruption to their day-to-day lives and this survey will give us insight into how we can best serve you.

We want the educational experience we offer, in this form, to contribute to both the well-being of our students and their education. As such, we ask that you complete this short survey to help us know how we and your children are doing as we navigate this time. The answers you give will help us understand your experiences—and make any improvements, both now and in the future.

Note, our friends at Independent School Management are managing confidential collection of responses, tabulating the results, and providing us with timely feedback specific to our school. This survey will be also used to measure trends across all independent schools.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

Sincerely,
Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

April 17, 2020

MRA Family,

We know these are unsettling times, and we are committed to minimizing the effects of this COVID-19 disruption on our students, families, and employees.  Some of you have experienced a negative economic impact because of the pandemic.  For those of you that are in this position, we have created a COVID-19 tuition assistance (CTAP) fund.  This fund is in addition to our yearly tuition assistance program (TAP).  Listed below you will find program information and how to apply.

a.      MRA will be granting a limited amount of tuition assistance for families whose children’s attendance at MRA for the 2020-21 school year is in jeopardy due to a negative economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

b.     The program will consider awards up to 50% of total tuition (note that lower percentage applicants will be given priority.)

c.      A CTAP Application may be found HERE or on our website under the admissions tab.

d.     Please complete the electronic form and if you have any questions, contact Tina Box  at tbox@mrapats.org.

I again want to thank you for your patience and diligence during the COVID-19 pandemic.  I know this has been a trying time and we remain committed to helping you in any way that we can.

Sincerely,
Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

April 15, 2020

MRA Family,

I hope you all had a meaningful Easter weekend.  It was certainly different, but it was awesome to once again celebrate the resurrection of our savior, Jesus.  As we have entered our 5^th week of distance learning, I am thankful for families like yours who are both helping their children navigate this experience and partnering with our team to ensure that all academic goals are being met.  I understand that there have been challenges along the way and I appreciate your commitment and patience.

Following the lead of our Governor, MRA will continue to deliver our academic program through distance learning until the end of the school year (May 20).  During this time, we remain committed to delivering the rigorous curriculum you expect from us with the goal of having all students well prepared for the 20-21 school year.

I continue to be very proud of our faculty and administration and the exceptional work they are doing.  They are communicating effectively and positively with students and families.  They are utilizing their technology skills in many ways to deliver the intended content.  As always they are servants in the truest sense.

We are all very sad that we will not be returning to campus this school year.  The grade-level administrators will update you on events that will be postponed, canceled, or held in some virtual manner in the coming days.  We understand that many of these end of the year events, such as graduations are cherished moments in the lives of our students and their families. Our administrators have been working diligently to ensure that these special times will still be celebrated.  We will be updating the calendar on the website with that information also.

There will be challenges ahead, but all of us at MRA remain dedicated partners in your child's education.  Together, we'll keep our students safe, while advancing their education and preserving their special connection to the teachers and classmates who love them.

God Bless,
Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

April 2, 2020

Parents:

Thank you so very much for your support and encouragement as we continue distance learning.  We are so very proud of how hard our students are working. 

We miss you and your children so much.   Below is a video from our staff that we shared yesterday.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yqmbRXejYc9cBz1R83dxC1xH9zNMdeaV/view?usp=sharing 

I also want to thank each of our parents that completed the survey last week.  We read each of them and will continue to listen to your feedback as we move  forward.  We will continue Distance Learning until April 17.

Chapel 

We are beginning to explore ways to have virtual chapel and future assemblies. 

On Tuesday, April 7, Ellen Craven and myself will lead chapel and email the video to parents for students to watch.  This will occur weekly and take the place of the devotionals I have been sending on Mondays.  

Third Nine Weeks Recognition Chapel

2^nd-5^th grade teachers will have a grade level zoom one day next week to recognize  grade level accomplishments for the 3^rd nine weeks.  Teachers will let parents know the day and time of the zoom.

Musicals

We have canceled both 2^nd grade and 4^th/5^th Grandparents’ Days.  Ellen Craven will begin doing virtual sing alongs with the students using the musical songs.  

Enrichments 

Our enrichment teachers have each been assigned a day of the week to send out videos and activities.  All enrichment activities are optional. Additionally, Accelerated Math will not be graded this nine weeks.  However, Accelerated Reader will continue to be a test grade for 4th Nine Weeks.  However, we have made AR adjustments to support our families.

Accelerated Reader

AR is now open from 7:20-6:00 Monday-Thursday.  4^th Nine Weeks AR will be open until May 11.  Below is the link. Students must follow this link to tests.  The link is specific to our school.

https://hosted271.renlearn.com/90749/ 

All students know their usernames and password.  Parents can continue to login to the elementary portal to access the AR HomeConnect and Book Finder https://www.mrapats.org/parent-portal/elementary

Below are the Adjustments we are making for points for 4^th Nine Weeks.

2nd grade: 6 points (usually 8 points) Recognition:   9 points + 85% overall average

3rd grade: 8 points (usually 10 points) Recognition: 12 points + 85% overall average

4th grade: 8 points (usually 10 points) Recognition: 12 points + 85% overall average

5th grade: 10 points (usually 12 points)  Recognition: 13 points + 85% overall average

AR END OF YEAR recognition will remain the same:

1.  Students will be recognized for total overall points at the end of year:

2nd grade: 50 points and higher 3rd -5th grade: 75 points and higher

2. Student with highest points in grade

3. Student with highest points in elementary

Easter Break

Easter Break is April 10-13.  Distance Learning will resume on April 14.

We are so very thankful for each of you and are praying for our families. 

Please let us know how we can continue to serve you.

Amanda Smillie

April 2, 2020

Good afternoon,

Jason Smith of Pinelake Madison delivered a great message in chapel today for our Middle and High School students.  We'd like to let you know this message is available to watch anytime by using the link that is at the bottom of this email.

In order to watch events "on demand," you must be on a computer, and not a mobile device.  There is no password for today's chapel, but if you've never created an account with Stretch Internet, you will be required to create a free account with nothing more than an email address and a password.  Stretch Internet doesn't sell any information they gather in creating accounts.

When you go to watch, you'll want to fast-forward for the first 22 minutes and 30 seconds, as we were making sure the sound was working and we were allowing others to be confident that they were in the livestream.  The introduction and music start at about the 22:30 mark.

Please click HERE to watch today's chapel.  When you get to the Stretch Live screen, please be sure to find the "On Demand" button just below "Stretch Live."  Today's chapel will be the first item listed.

Thank you,
Ross Hailey
Middle School Principal

March 31, 2020

MRA Parents,

I want to make you aware of a free parent webinar, Parenting in a Time of Crisis being offered through SAIS on Thursday, April 2 at 6:00 pm.

Note: Registration is limited. Sign up early to reserve your space.

Click here to register for the Parenting in a Time of Crisis webinar.

Webinar Details:
SAIS has partnered with Rob Evans, Ed.D., and Michael Thompson, Ph.D. to present this webinar focusing on the challenge of parenting in these unprecedented days, offering a chance to reflect on and share the burdens and to troubleshoot key dilemmas. Rob and Michael are psychologists who have each consulted to hundreds of independent schools, including dozens in the midst of crises of various kinds, and to many more in the days after 9/11 and the 2008-09 financial meltdown. 

Sincerely,

Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

March 31, 2020

Dear MRA Family,

I understand during this ever changing situation our families are handling an enormous load at home and we appreciate your partnership now more than ever.  Each day brings new challenges and we are here to help in any way we can, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Also, thank you for the response to our recent surveys.  They provided us with great information that will help us plan as we go forward.

At this time, we will continue to deliver our academic program through distance learning until April 17. For current school information, please refer to the school calendar and COVID-19 tab on our website homepage.

I am sad to announce that due to the current global health crisis, the decision has been made to cancel the 2020 Gardens of Madison County event.  We hope you understand that the safety and well-being of everyone involved is our first priority. I want to thank our chairmen and steering committee for all of their hard work throughout the year on this event.  We truly appreciate you giving of your time and talents to MRA.  Additionally, I want to thank all of our tour homeowners, corporate sponsors and green thumb sponsors for their generous support. Gardens of Madison County has been going strong for 26 years, which is an amazing accomplishment and source of pride for our school.  We look forward to Gardens of Madison County being back bigger and better in 2021. 

Once again, we thank you for your continued patience as we all navigate through this unprecedented time.  Please continue to pray for an end to this pandemic and to practice social distancing.

Sincerely,
Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867

March 29, 2020 

Parents,

I hope you are doing well.  I wanted to pass along the information below to assist you and your student(s) with the upcoming week of Virtual Classes via Zoom.  The first document outlines the schedule for the week, and the video message will help explain in further detail our virtual class plan.

I want to thank you for completing the survey and sharing your comments with the administration regarding MRA's distance learning plan thus far.  We will continue to strive to make this a very positive experience for your student(s) as they progress through the academic year.

If I can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Week at a Glance - click HERE

Very Respectfully,
​​​​​​​Greg Self
gself@mrapats.org

March 27, 2020

MRA Parents,

In an effort to stay connected and monitor how Distance Learning is progressing, please complete this quick parent survey by Sunday, March 29 at 6:00 pm so we can better understand the needs of your family during this time.

Thank you,
Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

March 27, 2020
Parents,

We thank you so much for your continued support and patience.

We will be doing our packet pick up today from 12:30-3:40.This will work just like carpool.  Instead of picking up your child, we will hand you the prepared packets and you will return completed work (not all grades are returning work/follow the instruction provide by the teacher).  Please have your carpool number visible.  However, you may have friends or family pick up the material for you.  If you are picking up a packet for a friend, have their carpool number written down largely on a piece of paper.  If you have a kindergarten child, please pick up their materials first and then come through elementary carpool.  If you have more than one elementary student, please pick up at the youngest child’s designated time.    The teachers  organized their packets by carpool number.  We are requesting for everyone to remain in their cars during this process so this can move as quickly as possible.

Please follow the below pickup schedule:

·         12:30-12:50 Carpool numbers 100-150

·         12:50-1:10 Carpool numbers 151-190 and 201-215 

·         1:10-1:30  Carpool Numbers 216-269

·         1:40-2:00 Carpool Numbers 301-351

·         2:00-2:20  Carpool Numbers 352-372 and 401-432

·         2:30-2:50  Carpool Numbers 433-483

·         2:50-3:20 Carpool Numbers 484-534

·         3:20-3:40  Carpool Numbers 535-573

Please know that we are praying four your family and we miss our students so much.   Moms In Touch will be meeting via Zoom
on Monday, March 30 at 7:30 AM.  Below is the Zoom information. We encourage all moms to join us in a time of prayer. 

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/658893369

Meeting ID: 658 893 369

Please feel free to reach out if we can help you in anyway.

Amanda Smillie

March 26, 2020

Parents,

I want to thank you for your patience and understanding during these trying times.  Please know that the administration and faculty will not cease to pray for you and your family as we continue this battle against the COVID-19 virus.

I know you are receiving emails from your students' teachers and I am trying to keep from overloading your Inbox, but I wanted to make you aware of how you can receive and find information related to MRA's Distance Learning model.  Each of you have the ability to view your students' Canvas accounts as an "Observer."  If you haven't already done so, please set up an account so you can view the important information contained within my Canvas page along with all class pages.

To prevent too many emails, I am placing information for both students and parents in our LMS platform.  The link below gives you a view into this page.  I want to bring your attention to the Parents & Caregivers page.  Today, I entered an article for Parents (also attached) - please read when you have time.

The link below gives you a view in the Canvas Page.

Click HERE

Again, thank you for assisting our teachers as they continue to educate your child's mind, body, and spirit, even from a distance. If I can be of any service to you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach to me.

Very Respectfully,

Greg Self

March 26, 2020

Kindergarten and Elementary Parents

Dear Parents,

This morning we are experiencing some technical issues in the app SeeSaw.  We are working with them to resolve the issue.  Thank you for your patience.

Sandy Rawlings

AmandaSmillie

March 24, 2020
Kindergarten Update

Parents,
Here we go into week 3.  You are doing an amazing job navigating our SeeSaw app.  I am loving looking at the work and videos the children are doing.  I have access to each classroom on my computer.

I would like to give a big shout out to my staff.  They have worked extremely hard making sure your children do not fall behind while Distance Learning with their own children.  They are an incredible group of ladies.  I have loved watching them teach your children.  I think Mrs. Streeter needs an Academy Award.  Isn’t she amazing?  Each time I click on her video, it makes me happy.  I have to watch the entire video!  They are doing such an amazing job that other schools throughout the south have reached out to me.

We will have another pick up this Friday.  It will work just like the last time.  You will pull through the carpool line and we will bring your packet to you.  The schedule is below.  Our numbers do not match with elementary so if you are picking up a packet for an elementary child, just swing through the kindergarten.  As long as you have your kindergarten carpool number you will be ok.

12:30-12:50          1-50

12:50-1:10            51-100

1:15-1:35               101-150

1:40-1:55               151-200

1:50-2:10               201 and up

The life skills your children are learning now are valuable lessons.  This is a real-world situation you are handling beautifully.  Your children are learning:

1. How you handle adversity-they will model you
2. Decision Making-picking out their clothes
3. Health and Hygiene
4. Time Management-schedule for the morning/set timers
5. Meal Prep-so many skills can be taught (setting the table /napkins go on the left with the fork/knife goes on the right), measuring, which one is more/least, etc.
6. Laundry-helping you sort/fold/put clothes up

I love you all and pray this will end soon. 

Sandy Rawlings
MRA Kindergarten Principal
7601 Old Canton Road
Madison, MS 39110
www.mrapats.com

March 24, 2020
Friday Packet Pick Up

Parents,

We thank you so much for your continued support and patience. MRA will continue to deliver our academic program through distance learning at least until Friday, April 3. It is very important that we balance screen time and give students multiple opportunities to complete handwritten work.  Therefore, we will be collecting completed work and provide an additional packet for students this Friday, March 27 from 12:30-3:40.

This will work just like carpool.  Instead of picking up your child, we will hand you the prepared packets and your will return completed work.   Please place completed material in a gallon zip lock bag labeled with student name, grade level and home room teacher.  Please have your carpool number visible.  However, you may have friends or family pick up the material for you.  If you are picking up a packet for a friend, have their carpool number written down largely on a piece of paper.  If you have a kindergarten child, please pick up their materials first and then come through elementary carpool.  If you have more than one elementary student, please pick up at the youngest child’s designated time.    The teachers  organized their packets by carpool number.  We are requesting for everyone to remain in their cars during this process so this can move as quickly as possible.

Please follow the below pickup schedule:

·         12:30-12:50 Carpool numbers 100-150

·         12:50-1:10 Carpool numbers 151-190 and 201-215 

·         1:10-1:30  Carpool Numbers 216-269

·         1:40-2:00 Carpool Numbers 301-351

·         2:00-2:20  Carpool Numbers 352-372 and 401-432

·         2:30-2:50  Carpool Numbers 433-483

·         2:50-3:20 Carpool Numbers 484-534

·         3:20-3:40  Carpool Numbers 535-572

MRA thanks you for your patience as we navigate this unique situation.  Please know that we are committed to continuing our students’ learning experiences, and we hope that each household is able to experience some precious family time during this season of uncertainty. 

Amanda Smillie 

March 24, 2020

MRA Family,

Martin Luther King said, “The ultimate measure of a man or a woman is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy.”  Let me say how proud I am of the MRA family and where we stand during this challenging time.

I am writing to inform you that we will continue to deliver our academic program through distance learning at least until Friday, April 3. The kindergarten and elementary will be having a packet pick up this Friday afternoon.  Mrs. Rawlings and Mrs. Smillie will be sending further details on pick up times asap.

I continue to be optimistic that we will be returning to campus soon.  In the meantime, I will continue to place my hope in Jesus and Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”

God Bless,
Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

March 23, 2020

Middle School Parents

Greetings,

This email is being sent to all of the parents with Middle School students.

I hope things are going well.  We've got some great things in the works for these next few days and possibly weeks.  We certainly hope that things are back to normal sooner rather than later, but it's our job to prepare our teachers and students for the marathon, as opposed to this week's sprint.

Having said that, I want to encourage each of you to read this attachment.  It has some really good guidelines for parents, teachers and students for this shift in the learning process.  

I think we've all seen the importance of keeping our students in some sort of routine, and there are some other ideas in this document, as well.  We've visited with several schools who have used distance learning in other forms over the last couple of years, and we've visited a pretty good bit with some schools who have been recognized over the past couple of weeks as leaders in the process.  All of the schools have been very comfortable sharing what works best for them, and the main thing we are hearing from everyone is that expecting your students and your teachers to be in front of their computers every day, all day, will simply not work. 

There are time expectations in this document.  Our teachers will be shifting their instruction times, and in that shift, they may end up giving too much or not enough work for the first week or so.  Please visit with your child and try to get some honest feedback.  If you begin to see a pattern that one class is taking much longer (or not long enough) than other classes, please let me know so I can get some feedback from others in the class and see how we can get things adjusted.

We don't want this to be a stressful time in the lives of our MRA families.  That includes parents, students, and our faculty.  We do realize that there will be a learning curve, but just like social distancing can flatten the Coronavirus curve, communication with me can go a long way in flattening this distance learning curve. 

Our teachers are feeling the pressure of being more available than ever.  We want them to continue to be available to our parents the same way they were before distance learning.  Please give them 24 hours to reply to an email, and please allow your student(s) to email and/or Zoom with our teachers.  If you've allowed your student to work through trying to resolve an issue, that's when the time will come to contact Mrs. Edwards at medwards@mrapats.org for us to set up a conference.  That conference will likely be by Zoom.

Again, please read over the attachment.  I believe that will help all of us get more on the same page, which will be tremendously helpful.

I want to thank everyone for their patience as we get our feet under us with distance learning.  It's been incredible to watch our teachers band together to help one another, and I know our teachers are going to do everything they can to help our students.  We are going to need your help as parents to be sure the students are engaged daily, and engaged for an adequate amount of time.

Thank you so much for trusting us during these trying times.  We love the children of MRA, and we can't wait to have them back on campus.

Go Patriots,
Ross Hailey

March 22, 2020

Distance Learning - March 23

Students and Parents,

I want to review a few items with you as we move into our first full week of our Distance Learning Plan. Our teachers have done a tremendous job of planning and preparing to deliver quality online instruction to our students through CANVAS, our Learning Management System. Teachers will continue to send morning announcements to students outlining the Plan for the Day (Road Map).  Students are reminded that each teacher has virtual office hours available via Google Meet OR Zoom (check with your teacher about days/times).  I encourage you to utilize this time to ask questions and seek assistance with any assignments or material being covered.

This week students and teachers will connect via ZOOM.us at 10:00 am each day.  In preparation for these meetings, please make sure your cameras and microphones are working properly.  Students should review the following guidelines for a successful video conferencing experience - click HERE

Please follow the schedule below (this is for practice NOT class time) and refer to teacher emails for login information:

• Monday, March 23 - 1st period @ 10:00 am
• Tuesday, March 24 - 2nd period @ 10:00 am
• Wednesday, March 25 - 3rd period @ 10:00 am
• Thursday, March 26 - 4th period @10:00 am
• Friday, March 27 - 5th period @ 10:00 am

Computer Issues:
If students experience computer issues, they need to contact a member of the IT Department via email.  Most computer issues can be solved remotely.  In the event an issue requires a campus visit, students MUST make an appointment prior to coming on campus.  Contact information is below:

John Black, techsupport@mrapats.org

Trey Camp, techsupport@mrapats.org

Matt Stampley, techsupport@mrapats.org

CANVAS Pages for Middle and High School Students:
The administration has created both a Middle School and High School Distance Learning Canvas page to communicate with students and parents on a regular basis.  Students must join this page in order for parents to have access.

• Students in grades 9-12 are reminded to join my High School Distance Learning Canvas page, if they haven't already done so (check your Google email for the invitation).
• Students in grades 6-8 are reminded to join Coach Hailey's Middle School Distance Learning Canvas page, if they haven't already done so (check your Google email for the invitation).

Finally, I continue to pray for you and your family during this time and ask that you pray for your teachers and administrators, as well as our community, state, nation, and world.  Be encouraged and take comfort in Christ’s words in John 16:32-33, “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Stay Safe and Live Well,
Greg Self

March 20, 2020

MRA Family,

As we monitor the news pertaining to COVID-19, we will continue to deliver our academic program through distance learning until we are convinced it is safe to return to campus.  We will keep you informed and notify you of that date when determined. Hopefully, that is sooner rather than later.  Please refer to the school calendar on our website to see what events are postponed or canceled.

I encourage everyone to continue to practice social distancing and to pray that the spread of this virus will stop and a cure will be found.  I have included a link to an article that I encourage you to read, click HERE to access.

Our former Head of School Tommy Thompson always told me, “this too shall pass.”

So I say to you, we will persevere through this situation and this too shall pass.

God Bless,

Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

March 20, 2020

Resources for Parents

Good Afternoon!

I wanted to send a quick note to parents as we navigate these uncertain times. I truly believe in the providence of God and I have seen that in the way He allowed us to set the foundation for our students and MRA community through our Live Well initiative back in January, which has allowed us to continue the conversation in uncertain times like we find ourselves in now. I have included an article below from Axis, the same group that has continually provided us resources for parents and our students through our Live Well initiative. We will continue to supply resources for our parents and our students during this time and I wanted to remind you that although we are connecting virtually at the moment, that we continue to be here personally for both you and your student. 

Reach out to us if we can help you in any way. Mr. Self did an outstanding job of communicating with our students the importance of continuing to Live Well through grade-level zoom conferences this morning and one of our points of emphasis this morning to them was to take care of themselves during this social distancing and that we are still here and still available to them in any way that we can be. 

 We look forward to continuing our partnership with each of you and please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns that you may have for you or your student! 

Go Pats & Live Well, 
Libbo Crosswhite 

Three Things This Week

1 The Sports Void
What it is: With more and more sports suspending seasons and canceling tournaments, sports fans everywhere are looking for something to fill the void, and esports may be just the thing.
Why it’s similar: Since playing video games and watching others play doesn’t require one to be in close proximity with others, it’s quite possible that esports will become a big interest for teenagers stuck at home. Sure, watching shows or making TikToks may also become more important, but like sports, esports aren’t scripted, don’t have predetermined outcomes, and are built around the players’ personalities. So they may be more enticing for teenagers who were hoping to watch the March Madness drama unfold or who closely follow their fav NBA stars. If your teens are suddenly asking to play more or spend more time on Twitch, Mixer, or even YouTube and TikTok (#esports is rapidly growing on the platform), this could be why.

2 Pandemic Pressure
What it is: If you’re like us, you’ve probably seen lots of reminders that this time in quarantine is a gift, a chance to finally do all the things! And as well-intentioned as they are, they can also cause a lot of anxiety and dread.
Why it’s misguided: Reminding ourselves and our kids not to waste all of our time on social media or binge-watching—let’s be real—shows we’re not even half-interested in is admirable. But saying that now our wildest goals and dreams can be realized because we have a *month* off is pressure. No matter what a tweet says, you cannot write an entire book in a month. So if you or your teens are feeling like you must accomplish something epic to prove you’re not a failure, remember that this type of advice gets us focusing on the wrong thing: ourselves. As this wonderful post from Rooted Ministry reminds us, utilizing the time to accomplish something is not the same as redeeming it.

3 Digital Vigilance
What it is: With everyone turning to the internet during this time of social distancing, our kids could be more at risk for targeting by online predators. 
Why it’s time to be aware: Perhaps even more than usual (is that possible?!), our digital-native kids will be seeking to connect with others via social media, dating apps (for older kids), and even video games. Many of them will be more likely to talk to strangers in the hopes of staving off boredom and loneliness, which is a perfect opportunity for predators to swoop in. We don’t remind you of this to worry you, but to remind you to be vigilant and prepared, always talking with your kids about their online activity and how to know who to trust. It’s also important to enable restrictions on their devices so they can’t download apps without your permission. (Check out our Parent Guides to iOS, Android, and Internet Filtering & Monitoring for more!)

Spotlight
We know that sometimes it’s hard to remember what people even did before the internet and streaming, let alone during times of isolation when they had so much time on their hands, so we brainstormed and came up with 14 Things to Do with Teens If You’re Quarantined. (Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog while you’re there so you never miss a post!) And as promised, here’s the link to The Culture Translator on Google Podcasts.

Coping with Coronanxiety

It’s not easy being Gen Z. For a generation that is almost always online and already prone to anxiety or depression, a global pandemic can be debilitating. A sudden crisis like Covid-19 can overload their maturing emotional operating system, leading our children into bouts of hysteria. Unfortunately, things look like they will get much worse before they get better. 

So, as a family, what can you do to reduce the noise leading your kids to new levels of stress and angst? In addition to “social distancing,” here are six practical things you can do right now to cope with this ongoing crisis.

1. Limit Exposure: If your teen is glued to social media for the latest, breaking alerts, give them a limit for how much time they can spend online each day during this crisis (utilize Apple’s Screen Time or Android’s Digital Wellbeing for this!).
2. Check the Source: If you or your child are only getting news from Twitter, Facebook, or even your favorite news outlet, find other credible sources that tend to be less biased, like the CDC or WHO. 
3. Go Outside: Simply taking a walk in the woods can alleviate stress by connecting us with God’s good creation. Notice the trees and the buttercups, are you not cared for more than these? As environmentalist John Muir wrote, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”
4. Just Read: Nothing invites your children out of their own mood or self-centered story and into the larger world like a great book. Encourage them to read The Diary of Anne Frankor Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place to help them realize others have suffered far more than they are currently suffering.
5. Zoom Zoom: Schedule a video chat so your kids can stay connected with their buddies.
6. Pray: Spend 10 minutes each morning or evening praying as a family. To help guide your time, check out The Daily Office app for daily Scripture and prayers to pray together. 

Keep the Faith!
The Axis Team

March 18, 2020

Parents,

Good morning. I hope you are all doing well and ready to see your student(s) engaged in school work. The students will be hearing from their teachers today and beginning new units of study along with several learning activities. Attached you will find our Distance Learning plan that outlines the roles and responsibilities of the staff along with guidelines for parents and students. It is our goal that this is a positive experience for our students where they not only continue to grow in content knowledge and depth of understanding, but also in the development of exceptional life skills while utilizing technology.

A quick note about IT issues. Most all computer issues can be handled remotely by our IT staff. So if you have any issue with a device, please contact John Black at jblack@mrapats.org. In the event an issue cannot be resolved in this manner, please arrange an appointment with Mr. Black prior to coming to the school.

Thank you so much for your patience, understanding, and continued prayers for our staff and MRA community.

Blessings,
Greg Self

March 17, 2020

MRA Family,

Please watch this video update from Head of School, Termie Land.

March 17, 2020

Canvas Parent Account

As a Parent, you are able to become an “Observer” by creating a Canvas account using MRA’s Canvas Login Tab at the Parental Portal located at www.MRApats.org 

The following steps will allow you to use the self-registration banner on the Canvas tab. Click here for instructions.

To observe your student’s courses, you must know your student's Canvas username and password.

If you receive an invalid username or password message during the signup process and the student's credentials are correct, check with the student to verify that he or she is actively enrolled in the Canvas course.

Parent-Observers will be able to view student information once they have created their own account.  Simply follow the steps included in the attachment will allow you to create your Canvas account.

I encourage you to become an Observer as we launch Distance Learning tomorrow.

Thank you for your patience as we transition to this new instructional model.

Very Respectfully,
Greg Self

March 17, 2020
Greetings From the Principal's Desk

Students,

I know you are concerned and excited about school resuming in the morning, so I wanted to send you a quick note about our Distance Learning launch.  First, I can assure you that your teachers have been working hard and are ready to provide you with the instruction and guidance you will need to be successful in this online modality.  While this is not how we thought the fourth nine weeks would go, we believe our teachers and students are well-positioned to make this a positive learning experience.  In the morning, you will begin receiving correspondence via email from the staff that will outline how coursework will be delivered (along with other details).  Here are a few additional thoughts that can help you be successful.

1. Teachers will have office hours two times a week to answer questions you may have and assist you when needed.  Choose to take advantage of this time via Google Meet when you have questions.  Your teachers are ready, willing, and able to help you through this journey.
2. Take ownership of your learning.  You must choose to be disciplined to sit down each day and say, “I am going to work on this,” as well as the dedication to actually follow through.
3. Actively participate with your peers as you collaborate on your coursework.  Distance learning can sometimes make you feel like you are learning on your own, but you will have opportunities to collaborate with friends.  Your peers can be a valuable resource as you complete assignments and prepare for tests.  
4. Finally, don’t fall into the trap of waiting until the last minute.  Create a daily schedule that you follow, designating certain hours to read, watch lectures, complete assignments, study, and collaborate with peers.

I would like you to go to Self-Serve on your computer and download/install ZOOM (see attached image for the App) to your MacBook.  While we will not begin formal video conferencing for virtual classes until later, I want you to have this program installed.  If you have any problems accessing ZOOM, please contact John Black at jblack@mrapats.org or me.

Below are some guidelines for Student Video Conferencing/Google Meet that I want you all to follow when meeting with faculty members:

• Wear appropriate clothing
• Full coverage clothing, be mindful of what is written on your clothes, etc
  • Have a classroom mindset
  • This is a professional and academic setting
•  Be aware of your background scenery and noise
  • Set up an office/workspace 
  • Find a different location other than your bed. This will help you have a “classroom mindset.” 
  • Look at what is displayed on the walls/furniture behind you. This will all be seen by your peers and teachers.
• Mute your volume until it is your turn to talk
  • Example- If your dog starts barking while your teacher is delivering a lesson, the whole class does not need to be distracted by that.
• Pick out a location that will provide as little interference/distractions as possible
  • Inform your family that you are about to participate in a video conference
• Think before you speak
  • Be kind and respectful at all times (speak as you would in a normal classroom setting)
• Contribute to the learning-do not serve as a distraction for yourself or your peers.
• Do not forget to turn your camera off/quit the video conferencing application at the conclusion of the class meeting/conferencing.

I will have virtual office hours each day at 1:00 pm Monday - Thursday beginning tomorrow.  You may contact me through Google Meet at the following address  https://meet.google.com/ccy-oknw-iwp?hs=122 

This is going to be a new experience for all of us and we look forward to learning together.  

Go PATS!
Mr. Self

March 17, 2020

Elementary Parents:

I hope everyone is able to get your students' materials today.  Pease do not worry.  We will help with every step along the way. 

Below is a link to a screencast for 1st-4th grade parents on how to download seesaw, scan QR code, etc. You can also go to seesaw.me on your computers and use the letters on the home learning code sheet that we are sending home today. The letter code is right above the QR code. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12I0hbxw7IVdt2nt18i84TY0KSD5A0lmK/view?usp=sharing

Additionally, we have opened up Accelerated Reader for the students to test from home Monday-Friday 7:30-3:30. Below is the link.  Students must follow this link to tests.  The link is specific to our school.  

https://hosted271.renlearn.com/90749/ 

All students know their usernames and password.  You can continue to login to the elementary portal to access the AR HomeConnect and Book Finder https://www.mrapats.org/parent-portal/elementary

We are here to serve you.  Please reach out if I can help in anyway. 

Amanda Smillie

March 17, 2020

Elementary Parents,

Thank you so much for your support and understanding during this time. Please be reminded that parents are asked to pick up textbooks and learning materials today. Today will be the only opportunity to gather materials. Our campus will be closed.

Distance Learning will begin tomorrow. Please do not worry. We are a family and will support you throughout this process. Your child’s teacher will be emailing you today explaining the process. This will be very interactive with daily videos and message from our teachers. Please do not be overwhelmed by the packets and materials you will be picking up today. We are preparing ahead, as we do not know our exact return date at this time. We are practicing social distancing so please do not gather and visit. The teachers will not be on campus. Gail will be at the front desk and I will be moving about in the halls.

1 st - 4th grade parents are asked to quickly retrieve their child’s materials from their child’s homeroom class. All materials will be in the student cubbies label by names. Please take everything in the cubby. 1st - 4th grade will be using Seesaw for distance learning. You will find a printed QR code in your child’s cubby You will need this to login. Please keep it and we will send directions today.

5th graders materials will be in their lockers. Locker numbers will be place throughout the hallway so that you can quickly locate your child’s locker. 5 th Grade parents are asked to take everything from their lockers. 5th grade students will continue to use Canvas for distance learning.

Parents will pick up materials based on their student’s last name. This will be a very quick process. We ask you to get your child’s materials and exit the building. If students are quarantined their family is asked not to pick up materials. Parents are asked to contact their child’s teacher if they are quarantined and we will make arrangements for students to get their materials.

You are welcome to park in any open spot nearest your child's hallway.

Please use the chart below to see when you should plan to enter the building.

A-G 1:00-1:30
H-M 1:45-2:15
N-S 2:30-3:00
T-Z 3:15-3:45

MRA has a 2 week plan in place as well as a long term plan, should it become necessary. With the heavy integration of technology and professional development focused on student-centered learning over the past few years, our teachers are well prepared for this type of situation, and we will be in good shape moving forward. We have an excellent faculty, and they are committed to our student learning goals. If we have to deliver instruction remotely for an extended period of time to help our students attain those learning goals, we are prepared and ready to do so.

MRA thanks you for your patience as we navigate this unique situation. Please know that we are committed to continuing our students’ learning experiences, and we hope that each household is able to experience some precious family time during this season of uncertainty.

Additionally there is a Coronavirus Tab added to the top of the Home page. Each email that has been sent to parents and students are linked on the page. We will keep this updated with any further communication. https://www.mrapats.org/coronavirus

Amanda Smillie
Elementary Principal|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-7076|www.MRApats.com
 

March 16, 2020

Hello Parents,

I do not want to overwhelm you with information.  Below you will see a Kindergarten Update. I am thankful for Mr. Land and our board members for investing in the best of the best professional development for our teachers.  It was amazing to see them utilize all the skills they learned in PR. 

 - A link was or will be e-mailed by your child’s teacher to download a free SeeSaw app.  Do not download it until your child’s teacher sends you the information.  We are going to make Distance Learning fun!

 - My Friday newsletter will be put on hold for a few weeks.  All information will be on your SeeSaw Account.

 - You can pick up your child’s packet tomorrow.  I will have 6 teachers helping me hand out the packets.  This will work just like carpool.  Instead of picking up your child, we will hand you the prepared packets.   To keep it running smoothly have your carpool number ready.  Any family member or friend can come pick up your child’s packet.  The kindergarten organized their packets by carpool number.  If you are picking up a packet for a friend, have their carpool number written down largely on a piece of notebook paper.  As much as I would love to give everyone a hug, I will blow them a kiss.  J  We are requesting for everyone to remain in their cars during this process.

• A-G 1:00-1:30
• H-M 1:45-2:15
• N-S 2:30-3:00
• T-Z 3:15-3:45 

Blessings,
Sandy Rawlings
MRA Kindergarten Principal
7601 Old Canton Road
Madison, MS 39110
www.mrapats.com

March 16, 2020

Greetings,

Please read the attached pdf.  It will provide MRA's expectations for 6th - 12th grade students beginning Wednesday, March 18.

Our email addresses are provided at the bottom of this document, should you have further questions for me or Mr. Self.

Thank you,
Ross Hailey
Middle School Principal

March 16, 2020

Happy Monday,

This email is being sent to all 6th - 12th grade students and parents. I hope everyone is making the best they can of our current situation. It’s a unique time in our world right now, and it’s one we’ll continue to navigate day by day. I know that many of you, as parents and as students, are wondering what “school” will look like Wednesday morning. Let me answer some of those questions for you now.

First of all, please remember that our campus is closed. No one should be on campus for any reason other than the prescribed pick-up times on Tuesday afternoon. MRA has a 2 week plan in place as well as a long term plan, should it become necessary.

For this week (and possibly next week), our teachers will be providing instruction and posting assignments in Canvas, and our students will be expected to work on those assignments throughout each day and to meet our teacher-established deadlines.

IF our school isn’t able to meet on campus by March 30, we’ll be rolling out a plan for our students to be “in class” via video conference at specific times on specific days. That isn’t something that our students and parents need to worry about right now, but it is a plan that we are in the process of implementing as seamlessly as possible.

With the heavy integration of technology and professional development focused on student-centered learning over the past few years, our teachers are well-prepared for this type of situation, and we will be in good shape moving forward. We have an excellent faculty, and they are committed to our student learning goals. If we have to deliver instruction remotely for an extended period of time to help our students attain those learning goals, we are prepared and ready to do so.

So Wednesday morning, March 18, our students are expected to do the following:

1. Log into Canvas, and check the “announcements” tab in each class
2. Check their MRA email account.
3. Utilize the tools in Canvas and online textbooks to complete any assignments assigned by the teacher.
4. Utilize email or Canvas to communicate with teachers about questions regarding these assignments. Our teachers will be establishing virtual office hours so that our teachers will be available online to answer any questions that our students may have.

The rest of this week (and possibly next week) will look very similar to the process we have in place for students who are not in school for several days. If we are still out of school on Monday, March 30, that is when our expectations of allotted times in each class period will be put in place.

MRA thanks you for your patience as we navigate this unique situation. Please know that we are committed to continuing our students’ learning experiences, and we hope that each household is able to experience some precious family time during this season of uncertainty.

Thank you,

Ross Hailey
Middle School Principal
rhailey@mrapats.org

Greg Self
High School Principal
gself@mrapats.org

March 16, 2020

MRA Family,

I would like to address a rumor that is circulating that an MRA student has tested positive for COVID-19. That is not true. One of our students recently returned from Disney World and was not feeling well. She was taken to Batson Hospital by her parents and observed by the medical staff there. Her age did not qualify her to be tested. She and her family returned home and are now under medical isolation for a 14-day period until March 30. During this time, they will be in contact with the Batson staff daily so they can continue to monitor her symptoms. The medical staff at Batson reassured the family that there was no reason for her classmates to be concerned about exposure since symptoms did not present until 9 days after school was dismissed for Spring Break. Please be in prayer for this young lady, her family, and for the spread of the coronavirus to be halted. I will continue to send updates as necessary.

Have a blessed day,

Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

March 16, 2020

MRA Family,

We have had a busy day at school preparing for distance learning. The faculty reported this morning, hit the ground running, and have developed plans for our school from K3 thru 12th grade. I am confident the teachers will be engaging our students in academic lessons by Wednesday. I am proud of their attitude and diligence in preparing for this new educational endeavor. All departments from academics, technology, facilities, admissions, and the business office are working together to provide the best service for our students and patrons during this transitional period. I know rumors will be prevalent during this ever evolving situation and in an effort to provide accurate information for our MRA family, I will continue to send periodic updates. I would like to share with you a prayer that I found particularly poignant and appropriate for this time.

As always, I appreciate your support as we partner together in the best interests of our students and families. It is titled “Prayer for a Pandemic” by Dr. Cameron Wiggins Bellm of Seattle, Washington:

May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have had to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, Let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.

March 14, 2020

Kindergarten Parents,

Thank you so much for your support and understanding during this time. Our administration has been working hard to stay on top of this ever-changing situation. Our teachers will be preparing for Distance Learning on Monday and Tuesday. Your child’s teacher will be emailing you on specific instructions on Tuesday. We will begin Distance Learning on Wednesday. Parents will be able to come by the school on Tuesday, March 17 to pick up textbooks and learning materials. K3-K5 teachers will make sure students learning packets are placed in their cubbies. This will help parents quickly grab their child’s materials from the classrooms. Parents will pick up materials based on their child’s last name. This will be a very quick process. We ask you to get your child’s materials and exit the building. If students are quarantined their family is asked not to pick up materials. Parents are asked to contact their child’s teacher if they are quarantined and we will make arrangements for students to get their materials. Please use the chart below to see when you should plan to enter the building. Our commitment to excellence and overcoming adversity is in our DNA! In the words of Buzz Lightyear...Never give up Never Surrender. That will be our kindergarten motto throughout this season. Nothing will stop us from being lifelong learners. It is very important to keep our K5 students current for the upcoming SAT test. I am looking forward to facing these challenges together. Our staff will make it fun. We are learning together. We will be blowing many kisses to our babies via our new apps we will be sending. A-G 1:00-1:30 H-M 1:45-2:15 N-S 2:30-3:00 T-Z 3:15-3:45 I think you know how much the teachers and I would love to visit and hug everyone but Tuesday your help in entering and exiting campus quickly would be appreciated. Additionally, there is a Coronavirus Tab added to the top of the Home page. Each email that has been sent to parents and students are linked on the page. We will keep this updated with any further communication. https://www.mrapats.org/coronavirus

Much Love To You!

Sandy Rawlings
MRA Kindergarten Principal

March 14, 2020

Elementary Parents,

Thank you so much for your support and understanding during this time. Our administration has been working hard to stay on top of this ever changing situation. Our teachers will be preparing for Distance Learning on Monday and Tuesday. Your child’s teacher will be emailing you on specific instructions on Tuesday. We will begin Distance Learning on Wednesday and will continue to support our students and families throughout the process. Parents will be able to come by the school on Tuesday, March 17 to pick up textbooks and learning materials. 1 st -4 th grade teachers will make sure students' textbooks and learning packets are placed in their cubbies. This will help parents quickly grab their child’s materials from the classrooms. 5th graders materials will be in their lockers. Students will pick up materials based on their student’s last name. This will be a very quick process. We ask you to get your child’s materials and exit the building. If students are quarantined their family is asked not to pick up materials. Parents are asked to contact their child’s teacher if they are quarantined and we will make arrangements for students to get their materials. Please use the chart below to see when you should plan to enter the building. A-G 1:00-1:30 H-M 1:45-2:15 N-S 2:30-3:00 T-Z 3:15-3:45 Thank you for your help in entering and exiting campus quickly. As always, please let us know if we can help in anyway. Additionally there is a Coronavirus Tab added to the top of the Home page. Each email that has been sent to parents and students are linked on the page. We will keep this updated with any further communication. https://www.mrapats.org/coronavirus

Amanda Smillie

From: "rhailey@mrapats.org" <rhailey@mrapats.org>
Date: March 14, 2020 at 6:04:07 PM CDT
Subject: Need Something from Campus?
Reply-To: rhailey@mrapats.org

6th - 12th grade Parents and Students:

We understand that some of our students may need to pick up items from the school in order to get started with our classes that will get underway Wednesday.  We will open the school buildings Tuesday afternoon to allow students to come in, grab their items, and immediately exit the school.  This will not be a time like the beginning of school when students are running around and seeing all our teachers and classrooms (though we look forward to more fun, happy moments like that in the future).  Students are invited to enter the school building ONLY IF NECESSARY, and they will need to enter by time and last name assigned.  Please use the chart below to learn when you should plan to the enter the building, and again, this is ONLY IF YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING.

Student Last Name (For Non-Quarantined Students)
A - G   1:00 - 1:30
H - M   1:45 - 2:15
N - S    2:30 - 3:00
T - Z    3:15 - 3:45
ALL SELF-QUARANTINED STUDENTS - 4:00 - 4:30

Again, please understand that this is ONLY for students who MUST have something that is at the school.  This is not meant to be a social hour for students to hang out and catch up. We will be encouraging students to grab items and get right back out of the building.  We will also be encouraging our drivers to not hang out around the parking lot.  Please be mindful of social distancing during your time on campus.  Do not shake hands, high five, fist bump or even elbow bump.  Keep your distance from people, and make your time on campus as brief as possible.

Thank you,
Ross Hailey
Middle School Principal

Greg Self
High School Principal

March 14, 2020

MRA Family,

Following the recommendation of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS), we have made the decision to close school for the week of March 16-20.  We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation.  Also, let me say there is a real possibility that we may extend the closure for an additional period of time.  Currently, we are taking a week-to-week approach.

We will take Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17, to allow faculty members time to modify all classes so instruction is delivered online as part of a coordinated response approved by the MAIS.  Our goal is to have this system up and running on Wednesday, March 18, and at that time we will expect our students to be prepared to engage with their teachers via a learning management system.  6^th-12^th grade students should check their email daily and K3-5^th grade parents will receive informational emails from their principals.  Additional details will be forwarded as soon as they are finalized.  Throughout this process, MRA is committed to ensuring that all students will continue to receive quality instruction consistent with the academic goals and expectations outlined in our mission.

This closure means that we are canceling all school activities until at least March 23.  This includes all athletic events and practices. Campus is closed to all students during this closure period.

We continue to request everyone to self-quarantine for a 14-day period if you have been to any of these areas: Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Washington state, California, New York and/or have traveled on a cruise ship.

Thank you for your support and patience as we work together through this unprecedented situation.

Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867

March 13, 2020

MRA Family,

As stated yesterday the coronavirus situation is fluid and our plans are subject to change in response to new information and recommendations.  MRA will not be open Monday and Tuesday of this week.  Our teachers will be on campus during these two days to begin preparing for distance learning, if we are unable to return to school on Wednesday (and also for those who will be self-quarantining for the next 2 weeks).

As of this afternoon, MRA’s plan is to not hold school on Monday or Tuesday, but to return to school on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

Additionally, we are expanding the area for which we are requiring that you not return to school until you have been in the United States for 14 days.  Therefore, now we are stating:

• That anyone who traveled or came into contact with someone that traveled to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Washington state, California, New York, and/or traveled on a cruise ship will need to self-quarantine for 14 days from the time they returned to the United States.
• Also we are asking that anyone who has traveled to areas of our country that have had confirmed cases of coronavirus are encouraged to use good judgment when deciding whether or not to self-quarantine.
• As stated yesterday if you feel because of your family situation that it is not it in your child’s or your family’s best interest to send your child to school please keep them at home.

·       Note: All absences due to coronavirus will be excused—please notify principal by email.  Perfect attendance awards will be given for first 3 9 weeks.

Also, we have made the decision to delay the Jr./Sr. Prom.  Hopefully we can reschedule at a later date.  Cheerleader and Dance Try-outs will be pushed back one week.

Again, things could continue to change, and we will continue to meet as an administrative team and stay in touch with the officials at MAIS, the state department of education, and other state officials, such as the governor’s office.

Thank you for your understanding, and please continue to practice caution and cleanliness in your home.  We look forward to a great return to school, and we hope that return comes sooner rather than later, but safety must come first.

 Thank you, 

Termie Land

Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com

March 12, 2020

Dear MRA Parents,

I hope you and your family have had a great spring break week.  I want to update you on our plans at this point in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.  The situation is fluid and our plans are subject to change in response to new information and recommendations.

We are monitoring all information made available by the CDC and Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) as the situation continues to develop.  We will be following all recommendations, canceling some events* and working closely with our students to implement and reinforce procedures listed below. ** Also, we have hired additional janitorial staff to help clean and disinfect throughout the day.

Since at this time the MSDH has not recommended to close schools, we will proceed with opening the school this Monday. If, however you feel because of your family situation that it is not it in your child’s or your family’s best interest to send your child to school, please inform your child’s principal by email of the circumstances and these absences will be excused.  Additionally, if you feel your child has been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus and you feel they should self-quarantine, please do so and these absences will be excused also. In any case we will work with your child to help them stay current in their studies.

To meet with faculty and staff prior to the student’s arrival Monday we will be having a late start (students in grades 1-12 will report to school at 8:45 am).  As with all late starts, we will have additional faculty and staff in place to supervise any students that arrive early.

Most importantly, we ask that anyone who is exhibiting any signs of sickness or illness (especially those symptoms that could be associated with the virus) not report to school. (High school students see note below) ***   

If your child or anyone in your family displays any symptoms, you can safely pursue care by first calling your primary care provider’s office and sharing your symptoms. Your primary care provider or an emergency care clinic should be your first line of defense. But please call first to ask how they wish for you to continue so proper protections and protocols can be put into place. This is for your safety and for the safety of those men and women that serve you in your healthcare needs.  Additionally, we ask that anyone that has traveled to a country that is at Level 3 (China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea) to not return to school for a 14-day period. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html

 Finally, know that our greatest concern is for the safety and well-being of all of our families.  By working together, we will get through this event and be stronger as a result.

Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com 

*The following events will be for students only or canceled:

• 2^nd grade play—students only
• 4^th and 5^th grade play—students only
• Elementary recognition chapel—students only
• Middle school chapel—students only
• High school chapel—students only
• 3-year-old grandparent’s day—cancelled

Additional events may be canceled or attendance restricted at a later date and some events may be live streamed—notification made at a later day 

**Recommendations to stop the spread of germs: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/stop-the-spread-of-germs.pdf  

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Do not eat or drink after anyone.
• Do not share technologies (cell phones, laptops, etc.)
• Stay home when you are sick except to get medical care.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

***Note to high school students.  No absences for the 4^th 9 weeks will be counted against you related to exam exemption.  If you meet the exam exemption criteria for absences at the end of the 3^rd 9 weeks. you have satisfied that requirement for the year.

March 2, 2020

Dear MRA Parents,

The health and safety of all MRA students - your children - is our top priority along with our faculty and staff. We continue to monitor closely all news related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. 

According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVIC-19 was first detected in China and has since been detected in many countries around the world, including the United States.  Although no cases have been reported in Mississippi, the situation is being carefully monitored by the Mississippi State Department of Health and other state agencies to permit a rapid public health response if the need arises. The CDC emphasized the coronavirus has not become a pandemic in the U.S.

MRA will continue to monitor new developments of the coronavirus, including consultations with health care professionals and trusted peer schools.  The health of all students and adults on campus is a shared responsibility and so, we would like to remind you of these general recommendations to help prevent the spread of any respiratory virus (like cold or flu and including COVID-19):

• Wash hands, with soap and water, frequently and for a duration of at least 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitizer gel (dispensers are available throughout our campus) when soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects you frequently touch (e.g. cell phones, laptops, keyboards, earbuds, etc.).
• Avoid close contact with people exhibiting symptoms (fever, cough, etc.).
• Stay home if you exhibit symptoms. If you have a fever greater than 100.3 degrees, remain at home until fever-free (without medication) for 24 hours.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and/or sneezing and dispose of tissues in trash receptacles. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
• Do not share drinks or snacks with others.
• Finally, please remember that students take their emotional cues from the adult community. We encourage you to monitor your child's engagement on the topic and help them understand what they are seeing and hearing to avoid anxiety. Being prepared is not a cause for panic or alarm. Here is a helpful article on how to talk to your child about the Coronavirus outbreak.

·         For more information about the coronavirus disease, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web site.

Spring break mission trips are set to depart this week. We are daily monitoring the conditions in the areas to which we will be traveling, and currently, there are no documented cases of the coronavirus in any of our missions’ destinations. Clearly, this is a fluid situation that could require us to be flexible in our plans. We hope and pray that all trips will move forward as planned, but the safety of our students and leaders is most important. Even though conditions are changing each day, we are planning and preparing as if the trips will take place as originally outlined.

This is an evolving situation, and we will continue to follow the latest CDC updates for guidance on the most effective and sensible prevention measures for schools.  In the meantime, we thank you in advance for your understanding and patience as we partner together to protect the health and safety of all our students, faculty and staff.

Termie Land
Head of School|Madison-Ridgeland Academy
7601 Old Canton Road|Madison, MS 39110
(P) 601-856-4455|(C) 601-624-1867
www.MRApats.com