COVID-19 Information

March 27, 2020 

 

As many of you know, counselors and some teachers at schools like Notre Dame are using the Zoom application to conference remotely with students and parents. Zoom allows students and teachers to see and communicate with each other in real-time, which is providing tremendous support for our community during this time. Unfortunately, there are some nefarious individuals who are gate-crashing or “Zoom-bombing” these conferences and posting racially and culturally insensitive material as well as pornographic images and videos. This week courses at USC and other colleges and universities were Zoom-bombed, as was the Conejo Valley Unified School District. Sadly, several of our sophomore history classes, a French class, and a ninth-grade history class were also Zoom-bombed this week and we are currently investigating to see if we can determine whether or not it was done by one of our own students, or someone outside the NDHS family. My sincerest apologies to the students and teachers who were subjected to the insulting derogatory comments. I know that anxiety and uncertainty are heightened during this time, and this kind of behavior makes things even worse. Please know that our technology department is working with Zoom to try and prevent these kinds of hijacks from happening again, but unfortunately we cannot police what our students may be doing at home, and this is where we really need parent support.

 

Parents, please make sure you speak with your child about the importance of protecting their own online identity, and the identity of others. Please remind them that we need their support. Our teachers and staff are working extremely hard on their behalf to keep them connected to their teachers and to each other, and it is disheartening and disrespectful when students impede our ability to do so by sabotaging these Zoom conferences. 

 

Here are some ways to prevent this situation from happening again:

 

 



 

We appreciate everyone’s support during this difficult time, and while we want to assume the best of our students I feel compelled to issue this warning: if we determine that any of this Zoom-bombing behavior or inappropriate use of social media is the result of a Notre Dame student or students, the person or persons responsible will face dismissal. Our administrative staff is trying to keep school running for 1,250 students, and our time is better spent supporting our teachers and students who are grateful and eager to learn, rather than attempting to police students who are lacking in maturity and good character.  

 

Given how hard everyone is working, I also want you to be aware that I have given faculty the option of not holding classes on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Easter break, April 7th and 8th. Many of them need some time to catch up on their grading and lesson planning. Please be aware, however, that there are some teachers who will need to hold class on those days because of the way their courses have been mapped out, and/or due to the heavy content-nature of their courses. Other teachers may assign assessments or assignments for students to do on those days, but not require students to log in at the regularly scheduled class time. Students and parents are asked to be supportive of our teachers as they try to navigate these individual situations.

 

Finally, I am asking for continued conversations at home around issues of academic integrity. It is disappointing to see some students continue to take advantage of the online situation by cheating on quizzes and copying others’ homework assignments. We can, and must do better as Holy Cross men and women. With my sincerest thanks for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement.

 

Online courses begin Wednesday, March 18. 

 

Please take some time to read all of these attachments so that you are prepared for class at 8:25 a.m. tomorrow morning (Wednesday, March 18.) The attachments are as follows:

 

*The copy of the blue and gold schedule contain slightly revised times. Since there are no bells at home to remind you of class time, you may want to set alarms. 

 

Please continue to check your emails several times each day, and check the school’s website and your Canvas account frequently.

 

Please click on the link below to access information about how we plan to move from on-campus classes to an online learning environment beginning March 16-20. You will also find additional information about school activities and athletics.