#FlamesStrong: EMS Remains Engaged and Active During COVID-19 Shutdown
Eastern Mennonite School halls are quiet and traditional visitation days are cancelled as EMS joins others to “flatten the curve” during the coronavirus outbreak. But EMS is still an active school engaged in home-based learning that focuses on academics, social and emotional well-being, physical and outdoor education, and faith formation.
Distance learning
EMS launched its distance learning program on March 18 with a goal of building community first.
In a video on the first day, Justin King, high school principal, and Maria Archer, K-8 principal, assured students that they are most concerned about student well-being and wanted to make home-based learning as stress free as possible.
On Monday, March 23, Paul Leaman, head of school, launched our online mini chapel series, just a few hours before we learned that Governor Northam had called for the closing of Virginia schools for the rest of the academic year. Additional mini chapels will be recorded by faculty and staff and shared most days with a 6th to 12th grade audience in mind.
Elementary students will hear Maria Archer, K-8 principal, read a book and share reflections and a prayer as part of their weekly virtual Gathering, which normally happens on Wednesday mornings. See the first video featuring the children’s story One, by Kathryn Otoshi.
Read about how we are staying connected and actively learning and engaged during the coronavirus outbreak. You’ll find a gallery of images there from our home-based teachers (some at right) and find links to resources for health and well-being that are updated regularly.
Students and teachers are encouraged to submit photos of their school work and activities during this time for gallery posting and a video later in the term. Send submissions to FlamesStrong@easternmennonite.org
Virtual Visitation
Scheduled visitation dates for prospective families are cancelled, but Marsha Thomas, our admissions counselor, is still busy working on enrollment for fall 2020-21. Openings remain for middle and high school, and scholarship opportunities are available. First grade has openings at the elementary level while other grades are taking applicants for waiting lists.
Email admissions@easternmennonite.org or call 540-236-6021. For a virtual tour, explore our:
– website
– YouTube channel
– Chapel YouTube channel (grades 6 to 12)
– Touring Choir channel
