Siena Blog

While distance learning is the new normal in K–12 education, college-bound high schoolers have an additional task: college research and tours. Seniors might be wondering how they may tour and then choose a college for next year without actually visiting campus.  

Many colleges are closed as a result of COVID-19 and are canceling admissions tours and other events. College visits and open houses are still happening, though, and resources continue to become available to learn about campus life and academics virtually. Here are a few ways to do so:

 1. Understand how much the admissions process has changed as a result of COVID-19.

Usually, May 1st is the deadline for seniors to decide which college they'll attend. But, with COVID-19 making it impossible for seniors to attend accepted students’ days or overnight visits, many colleges are extending their deadline to enroll until June 1st. Students may reach out to the colleges they’ve been accepted to for more information. Here’s a list by ACCEPT of many colleges that have adopted the new deadline. 

Seniors can make the most of this postponement by reaching out to colleges for more information as they weigh their options. Forbes has published “The COVID College Choice: How to Pick a College During a Global Pandemic”; it offers some helpful tips and a useful acronym to help college-bound students and their families keep things in perspective.

And, although the ACT and SAT have canceled their April and May test dates, students may still register to take the June test. Some colleges are considering going test-optional for the entire class of 2021 in light of COVID-19; check the websites of any colleges you’re interested in for their policies.

 2. Take virtual tours of the colleges you’re interested in. 

Many colleges offer remote 360° tours and virtual reality experiences of their campuses, as well as basic information about the schools. 

Rebecca Chabrow, director of enrollment management at Gratz College, has assembled a detailed list of over 900 colleges that offer some kind of virtual tour; there’s also data on location and student population.

 3. Reach out by phone or email to admissions representatives. It’s a good idea to prepare a list of questions in advance. 

Katherine Daley-Bailey, an advisor in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Georgia, suggests a few questions based on those she’s received at orientations and other open-house events:

• What resources does the school have on setting expectations and time management? What can students start doing now to prepare themselves for college life? (See this example from Southern Methodist University.)
• What scholarships and other opportunities are available for tuition reduction?
• Do freshmen have to live in a dorm in their first year? And, can freshmen have a car on campus?  
• How can students learn about the courses offered to freshmen? How does the registration process work? 
• What does a typical workload, average credit hour disbursement, and first semester look like? 

This is also a good time to ask prospective colleges about what kinds of learning support they offer students: e.g., the writing center, assistive technology, tutoring services, and workshops on study skills and library research. See here for some of the college-prep resources The Siena School offers its students.  

 4. Ask the admissions office to connect you with students at their school who share your interests.  Get in contact with alumni.  

Online communication and networking have become essential. To replicate the typical follow-up experience after a college tour, students could reach out to admissions and student affairs offices to get directed to relevant online groups or other resources. 

Students could also schedule a call or video conference with any alumni that their school’s college counselor puts them in touch with. 

Doing some research and outreach now is good training for what students will have to do at college: taking initiative, self-advocating, and managing their own time without direct guidance from teachers or advisors. Managing some of the college research process virtually can help students make informed choices about where they’ll attend in the fall; it can also start building an online support network to aid the transition. 

Distance learning continues to push teachers to find new, flexible strategies to keep the learning going. Regardless of the subject, flexibility and resourcefulness are crucial for learning at home. Art instruction helps children with the development of motor and language skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness. 

Siena art teacher J. Coleman has transitioned the classroom experience to teach his classes virtually. Mr. Coleman has used software and apps—like AirServer Universal, IbisPaint, and Isosceles geometry sketchpad—to mirror his screen, demonstrate a specific style, teach color and perspective, and zoom in on something he’s drawn. In his first week of distance-teaching, Mr. Coleman screen-shared an optical illusion drawing that he did on his tablet. Then, his students shared and discussed their own drawings. 

Mr. Coleman also had high-school students set up their own still lifes from common household items; they then shared the results to compare and discuss their styles (pictured below).

Media is important to distance learning as well: Mr. Coleman has had his students watch YouTube video resources from art teachers; they’ve then discussed what they’ve viewed and completed various drawing exercises modeling the style of the artist. The Arts Education Partnership has also shared an extensive list of resources to aid telework, virtual arts education, and more. 

In addition to drawing and creating art in the home, students have many options for free virtual field trips to learn from artists, visit museums, and close-study specific works of art. Google Arts & Culture is a good portal into many different works of art, museums, and other art-focused content, such as Frida Kahlo’s diary and some little-know facts about Claude Monet. 

Interactive Art Classes

• A handful of famous illustrators are offering free, family-friendly art classes and read alongs. For families with younger children there are also Mo Willems’s Lunch Doodles with Mo, featuring some of his beloved characters (Pigeon, Gerald, Piggie, and more). 
• New York Times bestselling illustrator Wendy MacNaughton continues to do #DrawTogether on her Instagram page. 
• Closer to home (for us) is this art contest for families in Montgomery County, MD; check for similar online contests in your area. 

Viewing Famous Paintings

Families can also see many well-known works of art more closely than they ever could in person:

• Vincent Van Gogh, The Bedroom
• Rembrandt van Rijn, The Night Watch
• Johannes Vermeer, Girl with a Pearl Earring
• Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait With Monkey
• Tawaraya Sōtatsu, Waves of Matsushima
• Jacob Lawrence, Ambulance Call

There are also some multimedia guided tours of famous works of art: 

• Pieter Bruegel, The Tower of Babel (Leslie Feist)
• Claude Monet, The Gare Saint-Lazare (Jarvis Cocker)
• Van Gogh, The Starry Night (Maggie Rogers)
• Edvard Munch, The Scream (Maggie Rogers)

Art Museums

While the museums themselves are closed, many are open for virtual tours. A weekly museum trip could be a good creative opportunity. 

• The Metropolitan Museum of Arts, MetKids (New York) 
• Guggenheim Museum (New York)
• National Gallery of Art (DC) - Link
• Musée d’Orsay (Paris)
• The Louvre (Paris)
• Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam)
• Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam)
• National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Seoul)

(Note: We do not endorse any of these apps/sites. Please check the privacy and appropriateness for your child.)

Whether it’s making art oneself or experiencing it remotely, creativity is especially important now that most of our community-building is virtual. Exposure to the arts and the continuance of artistic expression may be a meaningful outlet for many. 

While we’re all being extra-aware of physical health and wellness, remember that our mental health, anxiety management, and self-care are important as well. We’re learning more each day about what to do to keep ourselves and others healthy physically. There are also resources to help support your own and your family’s mental health during this time of distance learning.

Note: The Siena School does not endorse or assume responsibility for any of the programs, services or individuals listed below. This list is solely for the reader’s information.

2-1-1 Maryland

2-1-1 Maryland is partnership of four agencies working together to provide simple access to health and human services information. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services. Our specially trained call specialists answer calls 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Learn more here

Child Mind Institute

In addition to numerous articles helping parents navigate this challenging time, the Child Mind Institute is offering the following clinical and supportive resources:

• Facebook Live video chats with expert clinicians (10am and 8pm) 
• Remote evaluations and telemedicine
• Flat-fee phone consultations for problem behavior
• Daily parent tips on childmind.org, Facebook and Instagram at 8am

EveryMind

During this time of heightened anxiety, EveryMind is encouraging people to utilize their phone, text, and chat call specialists. They are available 24/7 to listen and provide support. This service is free and open to all members of the community. You do not have to be in crisis to connect with EveryMind. Reach out even if you are just looking for ways to support someone you are concerned about.

Call/Text: 301-738-2255

GoZen

GoZen is a suite of educational programs and tools designed to give parents and practitioners what they need to arm kids with essential life skills to not only manage anxiety but to live with deeper engagement and purpose.

During this challenging time, GoZen is offering video chats by four experts to discuss the myriad of challenges that families are navigating.

Helping Kids Play Independently - Avital Schreiber-Levy

Helping Kids Manage Coronavirus Fears - Dr. Laura Markham

Helping Parents Navigate Life Changes Due to Coronavirus - Dr. Shefali Tsabary

Applying Mindfulness to Quell Anxiety - Dr. Elisha & Dr. Stefanie Goldstein

Resources to Help Manage Anxiety

Counselor Keri Blog Post: Helping Kids Who are Worried About the Coronavirus

Counselor Keri: Worry Warrior Videos for our 4th-6th grade students

NY Times Article: 5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus

CNN Article: How to Keep Coronavirus Fears from Affecting Your Mental Health
 

Resources to Help Manage Anxiety - Apps/Online Activities

Calm: Free Curated Resources for Guided Meditations, Calming Sounds, Movement, etc

Reach Out Australia: Various apps to help manage stress and anxiety 

Positive Psychology: 25 Mindfulness Exercises and Games

Free Mindfulness Classes: For Elementary Students

Note: We do not endorse these apps. Check the privacy and appropriateness for your teen.

Our physical and mental health are strongly connected, and you can get the support you need to maintain both for your family—and yourself. Siena will continue to share valuable tips and ideas as we learn more about how to take care of our whole selves. Help is available online and in our communities