Using Zoom, Mini-Performances, and More
April 7
Dear Atrium Families,
The sunny weather and startlingly clear skies in recent days have been uplifting! Even as we approach a difficult crux in the COVID-19 pandemic, I grow increasingly optimistic for the weeks and months ahead. Spring always brings renewal and hope, and that will be particularly important and meaningful this year.
This message contains important information about:
A new date for the head of school “Fireside Chat” announced last week
Mini-Performances scheduled for Friday April 17
Refinements in Atrium’s use of Zoom for video conferencing
This year’s giraffe-themed Atrium t-shirts! The closing date for orders has been extended to Friday April 10.
Fireside Chat: With many family and faith holidays coming this week, the head of school Fireside Chat has been moved to 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 16. Access credentials will be shared next week.
Mini-Performances will be held virtually on Friday April 17 at 2:00 pm! Credentials for accessing Mini-Performances will be sent next week. Here’s how to participate:
Individual students, siblings, and whole families can create, practice and polish the usual wonderful array of music, magic, dancing, theatre, martial arts, etc! Once you have rehearsed, make a video and submit it. One submission per child.
Your video must be in horizontal (landscape) format and no more than two minutes in length. Submit to the "Mini-Performances 4/17" file in the "Families Communications Folder" in MyAtrium. Submissions must be received by Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00 pm, so that we can link them all together into a single continuous reel.
Refinements in how Atrium uses Zoom
About three weeks ago, we began using many new digital tools to make learning accessible and whenever possible, to make communication interactive and dynamic. Among others, Zoom video conferencing has become a versatile and helpful digital tool for all of us. You may have noticed that this week, our use of Zoom has changed. Passwords and waiting rooms are the new norm for Zoom, as well as numerous other controls. In addition to Zoom’s increased privacy measures, Atrium has also taken appropriate measures to increase security. We have:
Purchased an upgraded education package which is fully compliant with the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Many schools have opted for less expensive routes to resolve the issue, but this investment provides Atrium with a better security.
Sought continuous counsel with our technology advisors, OunceIT and implementing key safety steps, including:
Keeping zoom meetings and ID numbers private
Consistently changing our invitation ID numbers
Using the “waiting room” function so that the meeting leader specifically is “opening the door” to known guests
Locking our Zoom meetings
Continued intensive professional development sessions for teachers and staff to maintain a consistent standard of usage across the school.
If you have additional concerns or questions, please reach out to me or to Kathy Hanson.
Purchase 2020 Atrium t-shirts for your family! This beloved tradition features a lovable Atrium giraffe on brightly colored shirts, drawn by 7th-grader Lauren! Get them here via an online order form, open until this Friday, April 10. You can pick out your size, color and style at the website and pay online. Home delivery or delivery to Atrium are both available.
Thank you for your continued strength and resilience. As always, if you have any questions, needs or concerns, reach out to me or members of the Atrium team.
Warmly,
Marshall