Dear Parents
Onsite & Hybrid Learning In A COVID-19 World
Over the past year, frequent changes in the national safe management measures have made the resumption of onsite lessons exceptionally challenging to comply with.
While our digital learning experience has been enjoyable and impactful for many students, we also recognise that some students may not learn as well in a digital environment, as compared to an onsite environment.
In addition, it seems like we can also continue to expect regular changes in government regulations depending on the severity of the pandemic until the virus is completely eradicated.
As such, we have quietly taken steps in this current quarter to make our learning environment more suitable for onsite and hybrid learning in a post-COVID world which your child can benefit from.
Our Previous Learning Environment: Constraints & Struggles
Previously, we were using large conference tables in our classroom environment, which provided a generous amount of space for learning and interaction between students.
While it was a fantastic setup for in-class discussions, it gradually became a problem when we had to comply with frequent changes in safe distancing regulations.
As a general rule of thumb, our ability to support onsite lessons can be illustrated in the table below:
Our New Learning Environment: How Things Will Change
In Q4 this year, we have decided to replace all of our conference tables with modular furniture pieces, so that we can become more adaptable to various safe distancing regulations than before.
We went through an extensive procurement process to ensure that these classroom furniture pieces meet our strict requirements:
✅ The tabletop needs to be big enough for students to write comfortably (minimum A3 in size: 420mm x 210mm).
✅ The chair needs to be sturdy, has decent ergonomics and is comfortable to sit on.
✅ We should be able to fit 12 students comfortably within our existing classrooms.
Eventually, we shortlisted a local furniture retailer, who supplied us with a lecture chair & table setup that was designed and manufactured in Taiwan.
As these pieces are produced, assembled and shipped in small batches, there was a substantial lead time before we are able to implement this setup across all of our classrooms.
Now, from Term 1 2022 onwards, things will change for the better. In particular:
- We’re able to resume onsite classes completely when students can be organised in groups of no more than 5 students (as compared to a partial onsite resumption in the previous setup).
- We’re able to resume onsite classes partially in the form of hybrid learning (i.e. alternate between onsite & digital lessons) when students can be organised in groups of no more than 2 students (as compared to NO onsite lessons in the previous setup).
We are taking an optimistic view on how things will pan out next year. Ultimately, this will depend on whether there are any new regulations that we need to grapple with.
Like before, even if we are in a position to resume onsite lessons completely, students may choose to attend lessons digitally in hybrid classes if they prefer to. Make-up lessons will still be attended digitally due to administrative reasons.
We’ve added a photo gallery below for you to take a quick peek at our new classroom spaces!
Lastly, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to you for your kind understanding and patience with us over the past year.
We look forward to seeing your child at our Centre next year!
Happy Holidays~ 🎄
Warmest Regards,
The Pique Lab Team
How Lessons Will Change For Our Regular Classes
Between From 14th June 2021 (Monday) to 1st July 2021 (Thursday):
- All regular classes will be conducted digitally via Zoom.
From 2nd July 2021 (Friday) onwards:
- There will be a change in how lessons are conducted in hybrid classes*
- Students who are currently attending onsite lessons in hybrid classes will alternate between attending an onsite lesson at the Centre and a digital lesson on Zoom every week.
- Students who are currently attending digital lessons in hybrid classes will continue to attend these classes digitally.
- All existing permanent digital weekly, regular classes will continue to function as digital classes till the end of the academic year (November 2021).
*Students who are enrolled in hybrid classes can opt to attend their lessons via Zoom (without attending any lessons onsite) if desired.
⚠️ Please note that full resumption of onsite lessons from hybrid classes can only take place after the ministries lift all tightened social distancing measures.
Permanent Digital Class
Your child will join a permanent digital class where lessons are conducted live via Zoom every week based on the scheduled day and time.
Your child’s teacher will engage the students in the virtual classroom using the web camera and microphone.
Lesson handouts will be reviewed together in real-time and important parts of the worksheet will also be annotated on your child’s screen.
Hybrid Class (Onsite/Digital)
Your child will be assigned to a specific learning group where he/she will alternate between attending onsite lessons at the Centre and digital lessons* every week.
Aside from using the same set of learning materials, your child can also expect to see the exact same content on his/her screen or the whiteboard.
*We also permit students to attend hybrid classes exclusively via Zoom until all strict social distancing measures have been lifted.
Here’s How Our Hybrid Learning Model Works In Our Regular Classes
Your child will be assigned to a specific learning group (Group A or Group B) where he/she will alternate between attending onsite lessons at the Centre and digital lessons* every week.
OR
Your child can also attend the hybrid classes exclusively via Zoom until further notice.
If you would like to change your decision at any point in time, please let our Customer Care team know in order to make the necessary arrangements.
Resuming Onsite Lessons Safely Together With You
Students who will be attending onsite lessons at our Centre will have to abide by the following regulations. Please read through the following carefully if your child will be attending onsite lessons.
Onsite Lesson Regulations
-
If your child or anyone in the same household is unwell, your child will NOT be able to attend lessons onsite at the Centre and will have to attend digitally via Zoom.
Students who are placed on Leave of Absence (LOA) or Approved Absence (AA) by their schools and/or are on a Stay Home Notice (SHN) or Home Quarantine Order (HQO) will NOT be permitted to enter the premises.
In the event that any student is having respiratory symptoms and/or fever, they will NOT be allowed to attend their lessons onsite at the Centre as well.
In such cases, students will have to attend digitally via Zoom. If your child is affected, please inform our Customer Care team via WhatsApp message or call as soon as possible.
- All students will be required to check-in via TraceTogether app/token. If any student does not have the app or token on them, they will NOT be permitted to enter the premises.
-
All make-up lessons will have to be attended digitally via Zoom ONLY. Each student will be allocated 3 make-up lesson arrangements per term and make-up lesson arrangements are subject to availability. There will be NO fee credit in the event that a student is unable to attend for the 4th lesson onwards or if there are no available make-up lessons for the academic week.
Our 2021 academic week runs from Fridays to Thursdays.
Keeping Your Child Safe With Enhanced Measures
From the beginning, your child’s safety and well-being have always been important to us. We will be adopting a series of government-mandated measures to make our onsite experience as safe as possible for our learners.
TraceTogether-only SafeEntry Registration & Temperature Screening
Every student authorised to attend onsite lessons will need to report to the Temperature Screening Station before attending the class:
(i) Undergo health screening (temperature taking & health declaration)
(ii) Check-in via TraceTogether only if the following conditions are met:
- You/your child have not had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days
- You/your child are not currently under a Stay Home Notice (SHN) or Home Quarantine Order (HQO)
- Your child has not been placed on Leave of Absence (LOA) or Approved Absence (AA) by their schools
- You/your child do not have a fever or flu-like symptoms
- You/your child agree to the terms and consent to the collection and use of your information for the purpose of COVID-19 contact tracing
✳️ Please ensure that your child brings along his/her TraceTogether token or mobile phone with the TraceTogether App to facilitate the SafeEntry processing.
⚠️NOTE:
(1) Please ensure that your child brings along his/her TraceTogether token OR a mobile device with the TraceTogether app from 17 May 2021.
(2) Check-in via the SafeEntry QR code via camera or Singpass app will no longer be permitted from 17 May 2021. Students who are unable to check-in via TraceTogether will not be permitted to enter the classroom and there will be no rescheduling or fee refund.
(3) If your child is living in the same household as a family member who is unwell, he/she should not be attending his/her onsite lesson for that particular week.
(4) Staff and students who are unwell (i.e. fever or respiratory symptoms) will not be allowed to enter our premises.
Revised In-Class Seating Arrangement
Students attending onsite lessons (up to 7 in a class) will be split into two groups with at least 1-metre distancing between both groups.
As much as possible, we will attempt to assign onsite classes across all of our classrooms in the other units on the same level to avoid intermingling between students.
Entry/exit timings of all students will also be staggered.
Serene Centre: #02-05A/#02-17A/#02-20
Crown Centre: #01-06/#01-07
Disinfection Between Classes & Regular, Extensive Sanitisation Efforts
Classrooms will also be thoroughly sanitised before and after classes.
We have also stepped up our sanitisation efforts in classrooms and common areas with the use of NEA-approved professional cleaners.
Deep cleaning by fogging non-toxic, skin-friendly chemicals has also been scheduled on a weekly basis.
Use of Masks
All students will be required to wear a mask at the Centre. Students can choose to wear a face shield on top of a mask for additional protection if desired.
Easy Access to Sanitisers
Automated hand sanitiser dispenser machines have also been installed along all common areas for students to use when necessary.
Safe Distancing Control In Common Areas
Aside from the installation of safe distancing markers on the ground, safe distancing ambassadors will also be deployed to remind students to keep a safe distance from each other.
As much as possible, parents who are picking up their children should make pick-up arrangements at Level 1 to avoid crowding the waiting areas.
Changes to Reception Operations
Our Reception will also remain CLOSED for enquiries and payment.
If you would like to learn more about our programmes or products, please contact us via WhatsApp, Email or Live Chat.
Be It Digital or Onsite Lessons, We’ve Got Your Back.
Here’s How We Make It Easy For Parents & Students!
Step 1
Pick your preferred class based on the available dates & time and preferred learning arrangement (digital/onsite).
Once we have received your child’s registration, we’ll confirm the lesson details with you via WhatsApp.
Step 2
Sit back & relax while we courier the handouts required for the class to your home.
Install Zoom on your child’s learning device if you have not done so.
Step 3
One Day Prior To The Lesson:
Digital Students
You will receive the virtual classroom credentials and what to prepare for the class via WhatsApp.
Onsite Students
You will receive a reminder via WhatsApp on where your child should report and what to prepare for the class.
Step 4
On The Day Of The Lesson:
Digital Students
Your child should log into the virtual classroom 5 minutes before the lesson, with his/her handouts and stationery.
Onsite Students
If your child is scheduled to attend onsite lessons at our Centre, please arrive 15 minutes before the class to complete the temperature screening and SafeEntry admission procedures.