b'EDUCATION"We were lucky enough to have had very few COVID cases, but as soon as we had a positive test result, we made everyone in the immediate contact group aware, and they were able to self-isolate"Robert Harrison, ACS International SchoolsLevy:Im very lucky to work with people who share the value and importance of being flexible. Weve had short periods of time where students had not arrived yetTHE SCHOOLSand weve found ways to bring LCC to them when they couldnt come to us.Kittell:Remote learning has evolved rapidly with ourACS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS tech-savvy teachers leading the way, sharing their expertiseFounded in 1967 to serve the needs of global and local and creatively expanding online learning that is custom- families, ACS International Schools educate over 3,700 day ized for their students needs. A lot happens outside theand boarding students aged 2 to 18 from more than 100 coun-classroom as well. Im referring to a near-equal measure oftries. ACS operates three non-sectarian and co-educational extracurricular programs, including sports, drama, musicschools in Greater London (U.K.) and one in Doha, Qatar.and the arts.Harrison:Video has become a very powerful tool toCANADIAN ACCREDITED INDEPENDENT SCHOOLSuse for many thingsfrom simple safety instructionsCAIS is the accrediting body for independent schools in to updating parents and staff on rules and regulations.Canada. It has 93 member schools, 29 of which are boarding Transparency and speed [have also been important]. Weschools serving 377 expatriate boarding students whose were lucky enough to have had very few COVID cases,parents are Canadian citizens currently working outside the but as soon as we had a positive test result, we madecountry, and more than 2,044 international boarding students everyone in the immediate contact group aware, and theywhose parents are non-Canadian citizens (including some were able to self-isolate. residing in Canada).Are there unexpected benefits? LOWER CANADA COLLEGEOpened in 1909 and located in Montreal, LCC is a diverse, Parke:Two years ago we would have thought changecoeducational, K-12 university preparatory school with happens very slowly in independent schools, and I thinkcurrently over 800 students. LCC is an International Bacca-thats a great approach, but I think change can happenlaureate World School and the only English school in Quebec at a quicker pace. People we might not have identifiedoffering both the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and as leaders had the opportunity to really step forwardDiploma Programme (DP).and shine, and this pandemic has really amplified the value proposition of an independent school, especially boarding schools.Levy:Theres value to offering information sessions by videoconference; it allows you to do things more frequently without putting families out. The pandemic has shown us what we can do to market our school beyond Montreal; it has provided opportunities that we never really considered.Mazaz:With remote learning, we found parents to be more involved with at-home learning for their child. It also encourages students to self-manage their academic program and develop a sense of responsibility for their own learning. Students resilience has grown, and they have mastered new skills.Kittell:Sadly, there may never be another snow day!20PERSPECTIVES Summer 2021'