Parent Tips

Distance Learning Suggestions

1. Establish routines and expectations

It is important to develop good habits from the start.

  • Create a routine and talk about how it’s working over time.
  • Help students treat distance learning as their average day: get up, get dressed and ready to learn at a reasonable time.
  • Keep normal bedtime routines, including normal rules for digital devices.


2. Choose a good place to learn

  • Your family’s regular learning space for occasional homework might not work for extended periods.
  • Set up a physical location that’s dedicated to school-focused activities. Make sure it is quiet, free from distractions and has a good internet connection.
  • Keep doors open, and practice good digital safety. Our teachers and counselors will do the same.


3. Stay in touch

Teachers will mainly be communicating regularly through our online platforms and virtual learning environments.

  • Make sure everyone knows how to find the help they need to be successful.
  • Stay in contact with teachers, school leaders and counselors but understand it may take a day or two for us to respond.
  • Make sure your Aeries account is set to receive notifications by both phone and email
  • If you have concerns, let someone know.


4. Help students ‘own’ their learning

Provide support and encouragement, and expect your children to do their part.

  • Struggling is allowed and encouraged!
  • Don’t help too much.
  • Becoming independent takes lots of practice. At Pioneer, your child usually engages with others students and any number of adults hundreds of times each day. Many of these social interactions will continues from a distance, but they will be different.


5. Begin and end the day by checking-in

In the morning, you might ask:

• What classes/subject do you have today?

• Do you have any assignments due today, Do you have any assessments today?

• What resources do you need?

• What can I do to help?


At the end of the day you might ask:

• What did you discover? What was hard?

• What could we do to make tomorrow better?

These brief grounding conversations matter. Checking in students to process instructions they received from their teachers, and it helps them organize themselves and set priorities. Not all students thrive in distance learning; some struggle with too much independence or lack of structure. These check-in routines can help avoid later challenges and disappointments. They help students develop self-management and executive functioning that are essential skills for life.