Berea Academy is Moving Online

Berea Academy Saint Louis COVID-19 Plan

Moving online for the next three weeks is an opportunity for all of us to grow and learn.  We are still a family, and we are still a community of people working together to prepare the youth of today for the challenges of tomorrow.  It looks like tomorrow’s challenge decided to sneak into today, but no worries…God is not surprised, and we are ready.

On March 15, 2020, St Louis area leaders met to discuss policies to manage the COVID-19 illness. These leaders have:

  • Banned social gatherings over 50 people
  • Recommended closure of  all schools by Wednesday, March 18
  • Stated these guidelines will be reevaluated on April 3, 2020

Due to the recommendations of our government leaders, we have decided to move forward with remote education beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020.  We are suspending classes for one day only, March 17, 2020. Teachers and staff will be using March 16 and March 17 to prepare for remote education. 

What should I do?  I feel out of my element.

This is a constantly shifting situation. We’re asking you to partner with us during this time. We will be here to help and support one another, whether it be with prayer, educational materials, humor, or toilet paper (or all of the above).

What can you do now?

  1. Pray. Ask God for blessing upon His people, healing, wisdom, patience, and compassion. May God rain His gifts upon us until our lives overflow with Him. May we act as beacons in the darkness during this time.
  2. If you have not filled out the Remote Education Form, please do so now. You can Click Here to Go Directly to Form
  3. Check your email daily for information from Berea. We work hard to limit Berea’s official emails so you don’t feel spammed by us. However, email is the most reliable way for us to communicate with you at this time. If you have not signed up for text alerts, please text @4837dh to 81010.
  4. Berea has set up a private YouTube channel. This channel can be used by the teachers and students to post content related to class. The link for the channel will be made available as needed to our students. Before students use the YouTube channel, speak with them about the importance of keeping the link private in our community. If someone requests access to the channel, please send them to Judy Musick, Beth Mennemeyer, or the appropriate teacher – do not forward the link yourselves.
  5. Berea teachers are training to use the online meeting platform Google Hangouts Meet. To read more about the platform, click here for google support.
  6. Expect your class to meet online at the same time you have been meeting in person. Some classes will have a lecture on the YouTube channel for the students to watch before the class. Teachers will contact their students to provide a specific plan

So what happens next?

Our current schedule:

  •  March 17, 2020 – class suspended for teacher training and materials pickup
  • March 18-19, 2020 – remote education begins
  • March 24-26 and March 31-April 2, 2020 – remote education continues
  • April 7-9, 2020 – No School, Easter Break 

The local officials have indicated they will reevaluate the situation on April 3, 2020. Berea Academy will make additional plans after this reevaluation. 

We will keep in touch with you. However, if you have any questions you can email Beth Mennemeyer at bereaacademystl@gmail.com.