The Story
The kids are online, too.
Give me the details…
We know how remote learning works at the high school, but we wanted to know what’s going on in the district (did you know it’s not just the high school?) We talked to administration members and students to see what’s up.
What about the other schools?
Apparently, the elementary schoolers have a pretty different model of remote learning then the high schoolers do. At Riddle Brook, the students (read: parents) get emails every day from their teacher with lessons. Two weeks ago, students in grades 1-4 were able to pick up Chromebooks to use at home, according to the principal. The exception to this are the kindergarteners, who don’t have Google accounts. Instead, their teachers have blogs, where they post worksheets and videos.
What else?
Students in grades 2-4 can use Google Classroom, but like the high school, they also use Flipgrid, Screencastify, and other extensions. They even have lessons in art, music, and physical education classes. We were not this technologically advanced in elementary school. Does anyone remember the Chromebook carts? That was our childhood…
And?
As a big surprise, Ross A. Lurgio’s online school system is a lot like the high school’s (you didn’t have to change your school colors, Lurgio.) The main difference is the inclusion of homeroom, where attendance is taken, and of course, the IAs. FACS obviously can’t sew their gym bags, and tech ed can’t use the woodshop.
All in all…
The biggest commonality between the schools we looked at was everyone missing their classmates, and teachers missing their students. We guess no one knows what they have until it’s gone. We’ll never complain about school again, we promise.
The Runaway
The entire district has many ways of running online school, and these kids are going to know more about technology than us in a couple weeks. Watch out, Mr. Sheil.
What to Say…
When your online learning needed a little more direction….
Make it more… targeted. Starting this week, Wednesdays will be dedicated to extra help, competency recovery, and one-on-one learning, according to an email from Mr. Jozokos. Mondays and Thursdays will follow a Silver Day schedule, and Tuesdays and Fridays will follow a Red Day schedule. Wednesdays will be a Targeting Learning day, which basically means that students and teachers can work a little bit more flexibly, with competency instruction for those who need it, work time away from screens for students, time for AP and IB students to meet their deadlines, teacher collaboration, and student feedback. Needless to say, we’re not mad about it.
Things to Know…
Fear not, spring breakers!
Despite rumors, April break has not been cancelled and will happen as planned. Get ready for the staycation of your dreams.
What we’ve all been waiting for…
Decisions about prom will be made on May 4th, when we (presumably) get back to school. But Mr. Fournier says not to get our hopes up about school, so don’t hold your breath.