This question of what school will look like in the fall has been on the minds of students, families, school officials, and community stakeholders for several months now. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released recommendations to implement in a school setting. Recommendations such as no communal use shared spaces such as cafeterias and playgrounds with shared playground equipment if possible: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html. Included in the discussion is when will school starts.
There is concern that there will be a resurgence of COVID-19 cases as we enter late fall and winter. Schools are considering opening early in July, late August, or after Labor Day in September in preparation of school being out again due to COVID related illness. Schools must also consider social distancing mandates as well as everyone utilizing personal protection equipment. To put it plainly, we are unsure of what school will look like in the fall. What I can address is what I learned from the COVID-19 outbreak. Those lessons served as confirmation that school will have to change with the times.
My particular school was established to be a blended instruction environment. We were accustomed to having students use computers at home or anywhere they had internet access. We used our school time to provide remediation, direct instruction, intervention, community outreach, and job training. When the pandemic sent everyone home to work remotely, we continued as usual. What was pleasantly surprising was students would logon at various hours of the day or night. They would email or direct message teachers at 2:00 A.M. and beyond. I can say several staff members reported being up late or early as it may be, teaching and instructing. It was not mandated that they work those hours but teachers were willing to meet students where they were to help them reach their goals.
We are a self-paced program; however, we have guidelines that detail the minimum required courses to be completed each month. We have found that it takes 30 days after enrollment for students to become acclimated to our school environment. As an incentive to encourage students to complete course work, we give them goals or targets. As students earn course credit, they become eligible to apply to be an Ambassador or a Graduate Candidate (GC). Ambassadors and GC’s are not required to attend school every day of the 4 day school week. It is mandatory that Ambassadors attend school two days per week. GC’s are required to check in one day per week.
I also anticipate that we will incorporate virtual learning sessions into our weekly schedule. Our students are encouraged to work part-time as many of them already work while attending school. I predict that we will fully implement our nontraditional school attendance policy and adopt that as a regular part of our programming going forward. I also anticipate that we will incorporate virtual learning sessions into our weekly schedule.
What will school transportation schedules look like? Will districts purchase more buses? How will social distancing be practiced on school buses? So many questions. I am already anticipating an increase in cleaning/sanitizing schedules.
I don’t know for sure what school will look like but I know there are permanent changes to the old way of doing things.
Bio
I am a professional educator with experience in Special Education, Central Office Administration, Building Level Administration, and teaching on the collegiate level. I have significant experience in the areas of effective student counseling, group facilitation, program coordinator, and grant budget management. I have proven leadership and exceptional supervisory skills in both local and international community outreach, profound teaching and program evaluation skills. In addition, I have a proven track record in efforts to establish professional standards in teacher education. I am trained to deliver programs and system wide processes necessary for success. I consistently produce results that meet or exceed student, parent, and employer expectations.
There is concern that there will be a resurgence of COVID-19 cases as we enter late fall and winter. Schools are considering opening early in July, late August, or after Labor Day in September in preparation of school being out again due to COVID related illness. Schools must also consider social distancing mandates as well as everyone utilizing personal protection equipment. To put it plainly, we are unsure of what school will look like in the fall. What I can address is what I learned from the COVID-19 outbreak. Those lessons served as confirmation that school will have to change with the times.
My particular school was established to be a blended instruction environment. We were accustomed to having students use computers at home or anywhere they had internet access. We used our school time to provide remediation, direct instruction, intervention, community outreach, and job training. When the pandemic sent everyone home to work remotely, we continued as usual. What was pleasantly surprising was students would logon at various hours of the day or night. They would email or direct message teachers at 2:00 A.M. and beyond. I can say several staff members reported being up late or early as it may be, teaching and instructing. It was not mandated that they work those hours but teachers were willing to meet students where they were to help them reach their goals.
We are a self-paced program; however, we have guidelines that detail the minimum required courses to be completed each month. We have found that it takes 30 days after enrollment for students to become acclimated to our school environment. As an incentive to encourage students to complete course work, we give them goals or targets. As students earn course credit, they become eligible to apply to be an Ambassador or a Graduate Candidate (GC). Ambassadors and GC’s are not required to attend school every day of the 4 day school week. It is mandatory that Ambassadors attend school two days per week. GC’s are required to check in one day per week.
I also anticipate that we will incorporate virtual learning sessions into our weekly schedule. Our students are encouraged to work part-time as many of them already work while attending school. I predict that we will fully implement our nontraditional school attendance policy and adopt that as a regular part of our programming going forward. I also anticipate that we will incorporate virtual learning sessions into our weekly schedule.
What will school transportation schedules look like? Will districts purchase more buses? How will social distancing be practiced on school buses? So many questions. I am already anticipating an increase in cleaning/sanitizing schedules.
I don’t know for sure what school will look like but I know there are permanent changes to the old way of doing things.
Bio
I am a professional educator with experience in Special Education, Central Office Administration, Building Level Administration, and teaching on the collegiate level. I have significant experience in the areas of effective student counseling, group facilitation, program coordinator, and grant budget management. I have proven leadership and exceptional supervisory skills in both local and international community outreach, profound teaching and program evaluation skills. In addition, I have a proven track record in efforts to establish professional standards in teacher education. I am trained to deliver programs and system wide processes necessary for success. I consistently produce results that meet or exceed student, parent, and employer expectations.