Sherri Broderius, superintendent at MACCRAY Public Schools, said, “You could say we’re a little bit ahead,” because her district’s e-learning snow days have shown what technology and software works.
“But we’re all on equal footing when it comes to distance learning,” she added.
Sunday, Gov. Tim Walz ordered Minnesota schools to close through March 27 and to use that time for planning. They will resume instruction March 30, whether in-person or using distance learning. It’s an effort to help the state combat the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
In addition, he ordered districts to continue feeding students, to pay hourly employees and to provide child care services for children of medical personnel, first responders and other essential workers.
Planning in hundreds of the state’s public school districts began right after Walz’s unprecedented announcement and continued Monday. Not all details were final Monday, but plans were beginning to take shape.
The logistics of delivering instruction in a new way for many districts was of paramount concern.
There’s a difference between providing a single day of e-instruction and doing full-time distance learning, Broderius said.
Distance education “must be deep and rich,” a sustained program of rigorous instruction that meets state standards, she said.
Willmar Superintendent Jeff Holm said the district may use buses to deliver meals and internet access. He agreed that distance learning is quite different from e-learning.
“We need to figure out how to have daily interaction with a licensed teacher and appropriate instructional materials,” he said.
The district plans to have bus drivers take grab-and-go meals to designated spots in neighborhoods and small towns where students can pick them up, he said. The buses could also play a part in instruction.
There’s a possibility Wi-Fi hotspots could be on the buses, allowing students to download or turn in assignments. Bus drivers could also pick up homework on paper.
More consultation with faculty will have to take place before plans are final, Holm said.
At this point, “there’s lots of details and a lot of uncertainties,” he said.
Superintendents in the area share ideas and advice, he said, and that can be helpful when trying to tackle such a large task.
Holm and Broderius said their staff members have stepped up to participate in the planning. “What can I do to help?” is the question he hears, Holm said.
Broderius said teachers asked for time Monday to go buy supplies to send home with their students so they would have what they needed for upcoming classes.
As a public service, the West Central Tribune has opened this article to everyone regardless of subscription status.
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Area schools plan for distance learning, starting March 30 - West Central Tribune
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