Caroline and Kim

So where are we at in the middle of September?  Where are you at in the middle of September? I venture that we are questioning certain aspects of our school day and feeling good about other parts. 

One of the biggest concerns for me is the gnawing concern about our youngest students.  Primary grade kids are participating well but will they learn to read etc through zoom lessons?  

One thing I'm feeling good about is the presence of students. I love seeing the few kids who are in the building. How did it happen that these few kids were brought into school?  It happened because their educators insisted on it. 

Caroline along with Kim made it happen for the kids in their structured classroom.  They knew their kids would be frozen, even regress, without spending in person learning time with them.  So, Caroline sent out a survey to her parents before school even started asking for their comfort level with having their kids in the building. Next, Caroline developed a plan addressing the physical layout of her room - especially focusing on the safety of her students. Additionally, she advocated for her students with administration realizing she needed support to pull it off.  She solidified her plan and presented it to parents. And, this week her kids are in the building!  Each of her kids spend daily quality time with Caroline and Kim.  Her kids are socially distant, wearing masks, washing their hands frequently and so on.  Educators like Caroline and Kim are finding answers to monumental questions during this Covid time. 

Do we need to come up with a “Caroline” hybrid - at least for the most struggling primary students? That question is huge and maybe unfair to even pose.  However, it’s my job to search the learning horizon – in order to steer the Irving ship through these turbulent times.  This question and more are rattling around in my brain. I believe that we will live and plan our way into some sane answers. And, as always we will do it together.    









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