MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Remote learning is going to the option in Monongalia County schools through most of January.
School Superintendent Dr. Eddie Campbell announced last week an extension of remote learning until at least Jan. 20, the end of the first semester, after a continued rise of COVID-19 cases in Monongalia County along with what could be another surge after the upcoming holiday break.
“If you start counting out the 10 to 14 days after New Year’s Day it puts us right at the close of our first semester,” Campbell said.
Remote learning has its challenges especially with elementary-age students. Monongalia County Schools Director of Federal Programs and Elementary Curriculum Norma Gaines said young learners have more trouble screening distractions while learning from home. In many cases, the situation is compounded in families that have more than one student.
“To a certain extent you have to be even more engaging than you would be in-person with children to keep their attention,” Gaines said. “The younger the children are, the more difficult it is to deliver instruction online.”
Students in Monongalia County are equipped with Chromebooks that facilitate lesson delivery and is a very important part of making remote learning work for families, according to Gaines.
“The Chromebooks have made our situation easier than other districts have had during the pandemic. Just having the children with those devices is a step to making this successful,” she said.
At the same time, educators have to take extra time with younger students to learn the hardware before they can tackle online lessons.
“So, it takes an incredible amount of patience and explaining to help kids to get proficient with how to use the tools so the learning can take place,” Gaines said.
Despite remote learning, Gaines said they have been planning some in-person events to keep the fabric of the school community intact. Recently parents were invited to Mylan Park for an event called Light up the Park. The event provided an opportunity for parents and students to see each other face-to-face and interact at a safe distance.
“Drive around the building, get a book from your teacher or from one of the teachers and see everyone’s art work lit up at Mylan Park,” Gaines said. “It’s just a way to keep parents and students connected to the school.”
Gaines advises families to use the extended time together to recharge and prepare for the final stretch of remote learning for rest of the semester. She said puzzles, board games and cooking together are some of her suggestions.
“Get outside and take a walk, walk through the snow if it snows, go sledding if it snows. It’s really good to be physically active, particularly in the winter- get outside when you can get outside,” she said.