As the second week of remote learning comes to a close for Flossmoor School District 161, providing students with the tools they need to work from home has been a priority.
The district’s remote learning plan went into effect March 16 and has been extended through April 30 in alignment with Governor J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order.
A remote learning day includes five hours of instructional time-on-task, according to the district’s plan. During this time, students are to complete various activities on and off-line.
These activities include reading, using online tools, researching, completing practice assignments and watching educational videos.
On remote learning days, teachers communicate with their students via Canvas, Google Classroom and e-mail.
Superintendent Dana Smith said the district is dedicated to accommodating the needs of every student.
“One of our true challenges is trying to make sure we don’t forget anyone or anything,” Smith said. “We have families who need support, who need resources and we have to find ways to provide those because that is our mission. That is why we are here.”
Despite the challenges posed by this unprecedented time, Smith said the district has done well responding to the shift to remote learning.
“I think we’ve had a good experience so far because our board of education has been really proactive in getting devices to all of our kids, so we have plenty of technology,” Smith said. “They’ve also responded by supporting our recommendations for a full learning management system which you really don’t see in elementary districts.”
Students in grades 3 to 8 are allowed to use their District 161-issued Chromebooks or any other device to complete online activities.
The district has been trying to find the best and safest way to distribute devices to students in grades K-2, Smith said. However, students can also receive their assignments in the mail, if needed.
Though the circumstances aren’t ideal, Smith said the district is doing what it can to make the remote learning experience meaningful.
“Nothing that we will ever do will replace our high quality teachers being in front of a classroom, but if we are under stay-at-home order, then I feel like we are in a good position with our devices, with our software, to continue educating our students,” Smith said.