By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
After all school buildings in Kansas were closed unexpectedly in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, many parents and teachers had questions about how the year would proceed.
While plans continue to be finalized for USD 489 elementary schools, Lincoln Elementary principal Kerri Lacy said the most important thing right now is to understand that everyone is working to make sure the student's educational experience will be the best it can be under the circumstances and parents should not feel pressured to launch into learning programs with their children.
"It is uncharted waters for sure," Lacy said. "Our staff, our teachers, as well as our parents and aides are working really hard to find out what is best for your student as far as keeping their educational experiences going through all of this."
This week was spring break on the school calendar, and she said the teachers were asked to take it, but will be in full swing Monday to begin working with students and parents to make sure families are feeling supported and getting what they need.
"If you haven't heard from your student's teacher, don't worry. You will in the very near future," Lacy said.
While Hays High has already released a learning plan for the rest of the year, Lacy said for elementary schools each teacher will coordinate the individual student learning but some elements will go across the classes.
In the elementary schools, Seesaw — a tool already used by many teachers — will continue to be utilized for home-based learning.
"We don't know exactly what that will look like, it may be different for every classroom," Lacy said.
The online group video chat platform Zoom will be used by the students and parents.
"Zoom has become my best friend in the last couple of weeks," Lacy said.
Zoom will help bridge the imposed physical distance for students, she said, and can be used for learning and for social activities, like group homework sessions or even just to have social interactions.
"It's a fun way to move through this process," Lacy said.
The imposed distancing is not just difficult on the students, she said. Teachers are also feeling the stress caused by being pulled away from their students so suddenly.
"I don't know if parents and families really understand the impact this is having on our teachers and our staff," Lacy said. "We need people in our lives, we need our little ones. We thrive on those hugs, we thrive on those smiles and, right now, we are all feeling a little bit lonely."
Meanwhile, Lacy said while the rest of the year will be significantly different than ever before, parents should not feel pressured to spend their days teaching their children.
"Don't worry," she said. "USD 489 is working hard to make it an easy transition."
She also recommends not getting overwhelmed by online services promoting teaching tools.
"Don't worry about that. You don't have to click on those. You don't have to make sure that your children are spending that screen time right now," she said. "Your student's teachers are going to give you everything you need."
This is a good time for parents to get creative with their children and look around for educational opportunities that present themselves all around.
"Educational opportunities look different, and they are going to look different," Lacy said.
She suggested getting outside and talking about things outside can be wrapped into learning, noting parents should not push their children into a full day in front of a computer working on learning.
"Think about your child's day at school. They are not sitting at a desk for eight hours," Lacy said, adding students participate daily in music, art, library, recess and play-based learning.
Lacy said overall, if elementary students work on reading and math facts, they should stay on track for next year.