School will be back in session in Alabama on Monday, but don't expect to see students in the classrooms.
School will be back in session in alabama on monday, but don't expect to see students in the classrooms. governor kay ivy issued an order closing all public and private school buildings, leaving school districts to come up with alternative methods for finishing the year.
Quentin smith speaks with school leaders in lamar county and tells us what's next for their students.
This is how teachers and students in the lamar county school district are accustomed to having class... the teacher is at the front of the room... presenting their daily lesson plan.
But covid-19 is changing that.
South lamar high school principal lisa wright says they've had to come up with alternative measures to finish out the school year... "our plan that we have in place is to do some online classes for those who have the internet capabilities.
Our other students who do not have internet capabilities will do what we call correspondents courses where they will pick up packets from the school on monday to complete.
This is just to make sure there's not a slide in proficiency to what the student have already learned."
School leaders say they're relying on the parents during this time to help ensure the students are staying on top of their work... "we're not saying that they need to do five hours a day, but if you'll just touch on it a little bit during the day, it'll help prevent that slide of proficiency that we are trying to prevent from happening since the students will be out for so long."
All of the work will be turned in by may 6th, but not all of the material will be graded.
Seniors who are on track to graduate won't have to complete any of the work.
However, for those who may be struggling in their classes, there's still time to make improvements.
"those students who, at the end of the third nine weeks had a failing grade, are being given opportunities to bring that grade up."
Wright says teachers will communicate with students regularly either by email or phone.
Though this was a quick transition... district leaders believe this is the best plan to help keep students on the right track... "our kids are not going to miss a beat in their academic career from this.
We have next year to look at what standards may need to be hit on a reviewed, and so we'll take it from there."
Reporting in lamar county, alabama.
Quentin smith, wcbi news.
Packets go out monday april 6th from 8 am to 2 pm.
The district will send a message to all parents letting them know where they can be picked up..
Anyone who is unable to pick up the packets during those times, should contact their child's school.
This kid sat in front of a laptop, engrossed in listening to his teacher, who was giving an online class. As schools stayed shut..
