The first day of school went well Monday across Putnam County according to Director Of Schools Corby King.
“I was able to visit several schools, the supervisors were able to visit most schools today,” King said. “The teachers were very positive. The students were very positive. All were following the guidelines and procedures like we had asked them to to follow. Parents were very pleasant. I think everyone was just it was a good, positive start for the day.”
King said despite concerns about the mask mandate, everyone tried to follow the protocols in place.
“The mask has been very controversial in the community, but we didn’t experience that in the schools today,” King said. “The students did really well. The parents, the teachers was what we were asking them to do.”
Kinks still need to be worked out with the virtual learning program on both the parents and teachers’ sides. King said the biggest issue seemed to be connectivity. Issues with the Google Classroom and Zoom software also surfaced.
“That’s still going to take some adjustment time,” King said. “So teachers are using this week to make those connections with parents and those type things out. But the routine is big. Otherwise, you know, it’s just getting students, they’re getting them in class.”
King said several students and parents who had decided to go virtual changed their minds Monday. Some even changed their decision after experiencing the virtual classroom Monday. Parents and students have 15 school days to make a final decision.
Some first day issues have nothing to do with COVID-19. King said transportation always presents challenges during the first week. King said the problems Monday were minimal.
“We had some bus stops that have changed so students that had gone to the wrong bus stop, or, you know, things like that, we had a few of those today,” King said. “We always have those. The Transportation Department will work really hard this week to iron those kinks out. And that usually just takes, you know, three or four days.”
With Monday being the first day back in the classroom for some students since the tornado struck March 3, King said the system has put extra mental health professionals in place to assist students. Teachers are on the lookout for children struggling. King said parents should also keep eyes open.
“Please reach out, you know, talk to your counselors,” King said. “If you see that your child is overwhelmed, struggling, a sense of anxiety, talk to your teachers. They can really help and be a source, that’s a good resource for parents and for students, but especially the school counselors. That’s what they’re trying to do. So if parents notice their children are feeling overwhelmed or overly anxious, just talk to the school and we’ll get support and, you know, to them, to the student.”
King said the challenges are real this year and the most important key is taking things one issue at a time.
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