Extended open houses worked almost too well, students wait listed for Virtual Academy

Changing course seems to be a common theme for the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Gainesville City School System is doing their best to prepare for any change that might be thrown at them.
 
The district had the first day of school Monday remotely, with Superintendent Jeremy Williams telling Bill Maine on Mornings on Maine Street that they felt it was key to establish a comfortable remote setting in case classes had to be thrust in another direction at any moment.
 
"All of our efforts during pre-planning, which finished last Friday, was about preparing those lessons and schedules and making sure we were ready," said Williams.
 
With "new normals" like masks and social distancing, Williams said they completely restructured the open house process, which may have worked a little too well.
 
Instead of a large, packed gathering in a three-hour window, Williams said they took an entire week to meet with students and families.
 
"At all of our schools, we got about 90% of our families in from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. over the course of last week and teachers were able to spend 20 to 30 minutes with each family," Williams said. It allowed them the time to ensure students at home had the books, packets, technology, internet and internet access devices, where and how to access online materials, but it also allowed teachers to create a bond with families the pandemic would make more challenging or hinder in some way. "There was a lot of great feedback on that as well, because parents just loved that positive contact, building that relationship right off the bat."
 
A relationship between a student and teacher is especially important during a situation like the pandemic, Williams said, because students, typically younger ones, will need to have that strong connection so any learning gaps or developing issues can be identified when kids return to school.
 
Williams, who has two children of his own in the Gainesville system, said he understands that kids learning from home can complicate things, and parents may not always be able to identify something like a learning gap, especially when some families are still working.
 
"We have also instituted, at least one night a week, our teachers have office hours in the evening, to be available to meet with families, answer questions directly throughout the week, and they also have office hours on Friday as well," he said. "So our main instruction is really Monday through Thursday, two to three times a day, depending on the student and school, one evening a week and then on Fridays the teachers are available to help families with their expectations."
 
The remote learning method can be pretty appealing, particularly if a student doesn't enjoy the traditional school day, is heavily involved in an outside activity or would just rather not take the health risk. Of the 8,000 total students in the Gainesville City School District, Williams said 1,400 signed up for exclusively remote learning for the fall 2020 semester.
 
https://www.gcssk12.net/return_to_school/gva
 
The deadline to sign up for the district's Virtual Academy was extended from July 15 to July 31, however, there were still stragglers.
 
"Some students are being wait listed right now as we look at solutions to better serve our families," Williams said. "This gives you an idea of the work done in the last six weeks. It typically takes... about a year and a half or longer to get a virtual school up and running."
 
Williams said there are a few kinks to work out, as expected, but overall they were pleased with how quickly the academy came together, and the patience and "graciousness of our families, knowing that we'll get there."
 
About 16 teachers from the elementary level shifted into the virtual environment, and Williams said more changes may come down the road as they adjust the Virtual Academy.
 
 
https://gcssk12.net/return_to_school