Jeffco students push back against plan to restore 100% in-person learning at middle, high schools – Aurora, Colorado
Aurora, Colorado 2021-02-23 08:00:49 –
Jeffco Public School is considering the possibility of resuming full-time face-to-face learning for middle and high school students before the end of the spring semester. But many students don’t think it’s a good idea.
Approximately 1,500 students, parents and teachers filed a petition with the district school board on Monday, advocating waiting until August to start a 100% face-to-face model at the secondary level. The school board will discuss this issue at a special meeting on Tuesday at 1:00 pm.
Currently, grades 6-12 in Colorado’s second-largest school district participate in a hybrid schedule of students attending face-to-face classes two days a week. On Friday, all students will complete their work remotely.
Lakewood High School junior Morgan Fritzlar has begun petitioning with fellow students Spencer Wilcox and Campbell Preston, worried about what it would be like to resume full-time face-to-face instruction. ..
Currently, about 15 people are attending each Fritzlar class. She said there wouldn’t be enough room for social distance if the class returned to full size.
“Because there are so many people in school, it is more likely to occur and can return to 100% remote (learning), which reduces the overall quality of education and the mental health of the students. Is shown, “she says. ..
Fritzlar feels she’s finally used to the hybrid learning routine. She said it would be “very difficult for a child” to confuse the routine.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Jeffco Public School’s goal has always been to restore face-to-face learning, spokesman Cameron Bell said in a statement. After almost all students started the spring semester in remote areas, the school district gradually began to bring back children directly by grade. According to Bell, preschool to fifth grade students are currently in direct contact four days a week.
Jeffco’s middle and high schools began to welcome students part-time in late January. Part of the reason the district wants to enhance face-to-face learning is that its teachers now have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I understand that there are people in our community who do not believe that we should return to 100% face-to-face learning. We understand that not everyone agrees with the decisions made. I’m doing it, “Bell said. “But we know that face-to-face learning is best for kids. For those who don’t want to participate in face-to-face learning, we continue to offer remote-only options.”
It’s not just Jeffco Public School. Aurora Public School also plans to offer more face-to-face learning by March, said superintendent Rico Mann. Currently, preschool to fifth grade students study face-to-face four days a week. After spring break, he expects 6th to 8th grades to do the same.
“In high school, so far we plan to have all our kids every day, but the schedule is split, half in the morning and half in the afternoon,” says Mann. “We will continue to evaluate the community and, if there is more we can do, based on that.”
Jeffco students push back against plan to restore 100% in-person learning at middle, high schools Source link Jeffco students push back against plan to restore 100% in-person learning at middle, high schools
