Closed schools help kids learn online

Dayton-area districts scramble to create at-home lessons during coronavirus shutdown.

Local K-12 schools are scrambling to create a variety of online and at-home learning options for thousands of students, aiming to keep the education process moving even though Ohio school buildings are closed because of coronavirus.

The Dayton and Oakwood school districts quickly put links to English, math and other academic activities on their websites last week. Mad River schools sent paper packets home Monday, focusing on core content areas, with those assignments due April 6. Beavercreek and Lebanon schools will start online lessons through Google Classroom on March 30, after their scheduled spring breaks this coming week.

“Since we do not have 100% of our students with (online) access, we decided to create paper/pencil educational packets to best meet the needs of our community,” Mad River Superintendent Chad Wyen said. “Although our certified staff are working from home, they are available to students through email, Remind, Classdojo, or our Blackboard communication tool.”

Schools are providing students specific subject and grade-level lessons designed by their own teachers, as well as links to broader online enrichment options from outside sources such as museums and libraries.

A single master schedule on Dayton Public Schools’ site lists specific lessons for each day that were videotaped by DPS staff — math and English video lessons for each grade 3-10, read-aloud and phonics lessons for younger students, and reading, science and social studies videos for high schoolers.

“We have basically used every means possible (to communicate this with families) — robocalls, texts, social media, emails, indi

Erin Gross, counselor at Clearcreek Elementary, reads to her students from home via Google Meet.