E-learning decision nears
Valparaiso forum gathers voices to determine if Wednesday platform stays
Kim Hommes was one of almost 40 Valparaiso Community Schools educators standing outside the high school and along Campbell Street late Wednesday afternoon to lobby for the continuation of e-learning on Wednesdays.
Holding a sign that said, “Quality education equals quality time,” Hommes, a teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, said the addition of the e-learning day, added in September, has been invaluable.
Teachers are working simultaneously with students in class and those learning remotely, either because they have chosen that option or because they are quarantined for COVID-19.
Having all of her students use elearning one day a week gives Hommes time to meet individually with students via Zoom, upload videos and other material to Canvas, the district’s online platform, and handle other tasks, Hommes said.
“The Wednesdays are invaluable. I haven’t talked to a single colleague who’s said, ‘Oh, it’s not a big deal,’” she said.
Colleague Marci Powell, a fifth grade teacher at Northview Elementary School, held a sign that said, “Time,” and said Wednesdays give teachers time to plan, implement and collaborate to provide “blended synchronous learning.”
“To me, it’s not optional. I was spending easily 20 hours outside of my contract working and with e-learning Wednesdays, that has dramatically decreased,” she said, adding she’s still working up to 10 additional hours each week.
The teachers gathered outside while inside the high school cafeteria, a handful
of administrators prepared for a town hall forum on the Wednesday platform and how it might change for the second semester to better meet the needs of the community. Seating was limited to 25 people and only a few showed up in person.
Superintendent Jim McCall, as well as members of the community, tuned in via Zoom for the forum, which also was broadcast live on YouTube.
McCall, who noted the school year began on Aug. 12 with 24% of the district’s students learning remotely, said Wednesday elearning was instituted through Dec. 9 after school officials heard about inconsistencies and variances in remote learning, the workload a dual platform created for teachers, and the need for more professional development for them.
A school community survey, representing 40% of the students, showed support for the plan, McCall said, adding its benefits also included students having a day to catch up on work and deep cleaning of school facilities with everyone at home.
Since the start of the school year, he said, more than 1,700 students have spent time in quarantine, either because of a positive COVID-19 test or direct exposure.
That figure is higher than the one on the corporation’s dashboard, he added, because it includes students exposed in their households and not only through classrooms and school events. As of Monday, 226 students were actively in quarantine.
The district sought feedback from the community on Wednesday e-learning before the forum, which garnered 260 comments, all but 30 of which “advocated for its continuation,” McCall said, adding many students submitted comments as well.
The content of what McCall called the “constructive” comments varied in their concerns, including child care, particularly for grandparents trying to help elementary school students with the technology; children having difficulty calibrating their time; and too much screen time.
Parents and teachers who addressed the community via Zoom generally supported the Wednesday platform, noting its benefits for both students and teachers.
Parent Kalli Kobler, who has two children at Central Elementary School, including one with special needs, said her children went remote for two weeks after her husband was exposed to COVID-19.
That was “terrible” for her child with special needs but she’s found that with Wednesday e-learning, she can help both of her children as needed.
“I’m for e-learning but not remote, if that makes sense,” she said.
Parent Anna Hearn, who has daughters at Valparaiso High School and Benjamin Franklin Middle School, said her children chose in-person learning, though that atmosphere can be stressful.
“It’s kind of nice to have that day during the week to take a break,” she said of Wednesday e-learning, adding her daughters study for tests and are able to meet with their teachers online. “It’s more one-on-one time and it’s very helpful for them.”
The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 17.