COVID-19 protocols are part of regimen
As Anne Arundel schools reopen in person, students and staff adapt to changes
Principal Kellie Schell-Ramey attended Van Bokkelen Elementary as a child, worked there while student teaching and as a teacher. And this school year, she’s back to serve as the school’s principal.
“This is an important place to be. I love it here and I’m excited to be back,” she said Wednesday, the first day of school in Anne Arundel County.
Schell-Ramey gave Superintendent George Arlotto and Board Member Robert Silkworth a tour of the school on the first day of class at the Severn school.
Students and teachers told each other about their pets, hobbies and interests, getting to know each other.
All students and staff need to wear face masks indoors to prevent the spread of COVID, a decision made by Arlotto in consultation with the county health department and in line with CDC recommendations.
As students are learning classroom rules, the list now includes how to ask for a break from your mask.
Fifth grade teacher Sherry Hicks Jobnson’s class eats lunch at 1:20 p.m., five hours after school begins.
Hicks Johnson told her students she understands that’s a long time to go with a mask on your face, so students can raise their hand and take a 60-second mask break in a corner separated from other students.
“Miss Johnson Hicks realizes that that’s hard for us. It’s hard for me guys. I’m human,” she said.
In another classroom Schell-Ramey told a student to put their mask back on, and reminded them to wear it over their nose and mouth, except for when they’re eating.
One teacher told her students not to share lunch, even if the other person has something yummy.
Schell-Ramey said there were some opening day jitters at arrival, but they subsided. She said she has been thinking about how to set the kids up to succeed after a year and a half away from physical classrooms.
“Sometimes they needed a little bit of a hand to hold, but they did amazing,” she said.
With every student having at least one device due to virtual learning, the computer lab at Van Bokkelen Elementary School is no longer needed.
Instead, the room will be used to provide structured reading and math help to students in a place that is private but also close to other classrooms. Schell-Ramey said they will stock the intervention space with learning materials, making it the best it can be for educators.
“What we’re trying to do is just make sure that when you’re in that room, and you’re supporting kids and you’re making a difference, everything you need is in that room with you, so that your job is efficient,” she said.