Dr. Jorgensen's October Highland Highlights
September 21, 2020
Highland Highlights
Schools across the country faced three types of Return to Learn scenarios as school resumed this last fall. 1. Totally on-line; 2. 100% Face-to-Face or 3. A Hybrid model of learning. All schools in Iowa finished the 2019-2020 school year will the on-line option over the last 5 months of instruction due to the Coronavirus. For most parents with the exception of some Home Schooled households, it was their first experience with this model. The advantages of on-line models are the flexibility in when learning occurs and it was by far the safest model in terms of social distancing. It is the most difficult model for younger students and deprives students of the important social interactions with their peers. I think most people would agree that this model requires students to be focused and is the most difficult in getting assistance for students who struggle. The Governor of Iowa removed this option for school districts in the Return to Learn for 2020-2021.
The Face to Face model is like having school back to usual. Classrooms remain full and there is limited social distancing available. There is no question in my mind that the strengths of Face to Face is that it is the most effective model of learning for the lower elementary students and for students with special needs. Students also gain valuable socialization skills as they learn how to interact with their peers. The concerns with this model during a pandemic is that there is a high probability for the spread of the virus, not only to other students, but to staff due to the limited social distance. The majority of districts in Iowa have opted for this model and there have been several cases of positive cases and quarantined students in the first few weeks of school including districts close to the Highland CSD.
A Hybrid model splits students into two groups on an every other day or half day sessions. The Hybrid model is a nice middle ground solution to Return to Learn. Students benefit from direct instruction. Students still have interaction with other students and safety concerns are addressed with more social distancing due to half of the students in place. It may not provide as much direct instruction as Face to Face for primary and special needs students, but it does provide more safety features for staff and students as far as limiting the spread of COVID. While the majority of districts in the state are doing Face-to-Face, there is a significant number doing Hybrid. The Hybrid model is the easiest to transition from to either of the other two models.
I have participated in over 20 hours of administrative meetings being held at the Highland CSD since the first of July. I have to honestly say how impressed I have been with the quality of discussion by the administration as they worked through the difficult decision as to how to proceed with the Return to Learn. I advocated and endorsed the decision for Hybrid Learning as I thought it was the best way to start the year. It is not intended to be a long term solution, but a nice bridge depending on what happens with health concerns for the start of the year. As close as this district is to Johnson County, a hot spot in the United States, it makes sense to be cautious. The Hybrid model will easily transition into Face to Face when the Board of Education feels comfortable with the external conditions. The administrators worked very hard to come up with informed and well researched strategies to make the situation the best for the Highland students. They have provided more ways to provide instruction for these with special needs. I never had a group of administrators work as hard as the Highland administrators did the months of July and August preparing for the start of the year and I salute their efforts in what has been a nice start to an unusual year in uncharted territory. They have been creative in dealing with a difficult situation and are doing a great job of serving our students.
