Marylou Nagel | Writer
The alternative learning programs at West Central and Tri-Valley have almost reached the finish line for the 2019-2020 school year. Staff, students and parents have worked closely together to ensure that learning has continued despite being socially isolated from class time in the school buildings. True to form, West Central and Tri-Valley staff are going above and beyond to care for students and their families.
West Central Hartford Elementary principal, Ashley Bahrenfuss and Tri-Valley Elementary principal, Nancy Johnson are extremely proud with how quickly and diligently staff has worked to get lessons together for students to continue at home.
“Our staff are working hard to make sure that students are getting everything they need to be successful,” said Bahrenfuss. “Obviously, this isn’t at all how we like to conduct our education. We want nothing more than to have our students in our classrooms teaching them face to face on a daily basis!”
Staff at the schools are also making sure that families have the best tools of support for learning.
“Teachers are working hard to stay in touch with their students either via Zoom meetings, emails to parents, or phone calls home,” explained Johnson. “Our elementary counselor is doing her part in family contact as well. Being in this together is not just a saying. We truly need everyone to be sure our students’ needs are met. We are missing them like crazy!”
With everyone having to make such drastic adjustments in a very short period of time, teachers have made the best of their time apart by scheduling regular Zoom calls to check in with students. This gives the kids a sense of normalcy and a chance to see the familiar faces that they are missing. Parents at both school districts are appreciative of the outstanding support offered from the staff.
Learning from home has presented opportunities that the students wouldn’t normally get in a school setting. Family activities are easily incorporated into the day.
“There is so much learning that students can take in with day to day tasks that aren’t related to the week’s lesson plans,” said Bahrenfuss.
Students and families have taken nature walks, cooked meals together, played games and started new hobbies.
As social distancing continues for the time being, summer school at West Central has been canceled for 2020.
“This was a hard decision to make, as we want to ensure we are providing every opportunity for students to be successful in their education,” Bahrenfuss explained. “However, with the uncertainty of what’s to come with COVID-19 and for the safety of our students and staff, we have made the decision to cancel our Summer Tutoring program, as well as KinderCamp for the summer of 2020.”
As always and especially now, the safety of students and staff are at the forefront of any decisions made. Both principals stress that the most important thing a parent can do is just to be there for their children.
“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of ensuring wellness of the whole child through this process, meaning academic wellness, social/emotional wellness and physical wellness,” Bahrenfuss said. “We’ll figure out the academics when this all returns to ‘normal,’” added Johnson. “Take care of yourselves and your families!”
The last day of school at West Central Elementary is Tuesday, May 19 and the last day for Tri-Valley Elementary is Monday, May 18.