Youngest Learners Headed Back Into Classrooms, Again
Some K-8 students, who resumed online instruction after a brief November onsite or hybrid interval, will make a second return tomorrow
Lailah Walker, a second grader at Lomond Elementary School, participates in remote learning.
Following months of online learning and a short return to onsite learning during the fall, some K-8 parents look forward to their children’s return to classrooms Jan. 19.
Onaway Elementary School Principal Eric Forman said that significant collaboration goes into remote learning plans among elementary teachers across the district. The district first phased in hybrid and onsite learning for students 5 – 8 and K-4, respectively, beginning Nov. 5. However, in accordance with the stay-at-home advisory issued by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health Nov. 18, all students returned to remote learning after the Thanksgiving Break. The district planned to return to hybrid and onsite learning for all students Jan. 4, but postponed these plans Dec. 18 when the CCBH extended the advisory until Jan. 15.
Over the summer, each school held pickup events for families to collect supplies, library books and other materials that students would need for online learning. Families could also request supplies be delivered.
While the district provided students with school materials, parents were tasked with keeping their child on track with their schoolwork.
Linda and Lewis Burell, parents of three daughters in second, sixth and eighth grade, work from home and check on their children throughout the school day.
Linda Burrell said that her younger daughters need more attention. “The older one is self-sufficient, but with the other two it’s a little more hands on,” she said.
“They do sometimes get distracted,” Lewis Burrell said. “It’s hard to look at them being stuck on the computer all day.”
Lailah Walker, a second grader at Lomond Elementary School, said she has trouble focusing during online learning. “I get distracted because I hear noise in the morning, but I try to pay attention to the teacher,” Walker said. She said online learning is not difficult for her overall because she knows how to use the resources that her teacher uses.
“I enjoy online school,” she said.
However, Walker said she looks forward to going back to Lomond. She said, “I want to get to know my teacher better.”
