HCS starts the new school year with a hybrid schedule, an online academy | News alert
By Shelby R. Reyes on	 August 25, 2020 Online academy
Students from Hardin County schools met in the classroom on Monday after leaving since March.
The district has implemented a hybrid schedule where only half of the student body wishing to take in-person classes attend school each day. Students also had the option of participating in the Online Learning Academy, where there were online classes.
Sara Bollinger, a 17-year-old Hardin County school teacher who currently teaches fifth grade writing at GC Burkhead Elementary School, said the day was one of the most enjoyable first days of her life. career.
"I was a little hesitant at first," Bollinger said. "Not because I felt like we hadn't prepared, but just because of all the extra things I had to remember."
She said the day started with greetings, temperature checks, breakfast, hand washing and introductions. On Monday, Bollinger said she had nine students in the class.
To help reduce travel between classrooms, she said teachers have recorded lessons and videos and scheduled Google meetings to help teach students certain subjects outside of the head teacher's expertise.
April Bowman, a health sciences teacher at Early College and Career Center, said the day began with setting up Google Classroom, answering questions, showing programs and discussing COVID-19 protocols.
"I think it went really well. We were very well prepared, "Bowman said.
Bowman said she had a total of around 26 to 27 students, with no more than 10 in a classroom.
She said the students seemed happy to be back and were attentive, asking questions and following directions.
"They just seemed happy to have some normalcy," Bowman said.
Overall, Bollinger said she was impressed with the students' behavior in terms of meeting COVID-19 guidelines. She also said the students had smiles on their faces and seemed excited to be going back to school to see their friends and teachers.
Bollinger said when the school closed in March it was difficult and teachers wanted to resume classroom teaching.
"I didn't see hesitant children come in. I mean they were excited to be back, "Bollinger said.
Jessica Johnston, a second-grade teacher who teaches exclusively at OLA, said she has communicated with families more in the past five days than likely in a normal school year.
"I always want to keep this line of communication wide open with parents because they are essential for this to work," said Johnston.
She said she is currently working with over 30 students. The day started with a live Google Meet at 8 a.m. for presentations and expectations. During the day, she said they took breaks, including one where the students could talk to and reconnect.
Johnston said there had been some frustration from parents and guardians about the technology and its use for their students, and said the class would spend a lot of time making it work for everyone. world.
"I'm really looking forward to having more interaction with the students, watching them and guiding them to become more independent," said Johnston.