|
 |
St. Mary’s School
Not as much fun without the students
By Kathy Ayette
It has been quite some time since I have written a column.
I am still teaching a combined first and second grade class, but has it
ever changed. Let’s take a trip back in time to March of
2020. (Yeah, I know. I really don’t want to repeat any of
2020, either.) I remember my principal saying on Wednesday that he
heard the governor might close the schools. The following day it
was officially announced that at the end of the school day, Monday,
March 16, schools in Ohio would be closed. The staff met with our
tech guru and resident saint, Rich Hadden, and discussed our technical
options. On Monday we loaded up our students with supplies and
sent them off. I was extremely naïve and thought we’d be back in
school in two or three, tops. Each teacher worked out her
educational plan. Some teachers opted for Zoom meetings or Face
time with their students. Others posted assignments on Google
Classroom and had their students do the lessons electronically. I
opted to record videos for the classes I taught. After the
children left on Monday I worked until 11:00 pm attempting to record
classes. Note the term “attempting”. It took me longer to
record the classes than it would have to visit each student separately
for individual instruction! (OK, I’m exaggerating a wee bit… but not
much!) I would have felt really sorry for myself, except Rich
stayed until 1:00 am trying to get everyone’s classes posted. Did
I mention that he’s a volunteer and really should be canonized now and
not wait until he’s passed away?
As the months progressed, I discovered that teaching isn’t nearly as
much fun without the students. Although discipline problems were
at an all time low. There were some humorous moments. When
recording a class, I would act as if the students were present, making
sure to mention everyone’s name at least once. I was drilling
flashcards and had a student who had always participated
enthusiastically in class, so I was sure he was calling out the answers
at home. I said, “Good job!” and called the student by
name. Later his mother informed me that when he was working with
the video and I called him by name, his eyes grew large and he asked
his mother if I could really see and hear him. Bless her
heart she went along with it and said, “I guess so.” I was also
relieved that the parents realized I was acting as if my students were
present to keep their interest and not just hallucinating.
We started back to school in person on September 8, which is the
birthday of the Blessed Mother, and since we are St. Mary’s School, it
seemed like an auspicious date on which to begin the year.
Our highest priority is the safety and health of our students. To
that end there have been quite a few changes around the school and in
the classrooms.
If I knew a year ago what I know now, I would have liquidated all my
stocks and bought into Plexiglass. I have never seen so much
plexiglass in my life. It is everywhere in the school. We
have plexiglass dividers in the cafeteria to ensure the safety of the
students as they eat. The tables and chairs are cleaned between
the two lunch groups. As much as possible siblings are seated
together at lunch. Most of the students do not share
lockers. Only siblings share lockers. In some classes the
desks are separated by, you guessed it, plexiglass dividers. Some
of the teachers opted for plexiglass shields at their desks. I
did not. I just got rid of my desk. Because of my class
size, by removing my desk and a computer table, we were able to space
the desks far enough apart to accommodate my seventeen students.
I have three tables at the front of my room where students sit for
instruction. These tables have plexiglass partitions, so each student
has his own space. All students and staff members wear masks or
shields to protect one another. I use alcohol wipes to
clean off markers, pens, etc. before allowing the students to use
them. The way we are going through hand sanitizer in my room,
you’d think it was our beverage of choice!
We have a new online option for students who may need to be in
quarantine. As I speak, Rich is installing cameras in the
classrooms that will allow students to access their classes in real
time. My favorite part of this technology is that I don’t have to
do anything except teach. Now that’s technology I can live with.
I have mentioned Rich Hadden several times. I want to give him
one more shout out. He has gone above and beyond generous with
his time and talent. In most schools what he does is a paid
position. Rich is strictly a volunteer and except for our undying
gratitude receives no payment. I would also like to thank our
maintenance and custodial staff, Mark Lewis and Clint Wright.
They worked all summer constructing all the dividers that we requested
and keeping the school sanitary.
Let’s all pray that a cure or vaccine will be discovered soon. Stay safe.
|
|
|
|
