When it comes to crisis and disaster response, school administrators are well-trained.
Even so, their crisis/disaster response skills were pushed to the limit last year as Ohio schools made a hard pivot to remote learning due to the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. Over the last 12 months, school districts have seen beloved traditions upended. However, with the support of engaged families and community members, they’ve continued to devise ways to keep students engaged in meaningful learning while keeping virus spread in check.
The past year has been much like the often-used analogy of flying an airplane while building it, New Richmond Exempted Village School District Superintendent Tracey Miller said. Around every corner, there’s a new and unexpected challenge. The trick is trying to stay one step ahead.
From the start of the pandemic, Mr. Miller has worked to stay informed on what’s happening locally and at the state level. He challenges the teachers and staff to be innovative and take chances as the district remains focused on the academic and physical health of its students, teachers/staff, and guests.
Planning for the 2020-2021 school year was a community effort with Mr. Miller forming a Fall Planning Committee which included representation from community members and district staff. Together they agreed, NREVSD should provide in-person learning for as long as possible. Additionally, the committee members felt students should also have the choice of an online learning option.
With mask and social distancing protocols in place and an inventory of cleaning supplies and hand sanitizers available, New Richmond Schools students have received in-person learning for the vast majority of the 2020-2021 school year.
The Fall Planning Committee also wanted after-school activities to continue. The goal was to make every effort to make the 2020-2021 school year look and feel typical.
For after-school activities, maintaining some sense of normalcy has been a stretch exercise, especially for athletes and performing art students.
Among the more obvious changes, the ongoing limited event access for fans/audiences. Then there is the task of enforcing health and safety protocols.
“Please keep your mask on” is a phrase Athletic Director Doug Foote and coaches continue to ask sporting event spectators.
The role of mask monitor is not one Mr. Foote, coaches, or other district administrators enjoy. In this year of a pandemic, however, it is a necessity. State rules must be followed, Mr. Foote said. If a school district doesn’t, in good faith, implement the rules/guidelines that include the wearing of masks then their students may miss out on the opportunity to participate in their favorite activity.
When the pandemic hit last winter, Mr. Foote watched helplessly as the end of the winter sports season was interrupted. Spring athletes never suited up. It was a lost season. An AD for 13 years, it’s an experience Mr. Foote doesn’t want to relive.
“The stakes are too high to risk,” he said.
School music programs face similar challenges. Last school year, spring and end-of-school-year concerts and competitions were placed on hold. This year, things are different but the shows go on.
Choir programs moved concerts outdoors to the stadium and recorded music indoors while masked and socially distanced. When weather permitted, band programs practiced outdoors. Activities continued with appropriate coronavirus protocols in place.
Mr. Miller is complimentary of the flexibility and efforts on the part of district teachers and staff, families, and students.
“This has been the most unique and challenging time of my 35 years as an educator. There was no training for the drills we’ve lived in real-time in our schools late last school year and this year. And unique challenges continue to present themselves.
“Despite it all, we are finding ways to make it work,” Miller said. “Learning is happening and after-school activities continue. Is it perfect? Probably not. But everyone is doing the best they can under the circumstances.
“There were many lessons and takeaways from the 2019-2020 school year. Thanks to those lessons, we returned stronger and better prepared for the 2020-2021 school year.
“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the pandemic-related closure of schools, we move ahead eyes wide open to the new skills gained by staff, the resiliency of our students and families, and our abilities to deliver quality educational opportunities even under pressure from significant challenges.