Remote learning offered for local students
By Lynsi Musselman
The era of COVID-19 has brought schools, students, and parents many challenges, but it has also cleared the path for new ways of learning that are a solution for some.
Albany Independent School District currently has 16 students participating in the remote learning option the first six weeks of school.
AISD director of student services Leigh Lowe reported 14 of those students were at Nancy Smith Elementary School and two students were at the secondary campus.
NSES sixth grade teacher Lauren Peacock said remote learning will take some time to get used to and will take cooperation on both sides of the computer.
“Overall, we have not had any technical difficulties on campus, so that is a plus,” Peacock reported. “With distance learning taking place last spring, it definitely prepared me for the current situation.”
Distance Learning
Sibling remote learners whose mother, Paola Gauna, chose for them to stay home are pre-kindergarten student Adalyn Gauna, second grader Abby Gauna, and fourth grader Jathen Perez.
Gauna said the one-on-one focus and extra attention the children get from the remote learning option are making them feel more confident, leading to a better learning environment for them.
Gauna added that each Friday, the students turn in a packet of school work and receive a new one for the next week.
“The material is user friendly, easy to understand, and there is a lot of teacher and school support,” Gauna said.
She added that she and her children are used to this mode of instruction from doing it this past spring, but it is better now because of the structure and support.
“I also really like the option to change from remote learning to in-person learning at the end of a six weeks grading period,” Gauna said. “Fortunately, I have the ability with being self-employed to provide this for my children.”
Guana said the only downside is that the kids miss out on socializing, but they do have each other.
Home School
Not all parents decided to enroll at AISD and are exploring the world of home schooling.
Mom of four Alicia Burton said they live out of town and found that they were spending three hours, give or take, a day on the road driving to and from school and extra curricular activities.
“We loved our time in the Albany school and our children had a great experience with the wonderful teachers and staff,” Burton said. “ However, during the COVID-19 school shutdown, we felt our stress level reduce, and we would be done with school work by lunch or sooner. Additionally, our relationships became closer as a family.”
Burton and her husband Lee are looking forward to the kids getting to go to work with him some days to help with projects, all while getting a great education.
Burton’s youngest, Clancy, will attend Stepping Stones preschool three days a week in Albany, starting next month.
Burton explained that while Clancy is at school, first grader Cameron, second grader Truitt, and third grader Gage will follow a curriculum called A Beka, a comprehensive biblically-based education program.
“We are also visiting several co-ops in Abilene to see if there is one that we would like to join,” Burton added. “The co-op will meet one day a week.”
Burton said they do plan to stay involved in the community of Albany through church, sports, agriculture, and friends during this season of life.
Blended Learning
Albany resident and mother of two Michaela Smith said during the -COVID-19 quarantine time in the spring the differences in educational strengths between her children, Patton and Emma, were clear.
Smith said she had discussed home schooling options with Emma, now in fourth grade, in previous years but decided the 2020-2021 school would be the perfect time to try it.
“Emma’s live online classes through Wilson Hill start after Labor Day,” Smith explained. “I am excited to see how she likes this mode of learning and the program.”
Emma will be enrolled in science, Latin, English literature, biblical-based history, and Singapore math through the Wilson Hill curriculum.
“On the other hand, Patton, who started third grade this year, is thriving at NSES and we feel this is the perfect place for him,” Smith said. “Patton enjoys the social setting and of course loves P.E. and recess the most.”
Smith added that overall home schooling will offer a more flexible schedule for Emma to have more hands-on life experiences and elective learning.
She said, however, the convenience of brick and mortar traditional learning certainly is less demanding on parents schedules.
“We have to remember that every family dynamic is different, and we need to respect the choices we all make that are in the best interest for our own families,” Smith explained. “At the end of the day, I believe the most important aspect of raising children is to provide them with the knowledge of Christ and a loving and safe home.”
