School to stay closed another four weeks
By Donnie A. Lucas
With the announcement made Tuesday that schools across Texas will remain closed until Monday, May 4, local parents and students will continue to receive assignments online or through packets of printed materials.
Both the elementary and secondary campuses have been providing instruction since schools were first shut down three weeks ago, and that will continue until classes resume.
A change has been made for elementary students starting this week. All printed materials will be distributed once per week on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for all grades. Some classes for fifth and sixth graders will continue to be provided online through Google Classroom.
At the elementary school, parents are asked to drive up in the circle in front of the campus to their student’s grade level station to turn in work and pick up new materials.
Teachers will be spread out along the front circle by grade level to distribute materials.
School staff members will deliver the printed packets to the parent’s vehicle in order to limit exposure to both the parents and staff.
Secondary Instruction
Classes at the junior high and high school levels will continue to be provided on Google Classroom.
Printed materials are available for the few students who do not have access to the internet. Anyone who needs actual hard copy instruction should notify the office and their teacher in advance so that lessons can be copied when possible.
“We will continue to hold steady with online instruction,” principal Edward Morales said. “We will be here each day for anyone who needs paper copies.”
He added that very few students are requiring paper copies.
Some teachers noted that they are having a problem with students completing assignments in a timely manner according to the deadlines.
Math teacher Rick Davis said Monday that only about 65 percent of the students in two of his geometry classes had completed a test last week by the deadline, with several tests still not taken this week.
Teachers have been attempting to contact both parents and students either by phone, text, or email when assignments are missing.
“We need to hear from any students who are having a problem with their internet service and haven’t completed assignments,” English teacher Jennifer Everitt said. “Unfinished assignments will go in the gradebook as missing, which calculates as a zero. We want to be as flexible and understanding as possible, but in the end each student is responsible for his or her grades.”
Morales said that he and special education teacher Sara Wilson have delivered a few packets of print materials to students.
The principal said he has asked teachers to regularly contact parents and students who are not turning in all required assignments.
“Next Thursday is the end of the fifth six-weeks,” said Morales. “Obviously, we are taking grades and anything not completed or turned in will be reflected on report cards.”
Superintendent Jonathan Scott said he has heard from some parents about receiving additional help in some subjects.
“We definitely miss having Lion Academy after school for students to get more help,” he said. “Online instruction is not what is best for all students. Since we are limited in what face-to-face services we can offer, parents should call or email teachers to possibly find a solution.”
Scott also stressed that teachers and other school staff members are attempting to contact parents for help when assignments are not completed.
“We are going to continue to do what we have been doing to provide for our students,” he said. “If there are any questions, parents are encouraged to communicate with the teacher or the office.”
