The Knox Community School Corporation’s first month of class went as well as could be expected, given the circumstances. That’s what Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart told the school board last week.
“It’s gone amazingly well,” he said. “Have we had kids that have had to quarantine? Absolutely. Have we had staff that’s had to quarantine? Absolutely. Billie has to get more subs than we’ve ever had to get in the past for longer periods of time. But I still say this is the best thing for our kids right now in our community, and parents have been very supportive of that, as well.”
All three principals also reported a good start to the school year. They said students who started the year virtually are gradually deciding to return to the classroom, although some middle and high school students are also making the opposite switch. At the elementary school, Principal Michelle Tarnow said certain teachers have been designated to handle the virtual classes, but they also have some in-person students, since they like having live kids to teach to.
But there are still a few challenges to work out. Superintendent Reichhart said it can be hard to push younger students to turn in their homework when they aren’t actually in the classroom, and the high school is still working on a fair way to conduct assessments for virtual students.
He added that he expects more absences this year, as students are urged to stay home if they’re sick. “But we don’t know what the symptoms are,” Reichhart said. “So if they go to their doctor, and their doctor says it’s allergies, then they can come back. But if they get tested, they have to stay out until we get the results.”
Additionally, Reichhart said the state is now requiring schools to document why students are absent, so they can be added to the state’s database.
