Baldwin-Whitehall School District's Clarification Of Instructional Models

Press release from the Baldwin-Whitehall School District:

Aug. 6, 2020

Dear Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Community:

The release of the FAQ document on August 5, 2020, has generated a large amount of discussion and concern regarding teacher and student expectations for learners. I have been in conversation with many parents, teachers and administrators throughout the course of last evening and today. The conversations have made clear that additional information is needed by all groups – myself included.

Since the release of the preliminary reopening plan on July 24, 2020, the District has received an incredible amount of feedback related to many topics. Hopefully the depth and breadth of those questions was reflected in the FAQ document. Many concerns related to Teaching and Learning consisted of recording lessons, recording children, student privacy issues, technology in the classroom and at home, screen time for children, and student expectations – mostly all pertaining to the remote learner.

For those reasons and many more, remote learning for children is going to be hard. It is not the same as adults working remotely as many of us have had to do over the past several months. Distractibility, attention spans, behavioral issues, motivation as well as connectivity and device issues have the ability to derail a lesson for all involved. As adults, we might find it amusing when a co-workers' cat walks across the table in front of the computer during a Zoom meeting. But for a group of 3rd graders, it will mostly likely end any sort of meaningful lesson.

Nevertheless, we should not be limited in our desire to provide the highest level of instruction to all learners, whether that be in-person or remotely. We expected that the release of the FAQ document would generate a second level of questions that were more complex and instructionally focused. Throughout the day today, educators have been challenging each other in meaningful conversations to continue developing an instructional model that will meet the needs of all learners. We have focused conversation and actions in the following areas:

Differentiating the needs of the remote portion of the week for students that are hybrid learners as compared to the needs of the full remote learners

Developing a weekly schedule for teachers that increases opportunities for synchronous instruction and real time supports for children

Defining how Wednesdays will be used to support all learners, whether in person for "Highlander Days" or as part of a student's remote learning experience

Exploring options for staff/faculty to support the full remote learner

Building an instructional model that incorporates in-person with remote learning is hard work. But even more importantly, it is new work. I have continually asked staff and faculty members (and myself) to rethink our roles. What we knew about school prior to March 13th is irrelevant as we approach the new school year. To a person, everyone continues to step up and impress me with their thinking and dedication. But this work will take time. The instruction and learning we see on Day 1 of the year will be different on Day 30, 60 or however long this model lasts. We WILL get better every day. That is my commitment to you as a parent, faculty member, and most importantly, student of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District.

I ask that you continue to work with us as we build this new model for education. Submit questions to your principal or to me directly. They help all of us focus on the things that are important to you. By doing so, it is not just about getting back to normal, but getting to something that will be better.

Sincerely,

Randal A. Lutz Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

This press release was produced by the Baldwin-Whitehall School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.