At-home students falling behind
Robbinsville – Graham County students that have opted into remote-learning only are struggling to complete assignments.
At Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, principals David Matheson (Robbinsville High School), Tonia Walsh (Robbinsville Middle School) and Jaime Hooper (Robbinsville High School) each reported that those enrolled in virtual learning – which is a 9-week commitment – are failing to log in and complete their coursework.
Each principal pointed out that the problem could be resolved through simple communication from parents and/or students to administrators, but many are not contacting the schools to request help. This has led to home visits by School Resource Officers, but the response rate is still low.
The principals and school board were unified in the stance that faculty is doing all it can to make the unique circumstances work.
“In the first couple of weeks, we have had a lot of problems with getting kids to understand that they have to log in and try to do their work,” said Matheson. “The SROs are going out and letting parents know that they could be charged as a compulsory to attendance violations, because these kids are doing nothing at home. That is a real concern.”
In one instance, Hooper had to file a missing person’s report, as the parent was giving differing answers about the lack of remote response. It was later discovered that the child was in New York.
“My teachers are teaching the children in front of them, the children remotely and are fielding questions from all the children, as well as parents and grandparents that are trying to help. They feel like they’re trying to educate in a 3-ring circus,” Hooper said. “I feel like right now, what is sitting in front of them is an impossible task.”
The principals all explained that in-person instruction is going smoothly, with student behavior at an exemplary level. Instructors are working tirelessly to return phone calls and help troubleshoot problems students might be experiencing with virtual learning, with Hooper noting that several teachers at the elementary schools have answered calls between 8-9 p.m.
Technology director Myra Waldroup later reiterated that WiFi hotspots are set up at 10 county churches and more hotspots are in the pipeline, thanks to donations and grants.
Superintendent Angie Knight commended the school system for its dedication to the increased workload, and later summarized a new policy to the board concerning remote learning.
“As we take input from our social media and from parents, we’re hearing loud and clear that there needs to be more support,” said Knight. “I’d like for us to dismiss school at 2 p.m. and with buses and everyone cleared out, the teachers can use that last hour to help with remote learning.
“Overall, I don’t know how much more that we could do differently. We’re building this plan on the fly and I think we’re flying as well as we can.”
The motion to close schools at 2 p.m. passed unanimously at the end of the meeting and will begin Monday, Sept. 14.
Other news and notes
* Facilities director Kevin White explained that a recent Zoom meeting with architects about the addition to the middle school was to simply put the final touches on the sketches. Graham County Schools will then submit the plans to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction for approval, before putting the project out for bids. White projected that the bidding process could begin in the next few months.
* Career and Technical Education director Rhonda Anderson boasted that Graham County finished fourth in the state on Career and Technical Education credentials earned for the 2018-19 school year – the latest Career and Technical Education data available. For the number of Graham students enrolled in Career and Technical Education, each is earning at least two credentials of certification.