Monday morning, parents of students at Winona Christian School picked up educational packets which contained a week’s worth of school work to be completed and returned for grading.
According to Headmaster Jimmy Pittman, the educational packets, as well as curriculum available online on RenWeb, is a starting place for students to continue learning, even if they are confined at home during the coronavirus situation.
“We are all in unchartered waters,” Pittman said. “There is no blueprint, but we have got to serve our kids.”
On Monday, Pittman said every student packet was picked up with the exception of one, which was the result of the parent not receiving the message. Study material in the packets will be returned to the school each Monday for grading, and new packets will be ready to pick up.
“We are trying to serve everyone, even those without internet,” Pittman said. “I am pleased with how things went and am so proud of the participation. Our parents are amazing.”
Tuesday, Winona Christian’s faculty was working to perfect a virtual classroom to be aired on Zoom, a free online video conferencing service.
“We are in the process of getting the kinks worked out of our virtual classrooms,” Pittman said. “Teacher are working to do one lesson per week per [subject]. Through zoom, teachers will have the option of actually interacting with students. In the elementary setting, teachers are really excited because they really miss those little guys.”
Virtual classrooms will be optional due to some students having limited internet service.
“I’m hoping the virtual classroom will give students a sense of normalcy as they get back into the classroom setting,” Pittman said.
Pittman said Zoom is also allowing him to have online meetings with his faculty and staff to ensure the students are being properly served in a remote setting. He said his teachers are all abiding by the current protocol and working from home.
“I want to make sure we are doing enough to serve these kids,” Pittman said. “We will probably kick off [our virtual classrooms] next week. We will have to work out a schedule so all the teachers are doing them at the same time.”
Pittman praised his teachers for working hard to find the best ways to reach students while the school is closed due to the pandemic.
“We don’t know what is going to happen next,” Pittman said. “This has gotten us out of our comfort zone. I know it has forced me to learn more about technology.”
Pittman said that although the current crisis is not idea for educating children, the school has had to “think out of the box,” in planning and lesson plans. In addition, he said if there is a need in the future for remote teaching, the school now has a plan in place.
Winona Christian School’s pre-registration is currently ongoing. Parents may visit the school office from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Monday and Wednesdays.
“We are limiting the number of people coming into our office at one time,” Pittman said. “And if a parent needs to make other arrangements, we will certainly work to accommodate them.”
For more information about pre-registration, contact the school office at 662-283-1169.
