Transitioning to remote learning

SEELEY LAKE - "Health should come before homework, family should become before frustration and learning should come before letter grades," said Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Watson said in the Missoula County COVID-19 update April 15. "It's not about your letter grade at this point it is really about learning. If we can keep students engaged in learning activities through the closure, it will help when we get finished."

Seeley Lake Elementary and Seeley-Swan High School teachers, student and parents have been practicing remote learning since March 23 following the school closures directed by Governor Steve Bullock due to the coronavirus pandemic. Schools are closed through April 24 but the directive may be extended.

While SSHS Principal Kellen Palmer was quick to say this is far from the norm, he and SLE Superintendent Daniel Schrock agreed the teachers, students and parents have done an incredible job adapting to the new situation. The schools are doing their best to support and encourage the academic, social and emotional wellbeing of students and their families through this challenging time.

"We are learning on the fly and it is ever evolving," said Palmer. "We have one foot out and one foot in the door while we are waiting to hear every week and a half what the new directive will be from the governor. That makes it hard for teachers to completely dive into it but I think they have."

When school resumed March 30 following spring break, both SSHS and SLE chose to utilize Google Classroom as the online platform. Not only has this tool been used in the K – 12 classrooms at various levels, it also brought consistency for parents with children in both schools.

SLE and SSHS worked with Blackfoot to provide and improve Internet access for students at home. SSHS checked out Chromebooks to students and SLE purchased 35 new ones through SLE Technology Coordinator Dean Phillips.

"Dean Phillips has been crucial to transitioning to online learning," wrote Chantel Thornsberry, SLE fourth grade teacher. "My students have really stepped up to the plate to make this work and the supportive adults in their lives have been invaluable."

"Considering what we had and how we utilized technology, it's grown ten-fold out of necessity," said Schrock. "I feel like it is in the best interest of our school to embrace this technology and get better at it, so that it will be an enrichment opportunity when we have them in school."

Once the foundation for technology was laid, teachers developed lessons to focus on the key concepts and priority standards needed to be successful next year while they helped students maintain skills they had previously learned. Teachers set up meeting times with students on Google Meet and utilized online and print materials to facilitate the learning objectives.

"It's been so challenging to figure out how to navigate the technology, re-assess lessons and figure out how to deliver learning that will help students stay connected to each other and to us and not lose important skills... and then now, to work on starting to learn new things," wrote Lori Messenger, SSHS English teacher, in an email. "I am exhausted and, also, strangely exhilarated. I have never been prouder to be an educator - even though it is impossible under the circumstances to teach to anywhere near the best of our abilities. Love for our students and love for learning has kept us going and I have never felt so connected to teachers and students and families all over the world experiencing similar things and trying to figure out how to creatively and courageously keep grappling!"

For many teachers their goals during this time of remote learning include: having their students healthy, engaged and connected without overwhelming them or their parents; offering support; encouraging students to continue growing as learners and building resilience.

"We are trying to find a balance between keeping standards high but expecting less different products from them than they would have done being at school every day," wrote Messenger.

SSHS Math teacher Mary Stone added, "This is hard, for everyone. I hope they emerge as stronger, more empathetic, and more gracious human beings."

At SLE and SSHS third quarter grades were assigned based on work and assessments completed prior to spring break. Both Palmer and Schrock felt this was the most equitable option. SSHS students did have the opportunity to finish missing assignments to improve their grade.

With the start of fourth quarter, teachers have shifted from reviewing material to teaching new material and giving assessments. Both SLE and SSHS are still discussing whether fourth quarter grades will appear as a letter grade or pass/fail.

"It is hard to give a kid a grade when they might not have the resources at home or they might be watching brothers and sisters," said Palmer. "We understand at this point that school isn't the only things these kids have going on from eight to three anymore and it is a big change."

Distance learning added a new level of complexity to the SSHS Yearbook and SSHS Literary Journal "Backroads of the Mind."

Yearbook advisor Michele Holmes said despite several obstacles, her Yearbook Class was awesome and they completed the yearbook by the deadline. Yearbooks can still be purchased at http://www. yearbookforever.com by searching on Seeley-Swan High School or mail in a check for $50 noting the student's name.

"I hope that the memories captured in it prior to remote learning will be so appreciated by our SSHS students," said Holmes.

Messenger is the faculty advisor for SSHS's literary journal "Backroads of the Mind." While she would like to see the project through, she and the students are still discussing options to make that happen. She said the bulk of the art and writing has been completed. However, she would like to have more time to polish the submissions and include perspectives on COVID-19. Thanks to a grant from the Seeley Lake Community Foundation and student fundraising, they have the funds to publish the journal, however the publishing software is only available at the school.

The Montana Board of Regents voted April 16 to temporarily suspend the Montana University System's requirement that students provide ACT or SAT test scores for admission to its four-year campuses through Sept. 1, 2021. The state cancelled all statewide assessments so juniors will not receive a free ACT from the state this spring. However they are providing it for free this fall for all seniors and results will be provided by college application deadlines.

Watson said he would love to have kids back in school and allow for student activities to resume, however under the current restrictions that would be very difficult. He said MCPS has not made a decision regarding graduation ceremonies. However if there are restrictions in place for graduation, MCPS will comply with them.

Schrock said they are still discussing options for the eighth grade graduation ceremony. He is open to ideas and will take direction from MCPS's decision regarding the in-person ceremony.

Challenges

"All I can do is laugh! Where do I start?" wrote Thornsberry in response to about the biggest challenges of transitioning to remote learning. "Figuring out how to transition to online education within a few days was certainly challenging, but honestly, not being with my students in the classroom is the hardest part."

Many teachers agree.

"I became a teacher for those relationships and continuing every day without the daily warmth and humor we extend to each other has been tough," wrote Messenger.

Messenger, who admitted technology is not her strongest skill set, said she is incredibly thankful for student teacher Courtney George. George taught her ways to make Google Forms that are more user-friendly and engaging for students.

As the math teacher, Stone had very little need for Google Classroom until March 30. She relied on two of her children who are teachers and are adept at Google Classroom, Google Forms and Quizizz, an online quiz format. She added that Holmes "has been a godsend for our school" sending out tips and helping with technology issues.

Stone was inspired by Khan Academy - a free online tutorial website. She created "Coron-A-cademy" for her students. She writes down essential information prior to creating the short videos of her working through math problems step-by-step just like she would in the classroom.

"They aren't perfect but I think they seem to work. And I think it helps the kids to hear me explain things - that is what they are used to," wrote Mary.

Another challenge has been collaborating with parents. Messenger understands the challenge all too well. As she continues to teach her English students from home, she also juggles being a parent of two students. While it is not easy, she is thankful her husband is able to be home most of the time helping keep their children motivated.

Messenger encourages parents to embrace this opportunity and make the best of the time as a family.

"Remind yourselves that there are no real lines between subjects - that math and science and history and English have lots of crossover - and seek interdisciplinary projects," wrote Messenger. "We all get a chance to be reminded that learning is ultimately not about grades, but about the actual information and growth we seek in getting truly educated. This is a lifelong process and it doesn't require school walls to happen."

Making the best of it

"They say necessity is the mother of invention and I'm really proud of the staff," said Schrock who has been encouraged by how teachers have adapted and reached out to their students.

Physical Education teacher Julie Haines started an Activity Log for students. Even though she can't have them in class, it encourages them to get outside and be active.

Third grade teacher Kristy Pohlman and Librarian Susan Bracha worked together with Clearwater Montana Properties Real Estate Broker Carey Kanavel and installed a Book Box outside of SLE for students to check out library books and build their personal libraries. This promotes the love of reading they all share.

In addition to three scheduled meeting times, Pohlman said she has also made herself available to her students online all day. She said she has students check in and ask what they should do next, ask if they can eat lunch or if they can get a snack.

"You don't realize how much of a lifeline you end up being for them," said Pohlman who enjoys the interaction.

At the high school, teacher Shawn Holmes came up with the "I Can Do It" SSHS Challenges. Staff and community members can share a "how-to" video of things like checking the oil, changing a tire, baking a cake, etc. Then the students provide video or photos of them completing the challenges and they are shared with all the students.

"It is our hope that this gets students away from their computer screens as well as is fun and a different kind of learning that will help them in life," wrote Michele Holmes.

Messenger started a journal writing activity with her freshman and sophomores that she developed with George. Students are asked to write and draw about their experiences during the pandemic.

"Getting their journal entries over the last few days has been such a gift. I get to see where everyone is at and how they are spending their days and what they are observing, thinking and feeling," wrote Messenger. "At the same time we keep working on critical writing skills like use of sensory detail and explaining their thinking clearly enough that people (such as your grand kids someday!) could read and understand their experience."

"It's not about quantity, it is about quality," said Schrock. "It's been a challenge but I'm really proud of what we have done. Not only in Seeley Lake but across the country, education has taken a huge leap forward and I think that will pay dividends down the road."

SSHS parents and students are encouraged to visit remote learning under the Academics tab on the SSHS website https://www.mcpsmt.org/Page/15 for more information regarding the weekly requirements by class for students. For SLE students and their families visit https://sleonline.org and click on Class Sites under the Students tab.