Advance notice: KC schools were ready for online classes
HERMITAGE — Before schools across the state were shutdown due to COVID-19, administrators at the Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools were already making plans for remote instruction.
“At the beginning of March, the conversation started about school closure,” said Erin Marks, Kennedy Catholic principal. “Our teachers jumped on board right away and we started making plans for remote learning.”
When Gov. Tom Wolf mandated the statewide school closure on Friday, March 13, Kennedy Catholic and Saint John Paul II were already prepared to begin instruction the following Monday, Marks said.
“We have not missed one instructional hour the whole time we’ve been closed,” Marks said. “We’ve really been able to maintain the same expectations and the same quality of work that we demand from our students and from the teachers as well.”
Marks said teachers have mainly been using the Zoom online conferencing function and Google Classroom for students in grades seven through 12 and have been Zooming with their students once a week.
“The teachers post their assignments on Google Classroom,” Marks said. “That’s a really good tool. They can post articles or links to Web sites.”
Marks likened Google Classroom to Facebook where someone can make a post while others can comment underneath it.
“There’s discussion that can happen between the students and the teachers,” Marks said. “The kids submit their work via Google Classroom.”
Kennedy Catholic teachers use materials from KHAN Academy, a California-based non-profit education company that provides lectures, videos and exercises students complete on the website, Marks said.
As for remote learning, she said students seem to be enjoying the whole process.
“They love it!” Marks said. “The kids email me to tell me they’re working for the day. I’ve really gotten to develop stronger relationships with the students.”
Marks said parents love it too.
“It’s much easier for (students) being of technology age,” she said.
For students who have limited access to technology, Marks said teachers have put together paper packets.
The Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools — which includes the high school and Saint John Paul II, for children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade — is continuing religious instruction.
“All of our kids take a religion class every day,” Marks said. “That’s still part of our curriculum.”
Students have the option to watch a religious TV channel that features Mass and recitations of the rosary. Additionally, Marks said some of the priests in the Catholic Diocese of Erie have streamed their Sunday masses, which are being shared on social media.
“It truly takes a village to raise these kids and to educate them,” Marks said. “One of the bigger things we’re learning now is we’re all equally important.”
Cathy Puleo, information technology director and acting principal at Saint John Paul II Elementary School, agreed.
“We’re working together all the time,” Puleo said. “Our teachers usually contact the students’ parents every day.”
Despite not being together physically, Puleo said parents, students and teachers call her to check in.
“It’s just making sure everybody’s doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” she said.
For the students, the use of devices is nothing new.
“They’ve had to do e-learning all year,” Puleo said. “Our whole reading program is online. It’s called “Wonders.”
Teachers sent folders home with students a few months ago. So when schools across the state shut down last month, students already had an e-learning page with four days worth of assignments.
Puleo said most of the teachers and parents have said the transition to remote learning has been smooth.
“They had a whole month to look over this folder we sent home,” Puleo said.
Puleo said remote learning hasn’t been a problem because most students have access to some type of technology.
“They all will find a way to get a computer, a phone or a laptop,” Puleo said. “You’re supposed to do so much digital education in your classroom. So we knew we had to step it up.”
But despite the recent changes in how students learn, Puleo said she thinks students and teachers alike are having fun.”
Teachers check in through Zoom with students about once a week, she said.
“A teacher will read or see the class or teach a lesson,” Puleo said. “They’re all stepping out of the box. The kids love seeing each other.”
So far, Puleo said she hasn’t gotten any negative feedback.
“They’ve been really super about it,” she said. “But it’s only been like three weeks. I don’t know how we’re going to be in four weeks, but right now it’s new and exciting. It’s like a little, virtual field trip for everybody.”
Like Heidi Warren on Facebook or email her at hwarren@sharonherald.com.