April 15, 2020
Rising to the challenge
Around Town
Wentzville School District hosts STEAM Olympics. Pg. 3 St. Charles County All Together supports local restaurants and health care workers. Pg. 3 City of O’Fallon announces new procedures for the annual Senior Utility Tax Rebate. Pg. 4
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Features
Submitted photos Educators across St. Charles County have been forced to find new ways to instruct, inspire, and engage with local students since the arrival of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). What’s new is the new normal, for the time being, as a result of Governor Mike Parson’s directive, all Missouri school districts will be closed for the remainder of the school year.
With school districts closed for the rest of the school year due to COVID-19, educators innovate to keeps students engaged and connected By Brett Auten Suspicions turned to facts last week. As a result of Governor Mike Parson’s directive, all Missouri school districts will be closed for the remainder of the school year. The decision was deemed necessary to protect the well-being of students, staff, and community, and to minimize the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). These closures include all preschool and after-school care, as well as all athletic events and activities, are canceled for the remainder of the school year, and facilities, fields and playgrounds will not be available until further notice. Districts are not anticipating holding their traditional summer school and summer camps.
Already a few weeks in, learning via Alternative Methods of Instruction will continue during the extended closure. Area educators have become more adept with new programs and technologies. Apps that many had never heard of before, like Zoom, Flipgrid and Screencastify are becoming daily devices. While staples like YouTube and Seesaw are becoming more and more useful. Through this technology, students view lessons in real-time (or can watch later) as well as chat via video with their teacher to check-in for understanding or to just say hello. Apps like FlipGrid allow students to provide feedback on various topics by recording a quick video clip, adding a drawing, or even share their writing.
Jennifer Thies is a kindergarten teacher in the Wentzville School District, where she has worked for eight years. “I have loved using Zoom to hold virtual meetings with my class,” Thies said. “We’ve had a virtual art lesson, show and tell and even a scavenger hunt. There is so much technology available out there for teachers. I am probably most eager about learning new platforms to connect and engage in learning with my students. I am welcoming the challenge of bringing my excitement and passion for learning into the homes of my students” Beth Wehmeier, a third-grade teacher, at Coverdell Elementary school, has taught in See ‘CHALLENGE’ page 2
Serving St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol.22 No.16 | 636-379-1775
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