Back To School 2020

Back to School 2020-21 Schoolyear Prep for Mapleton & Siuslaw School Districts September 2020 A special supplement to Siuslaw News

A New Approach to Learning: Distance education, student technology, cyber safety & bandwidth and connectivity

2| SEPTEMBER 2020 | BACK TO SCHOOL

P

NIE

NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION

lans for the upcoming school year are still up in the air and the Siuslaw News is looking at ways to help support the kids, no matter what model local school districts decide on as they reopen.

Newspapers in Education (NIE) is a program we have done for the last several years that allows teachers to request copies of the Siuslaw News to use in the classroom and we would like to extend the offer of a subscription directly to the students. This means subscriptions will be directly in the hands of hundreds of students in the Siuslaw and Mapleton school districts.

From literacy to politics, current events

and world history, newspaper stories teach valuable skills and life lessons. Encouraging kids to read the newspaper not only makes them better students, it also makes them informed citizens. By encouraging kids to read, ask questions and think critically, newspapers play an important role in our future as a country.

A donation of $25 will supply a 1-year subscription for one student for the 202021 school year.

For more information please contact the Siuslaw News NIE Representative Misty Berg at 541-902-3526 or mberg@thesiuslawnews.com.

Western Lane Ambulance District

Siuslaw School District

Mapleton School District

WWW.SIUSLAW.K12.OR.US

WWW.MAPLETON.K12.OR.US

School District Phone: 541-997-2651 Elementary: 541-997-2514 MS: 541-997-8241 | HS: 541-997-3448

School District Phone: 541-268-4312 Elementary: 541-268-4471 High School: 541-268-4322

INSIDE

6&7 —

District 2020-21 Calendars

2—

Newspapers in Education

8—

Effective Remote Learning

3—

Setting up a Home Office

9—

Cyber Safety

4—

Ready Schools, Safe Learners

10 —

A New Approach to Learning

5—

Intro to the Schoolyear

11 —

Importance of the Arts

A

PUBLICATION OF THE

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BACK TO SCHOOL | SEPTEMBER 2020 |3

How to set up a home office for distance learning

R

emote work has been around for many years, though it certainly picked up steam in 2020. In an effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, in March 2020 government officials implemented stay-at-home measures that mandated that teachers and students begin working from home. That transition occurred seemingly overnight, forcing everyone to find somewhere in their homes to work.

As the dust settled and people grew accustomed to working from home, many recognized the need to have an office in their homes. Various factors can make home offices more conducive to getting work done, and the following are some home of-

be necessary, and lights that can dim can allow each person to adjust their lighting based on how much they need at any given point in the workday.

fice must-haves that can help people be more productive while working from home.

Lighting Lighting is important in a home office. Natural light Quiet can help save on When designenergy costs and ing a home office, boost mood. In people should make fact, natural light is their offices cona valued commodity for people used Everyone working from home, including students and teachers, ducive to concentration. Look for to working in office should have designated areas for their home office space. areas of the home settings. sought after attribute of a office. that don’t get much A 2018 survey When designing work-at- foot traffic. Kitchens are of more than 1,600 workers workplace environment.

In addition, 47 percent of home spaces, people should very popular rooms in many conducted by the human resources advisory firm Future workers surveyed admitted choose areas of their homes homes, so try to locate your Workplace found that access they felt tired or very tired that get ample natural light home office away from the to natural light and views of from the absence of natural during a typical workday. kitchen. A desk in a bedthe outdoors were the most light or a window at their Additional lighting also will room or space away from

others working from home should help.

Electrical outlets Recently built homes tend to be equipped with enough outlets to accommodate our increasingly connected lifestyles. But older homes may need some electrical updates before they can capably accommodate home offices.

People should set up desks where they won’t overload outlets. If extension cords are used, make sure they aren’t placed where people walk.

Home office capabilities became a big priority in 2020. Setting up your space should be part of your preparation for the start of the school year. — Metro

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4| SEPTEMBER 2020 | BACK TO SCHOOL

Ready Schools, Safe Learners

Guidance for school year 2020-21 from Oregon Department of Education & Oregon Health Authority

(Dated Aug. 11, 2020 — Read current updates at www. oregon.gov/ode/students-andfamily/healthsafety/Pages/ Planning-for-the-2020-21School-Year.aspx)

M

ore than Six weeks have passed since we first released Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance for school leaders across Oregon. When we wrote our first letter describing the initial release of the guidance, we named that we couldn’t yet have all the answers for school in the fall, but we would commit to tracking Oregon’s COVID-19 impacts, learning from a variety of inputs, and iterating the guidance through the summer.

We’re confident that this update shows our continued evolution to support public health and safety, mitigate risks from the spread of COVID-19, and create learning opportunities for students that are both responsive and relevant to the moment.

Updates in this guidance include expanded face covering requirements for students in Kindergarten and above, as well as all staff (face covering guidance may continue to change as we align across sectors and respond to COVID-19 spread in Oregon).

Importantly, we also more clearly explain cohorting as a risk mitigation strategy with a firm limit on cohort size.

We have clarified the roles of local public health authorities, school districts, and state leaders in determining when school facilities need to close due to an outbreak of COVID-19.

And we have improved the definitions and designs of the instructional models by significantly clarifying and distinguishing between expectations of engagement, reporting of attendance, and meeting instructional time requirements. The application of an equity lens and the digestion of real-time equity impacts continue to inform every aspect of our efforts.

The Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance places tremendous responsibility at the hands of local school and health officials with state oversight to protect the health of all Oregonians. Each version of guidance has been written specifically for those who are actively planning and will implement how learning will be supported in the coming school year—school leaders, superintendents, principals, business managers, with specific attention to teacher leaders and support staff.

As a highly detailed, technical document, it may be complex as the general public, families, and students try to make sense of the information it contains to anticipate how their particular schools will decide to proceed.

School and learning don’t happen out of the context of community. Finding shared understanding and shared direction can best happen at the local and immediate level of communities across the state. This guidance informs and creates the parameters for those conversations that should happen between local public health officials, school leaders, board members, educators, staff, students, families, and community-based culturally-specific organizations, as well as other sectors from faith to philanthropy.

Everyone’s voice matters and must be balanced with statewide considerations to protect the public’s health.

We have provided a set of decision-making tools that can assist in deepening local engagement in order to arrive at the most viable decisions for each place.

For the 2020-21 school year, each public school will work under the direction of the school district to develop an Operational Blueprint for

Reentry that is tailored to this local context and informed by local needs. Each public charter school will work under the direction of its sponsor to develop its own Operational Blueprint for Reentry that is tailored to the community it serves. And, each private school will develop its own Operational Blueprint for Reentry that is tailored to the community it serves.

Each Operational Blueprint for Reentry must address essential elements including Public Health Protocols; Equity; Instruction; and Family and Community Engagement.

By August 17 or prior to the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, the Operational Blueprint for Reentry must be submitted to the local school board (or private school operator), the local public health authority, and ODE; the blueprint must also be made available to the community online.

Every school, under the direction of the district, determines whether they teach all students on-site, teach all students through comprehensive distance learning or utilize a hybrid model. A communicable disease management plan is also required and should be developed through close coordination between the schools, school districts, and the local

public health authorities.

In the coming weeks, we will release a set of guideposts, protocols, and public health indicators that will help determine the best instructional model for a given zip code or county. Data about readiness of local healthcare systems and the state of local COVID-19 rates will help inform school decisions about when to move to On-Site or Hybrid models of instruction.

We know COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous, and students of color, as well as people navigating poverty and the elderly. There’s no easy solution to resolve existing inequities, and ODE and OHA continue to work closely together to develop solutions with an understanding of the research evidence and implementation challenges needed to support the school year ahead for everyone in schools.

We continue to learn on a daily basis about COVID-19 and how school systems are responding across the US and in nations across the world.

Our teams continue to scour that information for ways to improve what we’ve put forward while keeping in mind the values and guiding principles we’ve used to guide decision making.

As ODE and OHA continue to work hand-in-hand, we express deep gratitude to the school leaders and everyone collaborating with them to support learning in the year ahead. As they work tirelessly over the summer, they have hundreds of consequential decisions to make with lives and learning in the balance.

This moment calls for the best of our collaborative and inclusive leadership and governance. Safety and wellness, connectivity and relationship, equity, and innovation continue to be a focus guiding our collective efforts to resolve challenges and find solutions for physical and mental health, learning, digital infrastructure, nutrition, and transportation.

With gratitude for all of this hard work, as well as each difficult decision and collaborative solution ahead of us. #ReadySchools #SafeLearners Sincerely, Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Patrick Allen, Director of the Oregon Health Authority

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BACK TO SCHOOL | SEPTEMBER 2020 |5

‘Schools are equally important for the education of children & for the economy’

I

n August, Florence Area Chamber of Commerce moderated an hourlong discussion over Zoom concerning back-to-school updates and its impact on the workforce.

The discussion, between Oregon Sen. Arnie Roblan, Siuslaw and Mapleton school superintendents Andy Grzeskowiak and Jodi O’Mara, along with Hyak internet service CEO Robbie Wright, covered current plans for reopening schools in the area, broadband and internet challenges, school funding, concern over a lack of childcare, the upcoming flu season and delays to school sports.

As of now, both the Siuslaw and Mapleton school districts plant to start school on Monday, Sept. 14, using a comprehensive distance learning model.

Grzeskowiak said one reason he does not want to rush back to inperson operations is that a majority of Siuslaw’s teachers and staff are considered at-risk due to age or other factors. Instead, the school district will use a phased opening based on county and local case numbers over time.

However, the district is trying to prioritize in-person instruction for students who particularly struggle with distance learning.

“After two weeks of remote operations, we have the opportunity for some limited in-person instruction,” Grzeskowiak said. “All students will get their primary instruction [remotely] before lunch. And then we’ll be able to start bringing in small groups of kids for up to two hours a day in the afternoon as needed or required for enrichment, special services or special needs.”

If county cases continue to decline, both Siuslaw and Mapleton schools could start a hybrid learning model around November, when half the students would be in the classroom every other day, with the other half

attending in person on the opposite days.

“By local metrics, if we had one new infection per week, we would be on the verge of closing, and with two or more new cases per week, we would be back to distance learning,” Grzeskowiak said. “So, with such a fine margin, we didn’t want to start out on campus and then by the end of week one have a presumed or confirmed case — and then be back out again. We’re trying to prevent some whiplash for staff, students and parents.”

For Mapleton, O’Mara explained that the delayed start date allows for more in-depth staff training as well as time to connect with each family before the school year begins.

“We are bringing students and families in to do some one-on-one orientation training,” O’Mara said.

“We’ll go over the technology, log-in information and scheduling, and just make that personal connection at the beginning of the year.”

One of the biggest hurdles that both districts are working through is internet access.

“We’re in communication with some technology associations and the Lane Education Service District to help support some of our families who have no cell service and live in a dead zone for internet service,” O’Mara said. “While there’s only a handful of such families, a handful is enough that it makes it worthwhile for us to at least push that and see what we can do to help support them.”

In the Siuslaw School District, Grzeskowiak said that about 40 families reported a lack of internet access during a survey conducted last spring.

The school district has since brainstormed several ways to address this issue.

One idea is to establish a location in town where parents and students

Siuslaw School District Internet Assistance Program

could go to access a hotspot during the day. However, this idea has its limits as not every parent has the time or resources to bring their child to the hotspot every day to complete their online work.

If affordability is the issue, Siuslaw will be offering 30 WIFI hotspots to families who have internet capabilities but simply can’t afford it. Parents can also apply for an internet subsidy program to help keep their internet running.

“If you live in town, you generally have several options. But as you leave town, you just start losing opportunity for anything,” said Wright. “Satellite can be good, as long as you have a reasonably clear line of sight, but it tends to get really expensive. And the second you start doing Zoom videos — anything video related — is when you start to consume a lot of your bandwidth.”

Roblan, who is on the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council (OBAC), said there have been efforts for a long time to expand more broadband into rural areas, but the funding just wasn’t there. Recently though, the state has put $20 million into expanding broadband into rural Oregon.

However, Wright pointed out that western Lane County did not benefit from this round of funding as much as eastern and southern Oregon.

School districts across Oregon have had to grapple with this issue for a long time, but the coronavirus has put it at the forefront of legislators’ minds.

“Broadband is as important now as electricity is, so we’ve got to figure out how to get it to that last house down that last road,” Roblan said. “If there’s something positive that comes out of this whole coronavirus experience, it may be that we start really understanding the importance of the internet not only for schools but for medical staff and everyone else.”

The Siuslaw School District Board of Directors has created an Internet Assistance Program to address the cost associated with home internet during times of Comprehensive Distance Learning or Hybrid Attendance, when students will spend some time at

In terms of technology, both Mapleton and Siuslaw have purchased enough Chromebooks to provide every single student with a device in the upcoming year. The schools plan to work closely with parents and students who are not as comfortable using the technology, either through one-on-one meetings, in-person orientations or via video chats.

As for software, middle and high school students will primarily use Google Classroom and Google Meet, while younger students will use Seesaw and Zoom, according to O’Mara and Grzeskowiak.

At that point, the topic changed to concerns over flu season arriving at the same time schools start up inperson learning again.

“At that time of the year, we would most likely be in a hybrid model. Students would still be in masks and six feet apart, so hopefully that’ll control some of the spread,” Grzeskowiak said. “And again, we’ve got reporting protocols in place, as set by Lane County Public Health, for reporting presumed or confirmed cases within student groups or across the school.”

He said the benefit of the hybrid model is that students can continue to learn uninterrupted if they do begin to show symptoms of illness and have to stay home for several days because all classes will be recorded live.

Roblan urged that families not let the fear of coronavirus prevent them from going to the doctor or pharmacy to get a flu shot this season.

“What we don’t want is people who can get the flu and on top of that, get the coronavirus,” the senator said. “I think that could be really disastrous and that’s the fear of a lot of health professionals.”

Childcare was the next big topic on the agenda. With school beginning remotely soon and many childcare centers closed or not running at full capacity, parents are left wondering

home learning remotely.

The program is needs based, and considers both household income and size.

How to Apply for the Internet Assistance Program: Families of students in the Siuslaw School District can apply online using the electron-

ic link at www.siuslaw.k12.or.us/ internet-assistance-program to a Google Form or by downloading a paper copy of the form and then submitting the completed paperwork to any school office.

For those receiving public assistance benefits, there are discount-

where they are going to send their children when they work.

In Florence, many parents rely on the Boys and Girls Club for childcare.

But now, the club can only accept a fraction of the number of students into its facilities due to health restrictions.

Roblan said that this year, the state has put more money from the Student Success Act into Early Childhood care than ever before, but it’s still not enough.

“We’re going to have to figure out ways in which groups can come together to help subsidize it,” he said.

“Because trying to keep a business going where you can only have ‘x’ number of kids in a space and you need to have a much higher adult-to-child ratio than for schools — it gets fairly expensive and we don’t pay people very well.”

O’Mara is working closely with the preschool in Mapleton to figure out how and when it can open up again.

But for most parents, there is no other option currently than in-home care.

“It’s been a struggle before the pandemic and it’s even more so now and I wish I had answers,” O’Mara said.

“I know we’re working as hard as we can to find those families and support them, but it’s a difficult challenge.”

Before the webinar wrapped up, the speakers touched on the importance of socialization and the prospect of beginning student sports again.

“We’ve got to make sure that kids are healthy and ready to go and academics are taken care of first before we start launching back into athletics,” Grzeskowiak said.

“We do know that kids need to be around other kids,” Roblan said. “The socialization part of school that we’re missing right now is really hard on families and children and we really do want everybody back at school as soon as we can get them.” — From Siuslaw News, Aug. 26, 2020 ed internet connection services available through the Oregon Lifeline Program of the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

More information and application materials are available at www.siuslaw.k12.or.us/internetassistance-program.

6| SEPTEMBER 2020 | BACK TO SCHOOL

2020-21 Siuslaw School District Calendar SEPTEMBER 2020-21 will begin with comprehensive distance learning for all grades.

7 – Labor Day 14 – First Day of School

OCTOBER 9 – State In-service 15 – Family Conferences 16 – Family Conferences

NOVEMBER 11 – Veteran’s Day/No School 13 – Teacher Grading Day for Quarter 1 25-27 – Thanksgiving Holiday/ No School

1 – Holiday/No School 4 – School Resumes 18 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday/No School

16 – Teacher Grading Day for Quarter 3

MAY

11 – Family Conferences 12 – Family Conferences 22-26 – Spring Break/No School

APRIL

5 – Semester 1/Quarter 2 Grading Day 15 – President’s Day Holiday/ No School

MARCH

JANUARY

21-31 – Winter Break/No School

FEBRUARY

DECEMBER

WWW.SIUSLAW.K12.OR.US School District Phone: 541-997-2651 Elementary: 541-997-2514 MS: 997-8241 | HS: 997-3448

31 – Memorial Day Holiday/ No School

JUNE 11 – Graduation 17 – Last Day for Students End of 4th Nine Weeks 18 – Semester 2/Quarter 4 Grading Day * 18-22 – Inclement Weather Days

WWW.MAPLETON.K12.OR.US School District Phone: 541-268-4312 Elementary: 541-268-4471 High School: 541-268-4322

SEPTEMBER 2020-21 will be a four-day school week. Classes will be Monday through Thursday Elementary: 8:10 am – 3:35 pm MS/HS: 8:10 am – 3:47 pm

BACK TO SCHOOL | SEPTEMBER 2020 |7

2020-21 Mapleton School District Calendar

7 – Labor Day 14 – First Day of School

OCTOBER 9 – State In-service 16 – Teacher Workday

NOVEMBER 5 – End of 1st Nine Weeks 6 – Teacher Grading Day 11 – Veteran’s Day/No School 13 – School on Friday 19 – Evening PT Conferences 20 – Morning PT Conferences 25-27 – Thanksgiving Holiday/ No School

1 – Holiday/No School 4 – School Resumes 18 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday/No School 28 – End of 2nd Nine Weeks 29 – Teacher Grading Day

APRIL

8 – End of 3rd Nine weeks 9 – Teacher Grading Day 22 – Evening PT Conferences 23 – Morning PT Conferences

MAY

22-26 – Spring Break/No School

15 – President’s Day Holiday/ No School 19 – School on Friday 26 – Teacher Workday

MARCH

JANUARY

4 – Teacher Workday 21-31 – Winter Break/No School

DECEMBER

FEBRUARY

14 – Teacher Workday 31 – Memorial Day Holiday/ No School

JUNE 9 – Last Day for Seniors 12 – Graduation 14 – Last Day for Kindergarten 15 – Last Day for Students End of 4th Nine Weeks 16 – Teacher Grading Day

8| SEPTEMBER 2020 | BACK TO SCHOOL

Tips for effective remote learning

An increased reliance on virtual home instruction has many students rethinking their organizational strategies and daily school schedules. Learning at home is different from being in a traditional classroom environment, but with some effective strategies, students can persevere without missing a beat.

Stick to a schedule Many students are successful because they follow a schedule.

Routines and schedules are important because they influence a child’s emotional and cognitive development. Children feel secure with schedules, which may help them recognize what’s expected of them.

When learning at home, students should strive to maintain as consistent a schedule as possible, including bedtimes, wake times, hours devoted to learning, and time to get outside or engage in downtime activities.

factors outside of one’s control during virtual instruction, but maintaining consistency with tools and schedules is one way to feel more confident and secure.

Check student accounts frequently Just like students, teachers may be learning as they go in regard to remote learning strategies. Students should be sure to check school email accounts or other places where teachers post assignments a few times per day so that they stay on top of all assignments and are aware of due dates.

Reach out to instructors Students should contact their teachers if they are unsure of how to participate in remote learning environments. Ask questions about assignments, get clarification on key topics and be sure to tune into any remote chats or virtual office hours.

Stay in touch with guidance, if needed Remote learning is a new experience for many students, and there may be certain struggles or road blocks. It can be easy to grow frustrated with equipment failures or lack of in-person interaction. Schools employ qualified therapists and guidance counselors who are just a click, call or email away if issues need to be talked through. Students should utilize all resources made available Stick to tools that work to them.

Once students find apps or Virtual home instruction can systems that work, they should be made even easier with some stick with them. There are many extra assistance and guidance.

Connect live if possible There are many free tools and resources available that enable teachers to provide live video lessons or to record them so students can watch them later. Similarly, social networking apps and virtual meeting programs enable students to connect digitally. This can be helpful for collaborative learning assignments or just to see a familiar face.

Head Start of Lane County is now enrolling for preschool. For more information, call 541-747-2425 or visit www.hsolc.org.

How to manage low bandwidth

One of the biggest challenges posed by remote learning is keeping students connected to their teachers and their classmates, not all of whom had readily available access to devices that could facilitate such connections. In recognition of that challenge, school systems worked to procure devices for students only to be confronted by another challenge: low bandwidth.

According to Microsoft, bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred over an internet connection per second. Low bandwidth can compromise students’ ability to stay connected to their virtual classrooms. In an effort to help students overcome that challenge, Microsoft offers the following tips on how educators, students and parents can manage low bandwidth during remote learning sessions.

• Reduce reliance on video during class sessions. Turning video cameras off during live class sessions

can help to overcome the challenges posed by low bandwidth, as live video is a key contributor to excessive use of bandwidth. If video must be used, encourage students to turn off their cameras when they are not speaking.

• Use pre-recorded content. Prerecording content enables students to stream video over the internet, saving those with low bandwidth the hassle of downloading large video files to their computers. Microsoft recommends educators who prerecord content for their students to

stream to instruct those students to use class time to complete assignments. Educators can make themselves available via chat to answer questions students may have about their assignments.

• Avoid video-based assignments.

It can be difficult for students with low bandwidth to send very large files, such as videos. Educators can help students avoid that issue by not requiring them to submit videos as part of their assignments.

• Encourage students to sync files to their devices. Each device is different and each manufacturer has its own instructions on how to sync files to devices. But Microsoft notes that syncing files to a device allows students to read them offline, which is ideal for students with limited internet connectivity.

Low bandwidth poses a challenge for remote learners. Thankfully, there are ways to overcome low bandwidth so students can keep learning.

Helping children navigate social distancing

Children may be more deeply affected by social distancing than any other group of people. In a matter of weeks, millions of young children and adolescents went from attending school in the classroom to being told they had to work exclusively from home. At the same time, children also were asked to give up their sports teams, clubs, meetings, and play dates. Older children may understand the how and why of social distancing, but no matter their ages, kids may be left emotionally adrift as social distancing guidelines stay in place.

No one is certain about what the long-term effects of social distancing will be on both children and adults.

Amy Learmonth, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist at the Cognition, Memory and Development Lab at William Paterson University in New Jersey, notes that early social development takes place mostly within the family.

As children age, their peer group becomes the more important hub of

social development.

The longer social distancing restrictions are in place, the more these developments may adversely affect youngsters.

Parents can take steps to help kids cope during these uncertain times.

• Set up digital play dates. The connectivity of the internet enables people to keep in touch even if they cannot be together physically. Encourage children to engage their friends via online chats, ideally ones that feature video so they can see and hear their friends. Parents of young children can reach out to one another and establish digital play dates via FaceTime or another virtual meeting app.

• Lighten up on screen time restrictions. Each person has a different way to cope with social distancing and pass the time. Children may spend more time on tablets, watching television or playing video games. For now, parents can be a bit more lenient and understanding about how technology can fill the

void created by social distancing.

• Participate in a scavenger hunt.

Join or organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Walk around the neighborhood looking for school mascot pictures in windows or rainbows on doors, advise the childcare experts at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This activity can maintain a sense of connection with your community.

• Create time for physical activity.

Exercise can tame stress, improve mood and be great for the body in myriad ways. Children and teens should exercise each day. Families can exercise together to make physical activity more fun.

• Set new goals. Ask everyone to do their part to complete “to-do” lists or make a set of goals to achieve while social distancing. Checking off items on the list as they’re completed can give everyone a sense of accomplishment.

Children may need a morale boost while practicing social distancing, and parents can help in various ways.

BACK TO SCHOOL | SEPTEMBER 2020 |9

Simple ways to encourage young artists at home

No two students are the same.

Some students may love to read and naturally gravitate toward English class, while others may be fascinated by the world around them and find nothing stokes their academic passions quite like the study of physics.

A passion for a given subject can make students more excited about school. But what about students with a passion for art?

In this time of social distancing and remote learning, parents may need to take a more active role in support of their children’s passion for art. The following are some ways parents can encourage that passion.

Recognize the educational value of art PBS notes that creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development. While schools

may be shifting their focus to common core subjects like mathematics, parents should recognize that art can be incredibly valuable to young minds as well.

For example, art can help young children develop language skills, as creating art projects, even while just a toddler, often compels children to talk about their art.

In addition, a recent report from wards that art education provides.

Americans for the Arts found that art education strengthens prob- Allow children the freedom to create lem-solving and critical-thinking While technique is important skills. If parents recognize the value of art, students are more likely for artists, young artists can bento follow suit and reap all the re- efit from some space. Other sub-

jects are necessarily structured, but art sessions can be a great time for kids to simply explore their creativity without much interference from parents or educators.

A designated room for arts, including arts and crafts, can illustrate to children that their interest in the arts is important and worthy of exploration.

enrolling them in local art classes and keeping them well-stocked with art supplies. Even if the supplies are as simple as crayons and construction paper, their availability can send kids the message that their passion for art is not taken lightly.

Keep supplies well-stocked Much like parents of young athletes enroll them in sports leagues or purchase the latest equipment, parents of children with a passion for art can indulge that passion by

The arts can benefit students in myriad ways. If local school districts currently are unable to offer art programs, it’s up to parents to find ways to encourage their children’s love of art. — Metro

Sign up for online programs It may be possible to sign students up for classes and clubs online to promote the learning of visual and performing arts. Classes held via online platforms can help students connect with world-class educators and like-minded students.

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Dr. Chad Clement

10| SEPTEMBER 2020 | BACK TO SCHOOL

Benefits of a new approach to learning The validity of the adage “necessity is the mother of invention� has been on full display during the COVID-19 outbreak. People had to learn to adapt to a new way of life, including an educational system that was transformed dramatically by social distancing guidelines.

More than 76 million students are enrolled in United States schools, per the latest Census Bureau information.

In a matter of days, millions of students who once attended classes in-person were forced to transition to virtual learning instruction. The process showed just how flexible learning systems can be, and how virtual instruction may become more than an emergency protocol in the future.

Schools utilized systems like Google Classroom, Canvas and virtual meeting apps to connect and learn. While in-class lessons provide the socialization and one-on-one

interaction that can be vital for students’ academic success, there are many different reasons why virtual instruction can be a key component of learning models as well.

When virtual learning is used in conjunction with traditional teaching, students may have a more well-rounded experience. Here are some potential benefits that may unfold as more data is collected: • Pace: Virtual learning affords students the chance to work on lessons at a pace that fits their individual needs.

Students can go back and reread or re-work problems until they’re satisfied they have learned their lesson. Lessons can be slowed down or sped up depending on proficiency, creating a customized educational experience. • No more weather days.

Many school districts include snow or extreme weather days into their calendars, adding on extra days at the end of school year to meet the specified number of educational days.

Remote learning can take over in these times and keep school

districts from having to pad calendars. • Convenience: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to provide students the best chance to get the amount of sleep they need.

Still, most adolescents currently start school before 8:30 a.m. Remote learning enables students to complete their assignments when it works best for them. This may help them get more sleep, too. • Apps: Learning apps are a new wave of educational tools that have helped buoy virtual instruction. Primary school students or those with individual education plans may benefit the most from reinforced app skills that match their learning pace in fun ways.

Virtual home instruction may become a large part of the educational landscape even after it’s no longer a social distancing necessity.

Chad E. Clement — Bright Beginnings Preschool Bright Beginnings, 2100 art, music geography, math, Your dentist for any age Spruce St. at New Life Lu- science, reading readiness,

Welcome to Chad E. Clement, DDS, PC, your local Florence dentist office. We’re a family-friendly practice that provides comprehensive dental care to this community. Take a virtual tour of our office at www.myflorencedds. com.

We enjoy working with patients of all ages! From guiding a child through his or her very first dental appointment to helping adults makeover and restore their smile, it’s our pleasure to look after your whole family. We have special amenities for all ages, including pillows, blankets, WiFi and kid-friendly toys

so everyone can feel a little more at home.

To make things even easier, we offer block scheduling, which saves you time and minimizes the number of trips to the dentist you have to make. With this option, you can book back-to-back or same-time appointments for you, your spouse and your kids. Come into the office one time and the whole gang will leave with happy, refreshed smiles.

Chad E. Clement is located at 1256 Bay St.. For more info, call 541-997-3423 or visit www.myflorencedds. com.

theran Church., is a nonprofit Christian preschool founded in 2008.

It upholds the philosophy that early childhood is a time of warmth, security, exploration and kindergarten readiness. Bright Beginnings promotes the importance of learning social skills, teamwork, emotional awareness, kindness and respect for others. We offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum aimed at preparing each student for success in kindergarten.

The Bright Beginnings daily schedule includes: circle time, free play, language, story time,

P.E., Bible stories and lessons, computer time, multi-cultural learning and sensory play.

Parents can choose from Monday, Wednesday, Friday class, 8 a.m. to noon, or Tuesday, Thursday class, 8 a.m. to noon.

Bright Beginnings also offers a Monday through Friday option from 8 a.m. to noon.

The preschool currently has openings. Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 8.

For more information, call or text 541-999-0783 or email bbcpre@yahoo.com.

Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public corporation.

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Cyber safety is important for every grade Hunt Family Dentistry

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BACK TO SCHOOL | SEPTEMBER 2020 |11

eople rely on the internet every day. In recent months, reliance on digital echnology was pushed even urther as social distancing measures had the world gong online for school and ork and to maintain relaonships with friends and amily.

A 2018 report from Pew esearch Center indicated hat nearly 25 percent of oung adults in America reorted being online almost onstantly. Common Sense Media says teens spend

an average of nine hours a day online, compared to roughly six hours for those between the ages eight and 12 and 50 minutes for kids younger than eight.

Students must exercise caution when spending time online. Connectivity can be empowering, but it also puts students at risk from others and even their own, sometimes irresponsible behaviors. Staying safe online should remain a priority for students who must spend more time on the internet and using digital education tools. These are some tips for maintaining cyber safety.

• Exercise caution when sharing information like your name, address, phone

LANE FLORENCE CENTER

CONTINUING E D U C AT I O N

FALL 2020

REGISTRATION OPENS SEPT 8 CLASSES START SEPT 29 REGISTER AT LANECC.EDU/CE

REMOTE LEARNING: TURN ANY SPACE INTO A CLASSROOM!

number and other personal data online. Check with a trusted parent or teacher before sharing private data.

• Report any online activity that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared or confused, whether it is directed at you or a classmate.

• Think carefully before you post comments online.

Data remains online indefinitely, and your words and actions today can greatly affect your future.

• Respect others online by refraining from demeaning or bullying comments.

• Do not try to get around firewalls and blocked websites set up by school administrators. These limitations are there for your protection.

• Stick to school-sanctioned assignments and internet browsing when using school-issued devices.

Administrators may have the right to monitor student activity without students’ knowledge and you can easily get yourself in trouble.

• It is easy to hide or fake one’s identity on the internet, so never take someone you meet or speak with online at face value. Never meet up with someone you do not know or only met online.

• Talk to your parents or educators about extortion and ransomware that tries to trick you into providing payment in some shape or form to prevent a perpetrator from releasing private information about you, advises the Readiness and Emergency for Schools Technical Assistance Center.

Various steps can be taken to promote cyber safety among students, parents and administrators.

Hunt Family Dentistry has been taking care of residents in the Florence/ Mapleton area since 1952.

Our goal is to provide the best quality dental care while keeping our patients comfortable and pain-free We believe you the patient should be the one to make important decisions about your teeth and health. At Hunt Family Dentistry we always take the time to present all your options in an easy to understand way. This allows you to choose what treatment best fits you.

We are always available to answer any questions you might have.

Our number one priority is always you, the patient. We understand

patients are fearful of the dentist due to poor previous experiences or stories they may have heard. Our team is focused on your specific needs to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. After appointments patients often tell us how their anxiety has vanished for upcoming appointments. See what our patients have to say on the testimonial page.

Hunt Family Dentistry is located at 950 Ninth St. in Florence. Explore the website www.huntfamilydentistry.com to learn more about us and what we do. Our friendly dedicated staff would love to meet you.

For more information, call 541- 997-7181.

Dear Students, Families, and Friends, We would like to update you on what is going on at Shoreline Christian School!

While there is much uncertainty in the world today, we want you to know that we are committed to providing the most normal, in-person educational experience possible for our students this fall and the coming 2021 school year. While there are guidelines from the Oregon Department of Education that we must follow regarding COVID-19 safety protocols, because we are a small school we are much more flexible and able to adapt than the public system.

Our current plan (which is subject to change) is to have students for grades 1 through 3 in the classroom, while grades 4 through 8 will be distance learning, until the metrics improve. We have developed our “Operational Blueprint,” which is required by the Oregon Department of Education, to ensure that we have thorough plans to comply with the new guidelines to protect our students and their families from COVID-19. You may view this document on our website at www.shorelineflorence. org.

In other exciting news, we have a new teacher! Mrs. Sara Lasu recently arrived to start getting ready for the fast approaching start of school. We are very excited for her to be here, and we are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for Shoreline Christian School this upcoming year!

School starts September 14. If you would like an enrollment packet, Sara Lasu or just more information, please contact us using the information below. Please note that space is limited!

We hope that you are having a wonderful, safe summer and look forward to seeing and meeting you all this fall!

Shoreline Christian School 4445 Highway 101, PO Box 3000, Florence, OR 97439 • (541) 997-5909 shorelineflorence@gmail.com • www.shorelineflorence.org www.facebook.com/ShorelineChristianSchoolFlorence

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