The Dumas School District started their school year with both virtual and in classroom teaching Monday, August 24.
This year for the DSD teachers it will be a challenge between virtual and in classroom teaching to make sure everyone gets the same instruction.
“It's going to be a great year, but a challenging year,” Becky Gilespie, 3rd grade Reed Elementary Teacher said.
This year Gillespie will have 11 in class students and nine virtual students compared to last year's 20 in class students. She has prepared her classroom with plastic crates for backpacks and coats, water bottles, work books and each desk is space 6 feet apart. She also shows her children she cares by giving them happy presents of a pencil box with a scented bracelet, bookmark and pencil.
Both students will use laptops in class and virtually with the virtual students learning through recorded lessons on Google Classroom. Each student is responsible to take care of their laptop.
Virtual students will have to log in at a certain time each day to be counted as present. If the students or parents have any questions regarding the lesson they can speak with the teacher electronically. Group activities will be completed via Google Classroom through slide show and other options available on the program.
“We are just going to monitor and adjust,” Gillespie said.
The new rules of the classroom are to stay 6 feet apart. Purple paw prints and yellow and purple circles are spaced in a hallways and outside walk ways to show the 6 feet apart distance. Water fountains will be replaced with water bottles and filling stations. Students are required to wear mask on the bus and in class and students 3rd grade and under are highly encouraged to wear a mask. The first two weeks are going to be rules and regulations and how to use their computers.
