The new high school life: Sparks High School principal gives insight into new changes that have occurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
New curriculums added to student's education.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has transformed high school life during the 2020 academic school year for students, teachers, and families
At Sparks High School in Sparks, Nevada a number of changes have occurred: three new learning modules have been employed, the classrooms have been reconfigured to have students keep a six feet distance, and clubs, sports events, and assemblies have been eliminated for the year.
Principal Kevin Carroll described how his school has handled the pandemic:
Q: How has the learning environment changed due to COVID-19 Pandemic?
A: It changed drastically. When we went to shutdown and shelter in March, the school district really had the policy no harm. A student’s grades could not be lowered due to the pandemic, they could only move up. Being on three different learning models, where we have a student full distance, then a hybrid: group A kids come one day and group B kids come on another; it is nice as we mentioned smaller class sizes. Teachers can work closely, one on one with kids, not physically… and working with students who are not in person that day too. Instruction has definitely changed… it has flipped… you don’t have the “collaboration” you would normally have in person, such as biology lab, Socratic seminar…
Q: How is the classroom set up physically?
A: It kinda looks different across the school. Teachers had a week to set up their classrooms six feet apart… some teachers put their desks actually group of four six feet apart.
And what we did, its kinda of interesting. We obviously didn’t need 30 desks in a building. We took half the desks out and put them down the middle of the hall. We now have one-way traffic on each side with desks blocking it. Doesn’t look the greatest, but keeps kids safe… the bell rings to pass, nobody stops or talks to people. They go straight to class, two in half minutes into it, the halls are completely empty. There’s not a lot of socializing going on.
Q: What difficulties have students faced when it comes to learning?
A: Technology… its huge, its been a huge issue… we want equity. I’ll give you an example, I was in a meeting with a parent and a student one day, last week and they were struggling to find a spot where their internet would work and they couldn’t find one. We had to reschedule a meeting. We been getting devices out, that’s been the biggest barrier, I think right now.
Q: What has occurred to extra-curricular activities?
A: Everything is eliminated right now. As a principal or my admin team, we miss going to the football games, assemblies, soccer or whatever events we would go to…there’s nothing going on after school. Which, you know, its not what we signed up for, we want to be around kids. I love the high school life; the clubs and activities.
Q: What challenges have teachers faced when it comes to teaching in class and online?
A: They are overall trying to figure everything out. To be honest, with smoke days, the biggest thing is there’s no consistency.
Q: Did I miss anything important that you would like to mention?
A: If I was talking to parents or community, I just want them to be reassured we’re following all protocols, we’re given all guidelines to make the school as safe as possible… assure them that’s are number one priority.
For a detailed explanation from the State of Nevada Department of Education and its reopening plans for schools during COVID-19 Pandemic check out this link:
