Dayton School District board report for April

DAYTON—Learning has taken a curious shape in the Dayton School District since brick and mortar schools were shut down on March 17.

The school closures have provided opportunities for teachers and staff who are working from home to provide continuous learning in different and creative ways, and not just distance learning, said Superintendent Doug Johnson, at last week’s board meeting.

“We’re trying to continue educating the students in any manner, shape or form we can between now and when we can return to school,” he said.

Johnson said teachers in the elementary school have been trained in a Google application that allows them to meet with their classroom students, as a whole.

“They talk about how exciting it is, for kids, because they get to see each other and talk with each other a little bit just like when they are at school,” he said.

Teachers began sending activity packets home to students the second week after the school closure was announced, and he is pleased with the efforts of staff, parents, and students.

Students have been supplied with around 75 Google Chromebooks and the District has been working with local internet service providers to make sure all students have access to the Internet.

Johnson said there are only a dozen students not connected to the internet and they are being contacted mainly by phone, along with home visits.

The United Way has donated $3,000 to the Adopt a Bulldog program for the cost of internet connections for the months of April, May and June.

“I’m very thankful for that opportunity,” Johnson said.

High School/Middle School Principal Kristina Brown said, “There’s a lot of good contact and a lot of good things happening between the teachers, students and parents.”

She said the goal is for every teacher to reach out to every student, in each of their classes, at least once a week, through email, by phone, or by sending a learning enrichment activity to them.

The District is currently focusing on math and English, with history and science in the mix, which is accomplished using cross-curricular instructional methods where possible.

Middle school students are spending between two and three hours a day on school work, and high school students are spending three to four hours a day on school work.

Superintendent Johnson said the state has been slow in issuing guidance about grading and attendance.

“The main concept, formulated and supported by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the governor’s office, is that we wish to do no harm to students,” Johnson said.

He said the state legislature and the OSPI have heard from many that it isn’t possible for every student to do an assignment every day in each of their classes.

“Unfortunately, some families lack a kitchen table for students to work at. Some families have multiple children trying to utilize the same computer,” he said.

Johnson said, “In an effort to make sure no harm is done I think there is a tendency to give a lot of flexibility and loosen credit and grading requirements.”

He and the secondary staff are formulating a plan for grading, which could include a pass/fail option.

He said elementary teachers are in the process of mailing out report cards.

Johnson said unless the teacher and parent were talking about having a child repeat a grade before the March 17 school closure, students will advance to the next grade, regardless of how much school work is accomplished before the last day of school, on June 19.

Students will be supported at whatever their level of learning when school resumes in the fall, he said.

Graduating seniors

Johnson said any senior on track to graduate in June, who was passing their classes on March 16, will receive a diploma. Seniors who were not on track to pass a class will receive additional help so they can graduate.

“The question is going to be, of course, when, and how?” Johnson said about graduation.

The traditional prom and senior graduating ceremony will not take place this year, he said.

Middle and High School Principal Brown said seniors and high school staff have been talking about what kind of ceremony is possible in light of the need for social distancing, and they have come up with the idea of some sort of parade.

“We are hopeful that whatever they would like to do, we could do on June 6,” Johnson said.

He said graduating seniors will be excused from attending school following that date.

Scholarship winners will be announced on June 6, as well.

Food service and child care

Johnson said the state is asking that the District to make sure students are eating. Around two hundred students are currently receiving breakfast and lunch each day and will until the last day of school.

Johnson said many people are helping oversee the food program, including kitchen staff, parents, bus drivers, teaching staff, and volunteers.

“This will be challenging for our staff and I am hopeful we can continue to have volunteers step in, and assist,” he said.

No meals will be prepared on Fridays from now on, to provide a break for those working in food service.

Lunches can be picked up from the multipurpose room on Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until noon.

Much has been done recently to improve student access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which are costlier than canned good, he said.

The District is being asked to keep track of the costs, for possible reimbursement from FEMA, or another agency.

“What we do know is our kids are surviving and are well taken care of,” he said.

Johnson said a childcare facility on school grounds is open for the children of health care providers and first responders. Twelve children are enrolled.

“We’re working hard to make sure everybody is safe during this time,” Johnson said.

Facilities

Johnson said a structural engineer, and a representative from Garland Roofing Co., are performing an estimate and scope of the project for the leaky elementary play shed roof. The hope is the roof can be repaired or replaced this summer, or early fall, at the latest. More information will be provided to the board of directors in May.

He said there is also a water leak between the Athletic Complex bathrooms and Athletic Field House, which is under investigation by staff.

Budget

At this time, finances are as planned for the year.

Johnson said the District is working to develop next year’s budget, which will be a challenge because of a 10-percent cut, statewide for schools, is expected.

He said any program other than what the state deems to be basic education could be modified, dropped, or cut altogether.

“We have no way of knowing what the ultimate impact is going to be on the state’s budget,” Johnson said.

Cuts might not be reflected in next year’s budget, but could be implemented next year, and beyond, he said.

He said the District will be writing a “minimalistic” budget and will take every opportunity to save money.