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COMMUNITY | Schools
ARHS student survey shares student perspective of pandemic learning
By Liz Nolan Contributing Writer
NORTHBOROUGH-SOUTHBOROUGH - Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) conducted a student survey Nov. 17-25 to gain insight to what the student learning experiences have been this year. The data resulting from the 643 student responses was shared during the Regional School Committee meeting on Dec. 16. The amount of school work on remote days, teacher/student communication, and satisfaction levels were discussed.
Principal Sean Bevan shared a quote from a freshman student that summarizes the general feeling of students.
“It’s been kind of hard going into high school this way, but I’m okay with it for the most part because we’re in a pandemic—so I guess it’s expected,” the student said.
“There is a sense of understanding that this is not the model they prefer, but within the model that is not the preference, it is working for them,” said Bevan.
Teachers are being resourceful to increase engagement of students, including having virtual speakers. Michael Finkel, author of “The Stranger in the Woods” recently presented to the freshmen English students.
Remote work versus live hours of classes
The survey revealed that the majority of students (58 percent) have between 3-6 hours of schoolwork during remote days. On those remote days, 54 percent responded that they have 1-2 classes with live teaching.
While some kids love livestreamed classes, others prefer the asynchronous work to do at their own pace.
“I know there has been some question about the fact that some teachers are not necessarily providing live instruction while others are,” said School Committee member Chris Covino. “I really do think it is the teacher’s professional judgement that determines whether or not a particular type of content is best taught a certain way.”
The vast majority of student responses rated communication between teachers and students as high.
As expected, some students have gained an appreciation of person-to-person interactions in a typical school day and the 8 a.m. later start time and structure on the all remote Mondays.
Another reflection of students was that they are over tested when in-person. Assistant Principal Tim McDonald said that a lot of assessments are done while students are in school because testing in a secure way remotely is difficult to do.
Other challenges
This year’s lack of predictability, structure and social opportunities found in a typical school year were also noted by students as a challenge.
The Massachusetts Commission of Education recently implemented required structured learning time for school districts. District remote programs must have 40 hours of synchronous learning happening across a two week period; 35 hours for those in a hybrid model.
“The purpose of the standard instructional learning time is to make sure kids are connecting with adults,” said Superintendent Greg Martineau. “I would say we do that well and would argue that yes we do need instructional time requirements, but it is more about… making sure students are connecting to adults in these models.”
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By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter
SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury High School (SHS) junior Nadine Huseby was impressed when she saw a read aloud video during quarantine earlier this year by Daniel Radcliffe. The popular actor, who gained fame as the title character in the Harry Potter franchise, read the first chapter from the first book in the series in the video. “I thought that was a really kind and really exciting thing for him to do because it’s kind of hard to go to the library when we are in quarantine,” Huseby said.
Radcliffe’s video inspired her to develop her own read aloud videos for which she also enlisted peer volunteers to take part in the project. The
Nadine Huseby with two book selections videos were shared with local elementary schools just before Thanksgiving.
Using an iPad and an App called “Explain Everything,” she and her team of 13 classmates were able to record and edit their videos. Book selections included “Brave Ballerina,” “Cece Loves Science,” “Days with Dad,” “Thank You, Omu!” and “The Proudest Blue”.
“I just like reading a lot. It’s always been something that I go to and I enjoy imagining different scenarios…this is one of my passions. Why not see if I can do something fun with it?” Huseby explained.
An idea is born
She thought that since they were in quarantine, kids in elementary school wouldn’t be able to have parent volunteers come into the classroom to read to them the way they did when she was in elementary school.
And this offered a way to enlist her classmates to take part in the project.
“I wanted to create something where my peers in high school could be more active in our community so I felt like this project tied the two together,” she added.
She reached out by email to school principals and included a video prototype.
“Reading aloud with different adults increased my confidence and reinforced the importance of reading every day. These early experiences with literacy also allowed my imagination to grow and sparked my interest in English,” Huseby stated in the email. “I know Shrewsbury Teen | 14
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Westborough High students adapt to hybrid model
By Caroline White Contributing Writer
WESTBOROUGH - Due to the pandemic, many Westborough High School (WHS) students are operating on a hybrid model schedule. These students are split into the Navy and Cardinal Cohorts. Each group goes into school twice a week and has two days of asynchronous learning, with virtual classes every Friday. As confusing as this schedule may sound, the Westborough High students have adapted quickly. Of course, this model has both positive and negative aspects. While it has effectively kept COVID-19 cases in WHS to a minimum so far, the hybrid model is socially and academically challenging, many students said.
“The worst part about the hybrid model is not being able to see all my friends since many of them are in the other cohort,” WHS senior Cole Ellison said.
Ellison is also worried about the possibility of basketball being canceled due to COVID-19.
“This is my final year and I was really looking forward to playing,” he said.
Freshman Cayla Erlich agreed, noting, “I don’t get to see as many people throughout the day and I am separated from a lot of my friends due to the cohorts. The biggest thing I feel like I am missing out on as a freshman is going to football games and other school events. I think those really make the high school experience.”
Aside from the social aspect, being in and out of school is academically challenging.
“With the hybrid model, I am having a hard time finding motivation on my away days. With no one telling me what to do like in class, oftentimes I get lost doing my work and put it off until the last minute,” freshman Abby Fielder shared.
Many students struggle with time management on their remote learning days. After all, kids are used to structure in school, and most students have little experience working through lessons on their own.
Challenging but positive in many ways
Although the hybrid model has been challenging, it has positive aspects as well.
“I definitely feel safer with fewer people in school,” sophomore Casey Bruck commented. that especially now more than ever socialization is so important, and I feel like this sort of virtual reading project could be a really beneficial experience for both the elementary kids and the high school students.”
School administrators grateful for outreach
“When Nadine reached out in September to pitch her idea to the elementary principals, we were hooked. Anytime a student from SHS volunteers in one of our schools, they make an immediate and positive impact on our young students,” remarked Lisa McCubrey, Flo-
A socially distanced WHS classroom.
With only half the student body in school each day, hallways and classrooms aren’t nearly as crowded. ral Street School principal via email. “To click on a link and hear a story read aloud by a ‘real’ person who once sat at their desk in elementary school not that long ago is inspiring for our students. They see themselves in that role as a student mentor.”
Dr. Jane Lizotte, assistant school superintendent added, “These incredible students represent hope, compassion, and generosity. Fred Rogers [aka iconic television star Mr. Rogers] once said, ‘Real strength has to do with helping others.’ His words confirm the strength that our students con-
“I thought that teachers and students working in the hybrid model have been doing a great job with a less than ideal situation,” history teacher Michael Chapman remarked.
“The best part is that we can see how passionate the teachers are about teaching,” junior Emerson Waite said.
The faculty’s dedication and enthusiasm for their jobs has been especially evident this quarter through their resilient efforts to make school as safe and enjoyable as possible.
“I think Westborough High is doing the best they can and I’m happy to be going in part-
Shrewsbury Teen | from page 13
time,” Elrich said. tinue to demonstrate, despite the significant challenges they have experienced throughout the pandemic.”
“We are grateful to Nadine and to her SHS classmates for their work on this project and modeling the joy in reading,” McCubrey noted.
“This is a trial run so if this project continues, like I hope it does, we will probably reach out to other groups of students to get involved,” Huseby said. “I hope that the elementary kids like the videos.”
To watch a video visit www. communityadvocate.com/ huseby.
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COVID-19 uptick forces Marlborough School Committee to move hybrid schedule to Feb. 1
By Vicki Greene Contributing Writer
MARLBOROUGH — The Marlborough School Committee has moved the scheduled Jan. 19 hybrid learning return date for Grades 3 – 12 to Monday, Feb. 1. The Committee will revisit the timetable at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
During their Jan. 12 meeting, the members acknowledged that this is “one of the most difficult decisions” they have ever had to make, and several said they were truly “struggling” with the decision.
Students in Pre-K through Grade 2, special education programs and EL 1 & 2 will continue in-school learning.
February vacation week discussed
The Committee acknowledged that bringing students back on Feb. 1 only allows for one week for each cohort to be in the hybrid learning model before the scheduled February vacation. There has been no decision on any changes to the vacation schedule at this time. Superintendent Michael Bergeron said that changing anything on the approved school calendar may include union negotiations. He added that he was going to speak with teachers and administrators about I don’t want to go out too far (with the hybrid return date) so let’s see how the next two weeks go and we might have a clearer track on the vaccines
Arthur Vigeant
Mayor of Marlborough
the process if it is something that comes up for discussion at the next school committee meeting.
Positive case data for the District
The COVID-19 positive case data in the schools as of Jan. 26 included a total of 57 cases: 18 at Marlborough High School, 11 at 1LT Charles W. Whitcomb School, four cases at the Sgt. Charles J. Jaworek Elementary School, five cases at the Raymond C. Richer Elementary School, eight cases at both the Goodnow Brothers and Francis J. Kane Elementary Schools and three cases at the Early Childhood Center. Many of the positive cases involved students learning remotely so there were not entire classrooms quarantined in all cases, according to Bergeron.
Concerns regarding teacher stress
Bergeron explained that there have been classrooms of students that have had to quarantine more than one time due to positive cases and contact tracing. Teacher Eileen Barry, representing the Marlborough Education Association, reminded the committee that teachers in Pre-K – Grade 2 classrooms have been in school full-time and several have had to go back and forth to remote learning due to classroom quarantine protocols. She added that she wanted to make sure “those teachers were part of the committee’s discussion.”
Mayor’s outlook
“I don’t want to go out too far (with the hybrid return date) so let’s see how the next two weeks go and we might have a clearer track on the vaccines,” Mayor Arthur Vigeant, who is also the School Committee chair, said.
The state’s vaccine rollout plan has all teachers scheduled to receive the first dose of the vaccine in February.
