A Most Unusual Time By Craig Harper, PAGE Executive Director
A
Most Unusual Time” is the theme of this issue of PAGE One. This is an unusual time, indeed, full of anxiety and frustration, as well as an opportunity — unwelcome though it may be — to challenge the status quo in so many ways. Instructional design and methods are changing as you look for ways to prepare for multiple delivery requirements for virtual, in-person, blended, asynchronous and individualized learning. Students and classrooms may be open one day and closed the next. Some students plan to learn from home while others will be onsite. You’re figuring out how to get connected with new students who haven’t yet been to your classroom as you also work to stay connected with those who are there only part-time.
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6 PAGE ONE
Through all of this uncertainty, PAGE is adapting with you — supporting and serving you on the issues that matter to you. You provided invaluable information to direct our advocacy efforts through a survey at the start of the pandemic shutdown in the spring and then again regarding school reopening issues in a follow-up survey in late June and early July. The analysis of your responses guided PAGE in developing recommendations for a phased start to the school year — predicated on a determination of health and safety with low rates of COVID-19 spread — with a later student start date and more time for staff to return to school for safety training and professional learning for virtual learning methods. PAGE staff have contacted superintendents and other district leaders to share employee
August/September 2020
