By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The coronavirus pandemic has created some strange divides between the “haves” and “have nots.”
One of the separations is between people who have little to do because they are furloughed and stuck and home – and those whose workload has been magnified by having to work from home.
Teaching students remotely is one of those jobs that – for most educators – is much more difficult than teaching them in the classroom.
So last week, Bowling Green Board of Education President Ginny Stewart thanked all the “heroes who work in our school district.” During the Zoom school board meeting, she recognized the teachers, administrators, bus drivers and food service workers.
“There’s a sense of pride in what they are doing,” Stewart said.
Last week, in addition to teaching, the elementary staffs made uplifting videos to reconnect with young students.
“There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” though it’s unknown where the end is, Stewart said. “It is these heroes who are lighting our way.”
Also during the meeting, board member Norm Geer said he had heard from teachers about their appreciation of all the support from their principals, other administrators and the technology support.
And board member Bill Clifford commended Superintendent Francis Scruci’s efforts.
“The communication has been outstanding and very consistent,” Clifford said.
Scruci added students and parents to the list of people making the online teaching work.
“We’re going through unprecedented times,” he said.
The announcement by Gov. Mike DeWine that schools would not reconvene in their buildings for the rest of the academic year was not a surprise, Scruci said.
But it puts further strain on seniors.
“Our seniors have lost 11 weeks” of their final year with friends, he said. They lost out on their spring musical, prom, sports and a traditional graduation ceremony.
“I know there are a lot of people who would love to have a graduation ceremony,” Scruci said. “But I’m not prepared to take that risk.”
But the district is planning a non-traditional type of commencement, he said.
“We need to bring closure to this year,” he said. “It will be a unique celebration.”
Scruci sent out a letter to parents and students last week outlining the plans: http://bgindependentmedia.org/bg-schools-trying-to-make-commencement-as-good-as-it-can-be-during-pandemic/
Scruci said the district has worked hard to meet the needs of students and parents. The district will still be meeting the state’s educational hour requirements for all students, he said.
“This is something none of us has faced,” he said. “I’m really proud of what we’ve done as a district.”
