Author's posts
Apr 29
Practical suggestions for keeping secondary students connected during COVID-19
“STUDENTS WHO FEEL
CONNECTED TO SCHOOL…
• Have an adult in school, who they
believe knows about them and cares
about them as an individual
• Have a group of peers they interact
with and feel affinity with as a group
– i.e. sports teams, theater crews, clubs,
identity groups, circle of friends” Robert Balfanz, Johns Hopkins
Apr 28
In a time of distance learning, focus on health and meaningful connections
“Targeted and quality outreach toward students and families, particularly those facing economic, health and academic hardships, will lead to more engagement in the shift to distance learning. “You want to make sure your families feel supported, not bothered, in a time of crisis,” Hedy Chang, Attendance Works
Apr 27
Chronic absenteeism in the time of coronavirus
“Missing school takes a toll on academic achievement, especially for disadvantaged students.”
Apr 26
Responsive Circles for COVID-19
“the restorative questions card can really be helpful for a teacher or anyone else who wants to organize a responsive talking circle – assuredly a virtual circle – using a tool like Zoom or Google Hangouts.”
Apr 25
From virtual counseling to wellness apps, school districts are increasingly turning to “telehealth” to meet students’ mental health needs during the pandemic.
“Regular touchpoints like online check-ins can also help ensure kids are tethered to the school community and aren’t slipping through the cracks, say educators and counselors “
Apr 23
When students drop out of online learning amid the pandemic, teachers worry they may never come back
“Many teachers … are doing their best to maintain relationships from afar with students who depended on seeing them every morning. “
Apr 22
Measuring online student engagement or taking attendance? Is it worth it?
“Virtual schools that have quantified attendance as “one interaction per week” fall well short of ensuring students are engaged,.”
Apr 22
Teachers, If You’re Not OK Right Now, You’re Not Alone: one teacher’s account of dealing with teaching from home during the pandemic
“As uncomfortable as it feels, I am slowly starting to accept that I have no choice but to sit in this moment with my students. There are no clear solutions or quick fixes. I can’t minimize the gravity of this unprecedented crisis for them or myself. For now, the best I can do for my students and myself is to accept that right now, it’s OK to not be OK.” Lory Walker Peroff