Superintendent Audio Update: 03-17-2020
On the eve of the start of remote learning in the district, Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter provided an update on preparations and expectations.
District staff has participated in staff development, webinars and meetings in order to get ready for this new phase. “We have made a significant investment in both hardware and software,” said Hochreiter, “and we are about to put it all to good use.”
Admitting that this change is anxiety-producing, the superintendent emphasized that the district is ready. “Our goal is to provide resources and learning opportunities to keep students engaged in meaningful ways,” he said.
Some of today’s developments included:
The district’s food service provided more than 80 meals (breakfast and lunch) to students in need.
Staff from all five schools handed out more than 400 pieces of technology, preloaded with necessary software, to students who needed them.
Staff have been in the schools all day, getting ready for what life will look like the next few weeks.
Hochreiter also discussed expectations, noting the district isn’t a university or a private school that normally uses online learning. “It’s going to be stressful and it isn’t a replacement for face-to-face instruction,” he said. “It’s a valid tool that will help us get through this situation, allowing our students to remain engaged.”
He stressed that the expectation is not that students sit in front of their computers for seven straight hours, but it is expected that they take their assignments seriously.
“We will continue to work with our teachers to ensure that we provide very meaningful online school work for our students, and hope that our efforts take some tension off of our families,” he said.
Click here to listen to the audio update.