District administrator's cornert

by Loren Glasbrenner,  River Valley School District Administrator  A recent Time magazine article by Belinda Nuscombe analyzed social structures in America and clearly stated that the “re-entry into polite society (after being isolated during the pandemic) is proving to be a little bumpy.”   Re-entry into the society of schools has been hard work, too. Kids have had to adjust to norms of working together and being in-person, rather than virtual.  Teachers have carved out designated time to reteach behavioral expectations and remind students that the social and emotional health of our schools is important to their learning.   There have been recent studies of schools that integrate social, emotional, and cognitive development together.  When all three are integrated and recognized, it often leads to academic benefits, fewer behavioral problems and building better community members after the students leave school. (https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-does-the-research-say/).   Nurturing students and integrating learning matters.  When our schools were thrust into virtual learning environments, the face to face contact and support was missed.  I asked students this week at River Valley Middle School, “Are you happy to be back in-person?”  They had a lot to say about the virtual vs. in-person modes of learning.  Here are some of their responses: • “Yes, I can see my friends.” • “It was easier to put off work at home.  Being here is better.”  • “I didn’t like being at home.  I would get headaches from too much screen time.” • “Being at school is better.  I was very distracted at home.” • “School is better.  It was a lot harder to turn something in on the virtual platform.”  • “Internet problems can happen.”  • “Many kids just played video games and didn’t pay attention.”  • “Here at school I can see my friends.  I was really frustrated at home being so closed up.  It was really hard to talk to people.  I actually didn’t know how to communicate anymore.  I felt alone.”  • “The in-person school is way easier, especially for math.  I can ask questions and stay focused in class.”  • “It was harder to get stuff done and get help.  I am glad we are here.”  • “It was a lot harder when we had to stare at a screen all day.”  The River Valley School District is extremely happy to offer in-person schooling for students.  It is great to hear that the students appreciate the opportunities we offer.  And, we are more than happy to pause and take the time to readjust.  We recognize that we are all learning how to re-enter society.  As a community, we may need to carve out a little time to reset how we do things.  Once again, I am reminded—maybe we just need to listen to them more often.