A quarter of BEA students don’t have internet access. Here’s how remote learning will take place
Scheduled to launch next week, the Bald Eagle Area School District has developed a remote learning plan accessible to all students — even those without access to internet.
District parents and guardians received a letter from BEA Interim Superintendent Joseph Clapper on Wednesday, outlining how the district’s education plan will operate for students in grades 6-12 while Pennsylvania schools are closed due to the coronavirus. Following guidelines issued by the state Department of Education, BEA will launch mandatory planned instruction on Monday.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday that schools in Pennsylvania will remain closed for the rest of the academic school year.
Through a phone survey, BEA found that at least 20-25% of students are without reliable internet access. Because not every home has access to broadband, the district designed the program to accommodate all students.
The plan will cover the fourth and final marking period of the 2019-20 school year.
“These past few weeks have not been easy for anyone,” Clapper wrote. “We are here to support students and you through this challenging time.”
Teachers will provide 20-minute online classes Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with office hours occurring every Wednesday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Format of instruction will vary, depending on whether students’ have internet access.
All middle and high school teachers will post class content — assignments, instructions and videos — to their Google Classrooms. Prior to instruction, students will be given their class code to join. Assignments will be submitted for teacher feedback and grading.
Teachers may opt to tape 20 minute lessons, hold live Zoom classes or use a mix of both throughout the week.
“Please do not worry if your child cannot attend a live class session being offered,” Clapper wrote. “All Zoom sessions will be taped and placed on Google Classroom for your child to access at a more convenient time.”
BEA has provided Chromebooks to students without internet access. Lessons and assignments posted to Google Classrooms may be downloaded anytime after noon on Friday the week before. The laptops are configured to connect to the exterior WiFi near the main entrance of BEA middle and high schools, Howard Elementary and Mountaintop Elementary. Connections may also be established at the rear staff parking lot at Port Matilda Elementary.
The district enhanced student Chromebooks to include access to a graphing calculator, camera, filtering software and the ability to access documents while offline and unconnected to WiFi.
For parents who think their child would benefit from having their school-issued Chromebook, BEA asks that they email or text approval@beasd.net with their name, child’s name, grade, homeroom teacher’s name and a contact number. A school representative will arrange a pick-up time.
“As with any new educational implementation, there will be problems and concerns along the way,” Clapper said. “We ask for your patience and understanding as we travel this new territory together. In this journey, there will also be more successes, hope and purpose as well.”
This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 8:37 AM.
