How the covid-19 pandemic is affecting mhs
By Sophia Jerome
On Sunday, March 15, Governor Phil Scott ordered the closure of all K-12 schools and school-related activities in Vermont for 3 weeks. Since then, MHS faculty members have been working strenuously to create an all online curriculum plan in a matter of days.
After Scott’s announcement, Monday and Tuesday were decided to be late start days (10 am start compared to the usual 8 am) and were pronounced optional for MHS students. On these days classrooms were filled with about 6 students per class, in comparison to the typical 10 to 25.
The school closure has affected many Montpelier High School students and teachers. The Grease cast and crew had an especially rough weekend after receiving the news on Friday that they would not be able to do their Friday and Saturday shows due to COVID-19. In addition, the spring sports season has been postponed indefinitely and is scheduled to begin on April 6 along with school. On Wednesday morning around 12 pm, students received an email from MHS Principal Renee DeVore with a complete school schedule for the next two weeks, beginning Monday, March 23.
The schedule is nearly identical to MHS’ retake week schedule, focusing on one block (green and white) each day. During each block, teachers will “virtually support” their students by answering questions, and multiple teachers have offered additional communication methods via Skype, FaceTime, and/or Zoom for more face to face interaction.
As far as grading goes, over the next few weeks students will only receive preparedness grades, as a way to track whether or not students are completing their work, which contribute to 20% of their final grade. Students will also be given formatives that have no effect on the students’ final grade at the end of the marking period.
Students who are not able to have meals at home can get a free breakfast and/or lunch every weekday in a take-out service method. There is a drive-through pickup meal service at Montpelier High School from 11:00-12:00 and at Roxbury Village School from 12:30-1:30.
(Sign about COVID-19 on I-89 North / March 14, 2020)
The MRPS school system has made a page on the website dedicated solely to COVID-19 response. You can find that page here and you can find more information about online learning on the MRPS Curriculum and Technology Blog here.
“I assume we are going to be in this for longer than the Governor has put on right now,” said Superintendent Libby Bonesteel at a school board meeting Wednesday evening. The situation is constantly changing as new cases appear and the MRPS community is working very hard to make the situation work for students, parents, and faculty.
(Students’ online schedule as of Wednesday, March 18)
