Friday, March 13th was the last day of regular classes at Vinton-Shellsburg for the 2019-2020 school year. In Iowa and around the world news of the COVID-19 virus had become increasingly worrisome when on Sunday, March 15th, Iowa’s Governor Kim Reynolds recommended that schools close until mid-April. What schools would be doing for the remainder of the school year was suddenly up in the air as teachers accustomed to teaching in classrooms were without students
Below we’ve given some examples of how our Difference Makers are making the best out of this situation.
Mrs. Steffen tasked her students to create a video describing what the pandemic has meant to each of them. The catch? The assignment required students to use four words describing what this time in history meant for them. The four words could be combined to make a phrase or could be four separate words that described different dynamics.
Some students, like Sophomore, Brynn P., demonstrated the importance our decisions make on those around us.
Some students grieved for the experiences they collectively lost at the end of this school year.
Raeganne N., Grade 10, used the assignment as an opportunity to be a voice for nursing home residents where she is employed.
Others chose to add a little humor or creativity to their projects by adding music, dance moves, and text. For a collection of student videos, click here.
A couple of other examples of how VSCSD teachers have adapted to the abrupt need for distance learning in our district include:
Our staff went above and beyond any expectations while distance teaching.
To learn more, read the Excel article “Adapting to Distance Learning,” by clicking here.
To read the online version of the publication, “Vinton-Shellsburg – A Place to Excel,” click here.