Parents say that support is lacking
There appears to be good news for a portion of Cornwall’s student body. Remote learners will be getting extra help.
During this unusual year, students have been split into two categories. Hybrid learners have received a mixture of at-home and in-school instruction. Remote learners have received all their instruction at home. These youngsters are staying out of the school buildings because of health concerns. The coronavirus presents a greater risk for them or for someone in their household.
It’s been rough going for some of the remote learners who are in a BOCES program. They’ve had a hard time getting the support they need. Two families complained at the September school board meeting, and another parent contacted the Local to cite a shortage of help.
Cornwall Superintendent Terry Dade acknowledges the problem. “The partnership has room for improvement,” he disclosed in an Oct. 2 email. “We are fully committed to continuously work with our parents and students to make sure that they are successful and ready to come back to CCSD in-person when we are given the green light to open fully.”
Mr. Dade referred to meetings with parents and to discussions with Educere and OUBOCES to provide additional support for students. The superintendent listed the following remedial steps:
- Providing additional staff support for families at home
- Creating home-to-school virtual connections (so remote learners have an occasional link to their classmates)
- Offering virtual access to school clubs and activities, which will be starting on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
About eight percent of the district’s total enrollment (close to 250 students) are classified as remote learners. It’s a new program that should improve as educators and parents become more experienced.
