Visits Begin To Engage Some Putnam Virtual Learners

School principals, counselors, school resources officers and administration staff have begun visiting Putnam County virtual learners who are not participating under the guidelines.

“Remote learners that are not engaging with the teachers, not completing work, not completing assignments and we are asking those students to come back to school,” Director of Schools Corby King said.

King said the visits are about getting an agreement to participate in virtual learning as outlined or make a change. Some 2,300 students are learning remotely this fall.

“There is much more responsibility to that than there was last spring,” School Board Chair Lynn McHenry said. “With that remote learning choice, it’s important that the student get logged in when they should, the parent make sure that the child is keeping up with everything. A lot of responsibility there.”

In one visit late Thursday morning, King said the parent told school officials the student said he had completed all the assignments. The school official asked that the student be part of the discussion. The parent went to wake the student up. The child should have been in virtual school Thursday morning.

“We still are bound by compulsory attendance laws, students have to be in school,” King said.

The system changed its return to school plan Thursday night. Parents will have until September 18 to decide on in-person or virtual learning for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. King said the back and forth has been hard on everyone. At the end of the day, King said it’s about the best education for students.

“Our teachers are taking a lot on, our students and parents need to help,” McHenry said.

In other business, McHenry took over leadership of the school board Thursday night. The Putnam County School Board nominated Lynn McHenry to serve as board chair for the new school year.
McHenry takes over from Dr. Dawn Fry. Kim Cravens will serve as co-chair. The school board recognized Putnam County 911 Assistant Director Brandon Smith with the “I Make A Difference Award” for his efforts during the March tornado and continued work with the school system.

Four system teachers were celebrated for their work on PBS instruction during the COVID outbreak. Autumn Reagan of Algood Elementary, Lindsay Spain and Allison Ledford of Prescott South Elementary, and Sarah Vaughn of Baxter Primary received the awards. Each created 20 videos while also teaching their own students.