News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White County transitioned from its hybrid schedule Monday to all in-person students returning.
Director of Schools Kurt Dronebargar said car rider traffic and delayed lunch lines were the main issues.
“It is kind of like starting school for the first time again,” Dronebargar said. “So, the traffic lines and a little back up at lunch and that sort of thing. Those things iron themselves out the first few days back to school, but overall, we had a really good day and looking forward to more of them.”
Dronebargar said the mask mandate for the schools proved to be the right choice. While transitioning through classes, Dronebargar said social distancing was impossible, but students complied with the mask requirement.
“That is the thing why we started on the hybrid,” Dronebargar said. “It was just to try and avoid those crowded congested situations, but really, there is no way for us to adhere to social distancing at all times with all of our students in the building. That is why we have the mask mandate. That is why we have seating charts.”
Technological problems for students under fifth grade have also grown. Dronebargar said the school work daily with the online platform to help young students.
“I think we have a good system in place,” Dronebargar said. “But, we are struggling a little bit, especially with the K-5 level. I do not know if there is really a good animal out there for K-5 at home instruction. It still takes an adult to facilitate that.”
Dronebargar said the school system addressed a hand full of students enrolling virtually but not participating. Dronbargar said attendance is not a mass problem, but each student is still required to complete 180 days of six hours of instruction.
About 10 percent of the total school body learns virtually.
