Students’ work will be graded, with ‘compassion and grace’

Posted on April 10, 2020

After a few stumbles in making the correct technical connections, the Taylor County School Board’s first virtual meeting went relatively smooth Tuesday, with administrators reporting few changes in the district’s “distance learning” efforts.

Principals said packet distribution for students continues though both pick services at the various schools and bus route deliveries.

“As we moving into Phase II, the packets contain work that is based on the standards we would be teaching if students were in class. They are getting a 12-day work packet,” Taylor County Primary School Principal Kelli Brannen said.

Taylor County Elementary School Principal Sabrina Lytle said workbooks were being distributed to students this week and that a drop-off box would be placed in front of the school for parents to return completed work.

She also noted that the site has seen the distribution of 250-300 lunches for students per day.

History, math, science and English are the focus of assignments being distributed to high school students, Principal Heather McCoy said.

“We will have collection bins in front of the school. We’ll take out the completed paperwork, scan it and email it to teachers in order to limit contact,” she noted.

Taylor County Middle School and Steinhatchee School are also both continuing with the packet distribution schedules already in place.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Danny Glover Jr. asked parents and the community for “continued compassion and grace. I’ve heard from some that they are overwhelmed when it comes to work assignments and from others that we aren’t doing enough. We are just asking that parents do the best they can. Everybody is going to be fine as long as they try. The concern is for those who absolutely refuse to do anything. Based on the work given to students, it should take an hour-and-a-half to three hours maximum of computer work daily.”

Regarding grading the students’ work, Glover said, “Teachers will take grades weekly and will award letter grades with grace and compassion. All students do not work on the same level, so grades will be given with full consideration for the learning level of each individual student.”

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