The monthly meeting of the Red River Parish School Board dealt mostly with preparations the administration is making for getting children back to learning this fall.  Superintendent Alison Hughes stressed, “We have no choice, we have to begin educating the children.”

Hughes said about 600 students so far have opted for virtual learning.  She added, “We have enough Chromebooks to handle the virtual kids.  We ordered more but so is everyone else (other school systems).  I am concerned that parents don’t have the right concept of what virtual instruction will be.”

The form that education will take took most of the meeting.  The school year will operate on a balanced calendar.  Administrators said that means the same number of instruction days, only that the breaks are balanced out.  Students will go back August 31^st and dismiss on June 29, 2021.  The calendar is posted on the school’s website and Facebook pages.

Superintendent Hughes said she has met either in person or virtually with all teachers and staff in preparation for the start of classes.  “I heard some fears, some laughter, and we had good conversations.  Lots of folks went away feeling better about starting the year.”

The RR Bulldogs website is being updated and designed around the virtual learning model.  Hughes said, “Parent resources will be available with a virtual handbook accompanied withy videos.  That is coming next week.”

Board members questioned several angles on how it is all going to work.  Areas of concern are getting lessons out to the students who opt to learn virtually and not come to the classroom.  Board member Valerie Cox asked, “Would the teacher would be streamed live from the classroom.  Member Cleve Miller asked, “Do students asking to be taught virtually have internet and all that goes with it?”  And member Gene Longino asked, “What will they (the children) have?”  There was also concern about students who remain at home having contact with their teachers.

Karen Squires pointed out the “yellow holidays” on the calendar “when we can bring in groups of students to meet with teachers for remedial instruction.”  Squired added, “At other times we will invite the virtual students in to meet their teachers so the teachers can have some contact with them.”  Squired said this would be in small group settings.

Internet access is a major concern.  School officials and teachers continue to call parents to find out what access they have and other information about the way virtual instructions will be delivered to students.

The Superintendent wrapped up the discussion saying the remaining concerns are being addressed.  “Teachers are ready to come back to work,” said Hughes.  She added, “I am very proud of them and they way they are handing getting ready for back to school.  Everything is going well.  We are going to get through this.  Everything will be OK.”

The full school board meeting is archived on the Red River Parish Journal’s Facebook page for your review.