×

Wood County teachers work on instructional packets

Lessons will be sent home during statewide shutdown

Teacher Beth Trimble sorts through papers Tuesday at Blennerhassett Middle School. Teachers are compiling learning packets which will be sent home later this week for all students to continue lessons while schools are closed due to coronavirus. (Photo by Michael Erb)

PARKERSBURG — As Wood County Schools continues to disinfect buildings and prepare take-home meals for students, teachers are preparing instructional packets to be distributed later this week.

The packets will contain grade-specific lessons for students to help them continue learning at home, said Christie Willis, director of curriculum and instruction for Wood County Schools.

“The packets are a week’s worth of work and are meant to reteach, maintain and enrich learning,” Wilis said. “The idea is the students receive the packets, do the work and a week later either drop them off at the school, or if there are buses delivering food they can send them back with the bus. We’re also asking the teachers to have a digital form where students can access it.”

Blennerhassett Middle School Principal Melanie Arthur said most teachers continue to work remotely, but some have come to the school to help prepare informational packets.

“They are gathering the resources they want in their packets, each teacher for their subject area is coming up with resources and worksheets for each student to do and directions and we will compile all of that into grade-level packets,” she said. “Each will have a cover sheet so students know which teacher it’s from and contact information.”

Custodian Sean Stutler cleans tables Tuesday in the Blennerhassett Middle School cafeteria. Schools throughout the region and nation are shut down to help slow or prevent the spread of coronavirus. (Photo by Michael Erb)

The information also will be shared online through LiveGrades and Office360, she said.

Arthur said the school was sending out surveys to parents Tuesday to determine how many homes have online access and which families would prefer paper versus electronic packets.

Willis said the district has created a web page at https://wcsinnovate.com/learnathome/ for families and will continue to offer updates and information through the Wood County Schools and Wood County Schools Curriculum Department Facebook pages.

“The teachers have been very innovative. They’re thinking about how to best connect with the students during this time,” Willis said. “Everyone has pulled together to make the best of the situation.”

If parents have questions or need help with the packet activities, they are encouraged to call their schools during normal business hours, Willis said.

Packed lunch and breakfast meals wait to be distributed to students Tuesday at Blennerhassett Middle School. Schools throughout the county will continue to serve meals for students during the shutdown. (Photo by Michael Erb)

Meanwhile, schools throughout the county continue to prepare and distribute meals. Blennerhassett Middle School increased its number of prepared meals Tuesday from 100 to 130. A planned staff meeting was canceled after the federal government dropped recommended gatherings from 50 to 10 or less.

Custodial crews continued to disinfect surfaces and clean equipment. Staff reporting to the schools had their temperature taken to make sure they did not show symptoms of coronavirus and the buildings were closed to non-staff visitors.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today