In Plymouth, there are over 7,500 students attending public schools, and the goal is to continue to teach those students in school as opposed to remote learning. Kids are wearing masks both in the classroom and on the bus, air filtration systems are active in school buildings, and vaccination clinics have been held with state support.
Bobbi Clark has more:
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Chris Campbell say the morale of the kids is better than it was when the kids were not in school:
“Having students in school, we can support them, again, not just academically, but socially and emotionally—and students are happier. Kids are in school, they’re engaging with their—not only their teachers, but with their friends. They have extra-curricular activities going on. Sports are going on again. Mitigation strategies: we have rules that we have to follow, but we’re keeping schools in session.”
Campbell says that two years ago, when educators were looking for the model…
“…we were going to move in the direction for academically and instructionally, we asked our families, if we had a modified schedule or a remote schedule: would you have child care issues? Over 1300 families said, yes. So, we know that when we close school, not only are we doing harm to kids, but it’s very impactful on the family unit.”
Dr. Campbell has high praise for his staff, and adds:
“I feel confident in saying that overwhelmingly our staff would say, remote learning is not something that they would want to do for an extended period of time, ever again, because they know, as do the students, that the best place to learn is in the classroom.”
