Indian Creek schooling in the ‘new normal’

WINTERSVILLE -- Indian Creek students and staff are settling into what is being considered "the new normal" since COVID-19 disrupted in-school education last spring.

Delays were prompted by the coronavirus and a lack of cool temperatures in the Wintersville buildings with the summer heat, but classes finally resumed this month for about 1,500 students who chose to attend in person while another 500 opted to learn remotely. Still, school officials said they welcomed the opportunity to be back together.

The district operates under guidelines in cooperation with the Jefferson County Health Department with color levels to denote risks.

Face-to-face instruction with an online option is offered if the county is categorized as Level 1 or 2, or yellow and orange. A hybrid model is enacted at Level 3, or red, where only 50 percent will attend a school building while providing a combination of in-person and online learning. All students attend in person two days per week and three days on alternating weeks, while they would also work at home on assignments or tasks assigned during the in-person days. Should the county reach Level 4, or purple, the district will fully transition to remote learning. Protocols also were enacted at each building with temperature checks, face masks and an abundance of handwashing and hand sanitizing as well as social distancing.

Additionally, all of the sites have been contending with construction, renovation and parking lot projects but the work has not hindered operations. A new high school will be situated near Kettlewell Memorial Stadium with further construction of Cross Creek Elementary on Bantam Ridge Road and extensive renovations at Hills. ICMS also has been undergoing a corrective parking lot project that should wrap up soon. Despite the changes, officials agreed that the students have acclimated themselves rather well.

Indian Creek High School Principal Louie Retton said he was proud of how the students have shouldered the challenge.

"I'm proud of the kids for how they have handled the changes and the new normal they had to come into. Everyone is putting in the time to learn the new system and I feel like it's going to become second nature," he explained.

Teachers and staff were also credited with the preparations they made from moving from the classroom to online last spring, as well as the adjustments to return this year. Officials said they went the extra mile to ensure the transition went smoothly.

ICHS Assistant Principal Keith Swearingen added that foot traffic was altered in the building with floor markers to enforce social distancing, desk dividers, spacing in the cafeteria and temperature checks through scanners and hand-held digital devices. Students also bring their own water bottles and custodians regularly clean and sanitize the site, plus students wipe down their desks after every class. Pupils in class and those working online receive the same curriculum and Swearingen said everyone is adapting to the best of their ability.

"The students did exactly what we wanted them to do. We changed it a lot, but I think they are just so happy to be back and be with their friends, their teachers and in sports. They wanted some kind of normalcy," Swearingen said.

Indian Creek Middle School Principal Holly Minch-Hick appreciated everyone's positive attitude, adding that students have adhered to rules and demonstrated a tremendous amount of self-discipline.

"I'm so proud of our school community," she said. "Everyone is doing their part."

In addition to the main safety protocols, teachers travel to classrooms instead of students and assigned seating is used in class, the cafeteria and on buses while Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports incentives are also given for social distancing. Meanwhile, students who work remotely have a similar schedule to in-person attendants.

"ICMS teachers have a 'ghost class,' and during that time they physically have no one in the room but are instructing remote learners. All of their coursework is on Google Classroom and students can Zoom during their class time at least three times a week for instruction and to go over content," she explained.

Minch-Hick said that everyone is just excited to be together.

"I think everyone is happy to be back," she said. "I think many of our students felt isolated from their peers during these months. Kids are social beings and missed the everyday opportunities for social interaction."

Wintersville Elementary Principal Nicole McDonald said her building had a positive start and her grade pre-K-4 students have complying with the rules.

"The kids are doing a great job wearing their masks and the teachers to a great job making sure they give mask breaks throughout the day. We have desk shields and the preschool rooms have clear room divider shields, plus we have additional hand sanitizer stations. There are temperature checks at the buses and cars in the morning," she said.

Five teachers instruct all-day remote classes and she said it helps to have a curriculum in place which allows them to stay on the same page as their peers in class.

"Six years ago, we purchased an in-person and online curriculum, so we were already prepared for this. We also have 1-to-1 Chromebook devices and each student will have a device in their own learning pod with desk shields. We've also provided masks, lanyards and water bottles for all of the students," McDonald added.

Hills Elementary Principal Michele Minto said the transition has been a smooth one.

"The kids are doing great. We put Plexiglas on the desks and we're prepared. They are adjusting to all of the changes," Minto said.

Lunch tables are socially distanced with two classes dining at a time while dining space is split between the cafeteria and gymnasium. Most classrooms have sinks for handwashing and sanitizer is readily available. Like other district schools, students benefit from an online curriculum and work with Google Classroom.

For Hills Elementary third-grade teacher Virginia Pawelczyk, bringing everyone together after the period of quarantine could be the best medicine of all.

"They are just happy to be back. When we're here, you see their faces and it makes all of this worth it."