The Rotary Club of Traverse City continued its virtual meeting on this Cinco de Mayo day.
President Homer began the meeting and Kathy rang our ceremonial meeting bell with a resounding “tink”. Rotarians joined in with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ramona Pleva had the Gratitude and Reflection today and couldn’t decide between a Wayne Dyer thought or a Maya Angelou verse so she let the President decide. He chose Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Normally when we meet in person, this is where we sing. (Insert crickets!)
Jamie Lewis Hedges from GOREC gave us an update on what they are doing amidst COVID-19 and connecting with others in meaningful ways. They are providing virtual experiences and digital content that is available on YouTube and their website: https://exploregorec.org/ These virtual outdoor experiences will also be shown on Facebook and Instagram and will feature interviews with other outdoor enthusiasts. Look for their “Bonfire and Brews” segments!!
President Homer reminded us that we have a virtual Happy Hour this Thursday at 5:30 pm. He and his wife Becky participated in Trivia Night and Homer states Becky is the smartest woman he knows and she is so kind-hearted that she shared ALL the right answers with everyone playing trivia! Make sure to catch the next Trivia Night next week. And thanks to Miriam Owsley for coordinating these evenings of virtual fun and fellowship!
Our featured presenter today was proud CMU alumni Jim Pavelka, Interim Superintendent for TCAPS. Here’s a long recap of TCAPS:
In Jim’s 27 years as a superintendent, he has never seen anything like COVID-19 and the impact it has had on education, our community and state. He states that the world of education has changed!
Schools have been officially closed for the 2019-2020 school year since March 13. TCAPS started planning for a potential shutdown three weeks prior to March 13 and was able to have contingency plans in place within 24 hours of the shutdown.
Jim shared that the decisions that were made affected up to 30,000 lives within the district and praised all the partners and organizations that have worked together to make this transition as smooth as possible. The shift to a virtual learning environment was impressively implemented in one week. Teachers had to adapt their lessons and get the technology set-up while navigating through their own personal lives. This proved to be a bit of a challenge, but the teachers made it happen.
The current curriculum is not set up for virtual instruction. While 90-95% of families have technology, the school district needed to set up hotspots for internet connections and had a variety of tech issues. For those without home technology, the teachers are creating lesson packets and have it delivered every few days. The challenge is that homework cannot be turned in. The teachers then follow up with phone calls to the students.
Virtual classroom instruction can be a challenge with managing 20-25 students remotely. Keeping students on task can be much more challenging than an in-classroom environment. Some classes like music and labs have had to adapt to online learning in unique ways. It can be done, but it’s definitely not the same as in-person instruction. The virtual classroom may even replace the coveted snow days in the future!
Many families rely on school meals for their children. Through the dedicated staff at TCAPS, over 90,000 meals have been served to these families. Bus drivers deliver meals to students as well.
Graduation has been disrupted. How the pandemic evolves will determine how the district will honor graduating seniors. Traditionally the graduation ceremonies for TC Central and West are held separately at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Interlochen has been flexible with a contingency plan. With 300-400 students graduating at each ceremony, precautions need to be taken. They are working with the Health Department Director to develop the best course of action.
In the Fall, assessments will need to be made in regards to students having enough knowledge for their grade and remedial classes will be offered if needed.
Moving forward to the 2020-2021 school year there are three possible scenarios for education. One is to return to the traditional school model, the second is a virtual learning environment with some changes. The third would be the most complicated and that would be to split students up where half come to school on one day, and the other half come the next. There are many external variables to consider. It may be that in a few years, there could be more of a college format for classes, especially for juniors and seniors.
Jim praised the school board saying that they have presented him with guidance and expectations yet are flexible on providing him what he needs to do the job that is necessary at this time.
Overall the state budget for education is “not good”. Billions of dollars have been lost. The district has been working for the last six weeks on the budget and have different scenarios developed based on a variety of state funding situations. Jim stated that the “district is in a good state”.
When asked if expenses for the district are decreasing with virtual learning right now, Jim said they are saving money with utilities and bus gas and can carry that into next year’s budget. Teachers are budgeted through mid-June.
The search for a new superintendent has been narrowed to two candidates. Dr. Denise Hermann from Roseville, CA and Dr. John Van Wagoner from Alpena are the two finalists. Jim stated that based on what he has seen around the state, they are both superior candidates.
So that’s it in a nutshell! Join us next week for another edition of “Rotary Gone Virtual”.