Teachers, administrators and school staffs throughout Illinois — including Zion Elementary School District 6 — were uncertain what to expect in March when Gov. J.B. Pritzker closed the state’s schools because of the coronavirus pandemic.
At the time, District 6 Superintendent Keely Roberts did not know if students would be back in a few weeks, months or in the fall, if then. It was not long before uncertainty clouded plans to start the 2020-2021 school year with students in class, learning virtually or a combination of both.
Roberts said when remote learning started in March, less than 20% of students had school-issued electronic devices. Many had no internet access. Lessons were delivered through paper packets. It was time to start re-imagining education for Zion’s children on a long-term basis.
“We could do something short-term or transformative for public education,” Roberts said. “We had to determine how we could best serve our community and meet everyone’s needs.”
Between May and September, the transformation took place, and the “bricks and clicks” program was created.
District 6 started the current term on Sept. 9 with every family either choosing to put their children in a classroom for the entire school day, or experiencing the same class remotely through a school-issued laptop computer, depending on individual family comfort levels.
As of Wednesday, 1,460 students were learning remotely and 809 were studying in a classroom. Roberts said families can switch from bricks to clicks, or clicks to bricks at any time. Before the year started, buildings had to be transformed, and every student was provided both a computer and internet access.
Using money the district received from the federal CARES Act, Roberts said 2,000 laptops were purchased along with 600 hot spots to allow homes without internet access to connect. They were delivered to students in August.
“For many people in our community, the internet is a discretionary item,” she said. “They rely on us to education our children. Some rely on us to be open, so they can go to work and earn income to support their families.”
Though some students are remote and others in the building, Roberts said each room is equipped with a camera so students at home come into their classroom virtually seeing their students and teacher that way.
When class starts, sixth grade English language arts teacher Julie Gentzen said all students are logged on to their computers watching her on the screen. Some students can look to their left or right and see classmates. Others are at home. Learning is the same.
“The lesson is virtual,” she said. “They are all doing the same activities. It’s been a transition. It can be challenging sometimes. Some middle school students don’t want to turn their camera on.”
Gentzen said students who are in the building raise their hands when they have a question, but often students on their computers use the chat function in which they essentially text a question or comment.
“They really like the chat box,” Gentzen said.
In school, Roberts said everyone wears masks and they are socially distanced. School hours were adjusted to allow time for a deep cleaning after school. Students remain in the same room for the day, even in middle school where there are different teachers for most subjects. Teachers switch. The custodial staff has been expanded.
Gentzen said when the period is over, she goes to another classroom to teach the same material to a different group of children. She starts the day in “her room,” but things change each time the bell rings.
“We’re all supplied a cart,” she said. “It’s a simple cart on wheels. I pack my computer and textbooks. The passing period is for teachers.”
Even physical education takes place in a regular classroom. Gentzen said the gym is not in use now and the teachers have to be creative.
“Everyone has a mat,” she said. “At home they use the carpet.”
The plan has not been without its health issues this term. Roberts said the district is part of a pilot program provided by Abbott through which everyone is tested weekly with results available quickly. The positivity rate among students is 2.95%, and 9.6% for staff.
When there is a positive test, Roberts said the person follows quarantine protocols recommended by the Lake County Health Department. If a student is feeling ill, they go to the nurse’s office where they are tested. If the test is negative, which it usually is, it is quickly known.
Parents have different reasons for selecting bricks or clicks for their youngsters. David Lara, the father of a first grader, said he feels his son learns better when he has the opportunity to interact with other children.
“When he was in e-learning last year, he didn’t do as well as when he was in person,” Lara said. “I work with people, and we follow all the protocols. I felt as long as they follow the protocols, he’d be OK.”
Tiquella Watson, the mother of a second grader, a sixth grade student and a high school freshman, said remote learning was the right answer for her family. Until late October, they were living in Chicago because her high school son was hospitalized after a severe asthma attack. They all wanted to be together near the hospital.
“They were able to learn everything from home,” Watson said. “Now we’re back in Zion, but I feel this is the safe way to go.”
Roberts said the program has worked because of the team effort of administrators, teachers, staff and the families.
“We did it by all working together,” she said.
Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter.
