STONEWALL, La. The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching announced Wednesday that North DeSoto High School has received $10,000 for its selection as an NIET Founderâs Award finalist.
The school is among four across the country under consideration for the $50,000 grand prize, which will be announced virtually at the NIET National Conference at 10 a.m. March 4.
âNorth DeSoto High School â and the district at large â are a model for developing outstanding teachers and principals dedicated to student achievement,â said Lowell Milken, NIET chairman and founder. âI commend Principal Tammie Phillips and her team for consistently building on their progress to prepare students for success in school and life.â
A New Year begins with school districts struggling with a divisive question: to close classrooms or not to close?
Arizonaâs COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population soared to 121, highest in the country, according to CDC data released Monday, Jan. 4.
As of Dec. 31, Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear and Tolleson were all above 700 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days, with Litchfield Park over 600 new cases per 100,000 in the last seven days.
While previous guidance from public health officials was to close classrooms and have online teaching, officials are now urging districts to teach students in classrooms.
The guidance is somewhat conflicting.
For public schools in the West Valley, the Maricopa County school metrics shows an overall risk level of âsubstantialâ and ârecommended learning scenario is: virtual with onsite support.â
But most classrooms will be closed, as 2021 begins with online learning for most public school students.
âLitchfield Elementary School Districtâs data from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health has skyrocketed. Our kindergarten through eighth grade students will remain in distance learning until further notice,â according to an LESD website pre-break post. âWe will continue to monitor the metrics and will send you another update on Jan. 15.â
At the other LESD, Littleton Elementary School District, âAll students will remain in full-time dynamic distance learning through Jan. 15.â
At Buckeye Elementary School District, âfamilies should plan for continued virtual instruction the week of Jan. 4,â according to a pre-winter break post at the district website.