Remote learning could make snow days a thing of the past for some Maine schools
The pandemic has forced schools to make virtual learning the new norm. Officials say it provides great flexibility. Author: Zach Blanchard (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 8:39 PM EST February 1, 2021 Updated: 4:21 AM EST February 2, 2021
WESTBROOK, Maine With a nor easter bearing down on the state, school officials are looking to make the call for a snow day in a different way.
Remote learning through the pandemic has given teachers and students the tools necessary to have class from home regardless of the weather, and more and more superintendents in the state are seeing a viable option.
Dozens of Maine schools now using COVID rapid tests for students and staff
The Maine CDC has distributed more than 4,000 rapid tests to K-12 schools since early November.
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William H. Rowe School nurse Jill Webber in her office in Yarmouth on Friday. The Yarmouth schools have received 160 rapid tests. Webber said the rapid tests help the schools immensely, and wishes she had more. “The efficiency and speed at which we can do the testing is going to reduce transmission in schools and the community,” she said.
Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
Nearly 50 Maine schools and school districts are now using rapid-result coronavirus tests on symptomatic students and staff to quickly identify positive cases and to improve the contact tracing and quarantine process.
Maine superintendents urge students, staff to enjoy snow day Share Updated: 8:03 AM EST Dec 17, 2020
Maine superintendents urge students, staff to enjoy snow day Share Updated: 8:03 AM EST Dec 17, 2020
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Show Transcript ALL HAVE THE áCHOICE OF WHAT TO DO - CANCEL SCHOOL FOR THE DAY. OR. CONTINUING LEARNING ONLINE. HERE S WHAT A FEW. HAVE DECIDED ON DURING A YEAR THAT S LOOKED SO DIFFERENT FOR STUDENTS. SUPERINTENDENT JEREMY RAY OF BIDDEFORD SAID.. THEY WANTED TO KEEP ONE THING THE SAME. 54- WE VE DECIDED THAT WE WILL HAVE STORM DAYS AS REGULAR RAY WHICH MEANS A SNOW DAY. áALSO MEANS. NO REMOTE LEARNING. 2:20-2:41 I THINK IT S OUR FEELING THAT WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SUCCESSES WITH REMOTE INSTRUCTION THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT IT MISSES AND FOR OUR STUDENTS ON A DAY OFF WE WANT THEM TO BE ACTIVE, TO BE OUTSIDE, AND NOT IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER SCREEN OR COMPLETING PAPER PACKETS RAY LISBON SCHOOLS IS TAKING A SIMILAR APPROACH