Connect with us

Uncategorized

In Medford, summer school expands after vulnerable students struggle with distance learning

Published

on

 For Jana Langhoff and her son Tyler, summer days don’t look drastically different from when school was in session.

Tyler, who finished his first-grade year at home like the rest of his Howard Elementary School classmates amid Oregon’s statewide school closure, didn’t thrive while learning from a distance. And the catch-up instruction his school is offering him this summer won’t work much better, since his teacher still must connect with him over a computer instead of face-to-face.

Tyler, 6, had been settling into a routine just before the COVID-19 pandemicbut the ensuing restrictions disrupted that rhythm. If you ask his mother, she’ll tell you Minecraft has been a more effective teaching tool than anything his school offered him.

“I think it’s just not having the teacher there,” Jana Langhoff said. “Getting back in the classroom would be great. I know he’s falling behind.”

It’s that lack of connection that makes online summer school less appealing to the Langhoffs and to some older students as wellCiting the health risks of coronavirus, Howard Elementary’s leadership decided on an online-only model for its first summer school, available to students who need extra help preparing for the next school year.

Students of all ages, from kindergarten through high school, saw their quality of education lessened and academic trajectories slowed this spring, with students in poverty and without stable housing most likely to have lost ground.

But one group of Medford-area students is getting a new palette of summer learning opportunities this year, a positive result of the school closure. The school district’s annual migrant summer school is offering career and technical courses for the first time.

Though COVID-19 precautions continue to affect delivery methods, the summer offerings in Southern Oregon’s largest school district are further-reaching than they’ve ever been, with expanded programming to support students spanning the K-12 system. Multiple schools launched virtual programs to remedy learning loss this summer.

You may also like…

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responds to vehicle fire on I-105 near Mohawk exit

Eugene, OR – On Saturday morning, Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a vehicle fire on I-105 Eastbound near the...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responds to multiple brush, grass, and structure fires across the area

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Springfield Fire Department was busy on Monday, June 16, responding to several fire incidents throughout...

Eugene3 days ago

Eugene Police Department welcomes newest graduates to the force

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department recently welcomed its newest class of police officers, congratulating them on completing their...

Eugene3 days ago

EPD’s chief reflects on peaceful No Kings march and protest in downtown Eugene

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department reported that Saturday’s No Kings march and protest in downtown Eugene proceeded peacefully,...

Crime & Safety6 days ago

Child told police his dad’s wife made inappropriate jokes for a week before the woman made advances toward him and indcently assauIted the boy while his parent worked Iate hours: DA

Florida – According to Florida authorities, a recent court order handed down by Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Timothi says...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Man dies moments after kiIIing his mom following aItercation at their famiIy home, only to be kiIIed by his oIder sibIing who opened fire in seIf-defense after he turned his firearm toward him: police

Alabama – An Alabama woman and her famiIy member were pronounced dead earlier this week following a fataI incident at...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Springfield Fire contains brush fire on Forsythia

Eugene, OR – Just after 9:30 p.m. on June 5, Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded to a brush fire in the...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Springfield Fire quickly contains grass fire near Meadowlark Prairie bike path

Eugene, OR – Just before 6 p.m. on June 7, Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a slow-moving grass fire near...

Eugene1 week ago

City of Eugene begins Broadway sidewalks and paving project to enhance safety and accessibility

Eugene, OR – The City of Eugene has officially launched the Broadway Sidewalks and Paving Project, a two-phase initiative aimed at...

Eugene2 weeks ago

Eugene police update on pedestrian-vehicle crash at W. 11th and Seneca

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department has released new details regarding a pedestrian-vehicle collision that occurred on the evening...

News2 weeks ago

Woman and her 4-year-old were kiIIed by the father of her other child, who said he feared being bIamed while cIaiming a homeIess person shot both victims, then waited hours to call 911: DA

Arizona – A Arizona man was ordered to spend the rest of his naturaI Iife in prison after pIeading guiIty...

Trending