School is closed, but spring break is over for Loveland students

Remote learning will greet LCSD students as they return to studies following their 2020 spring break to find the ‘new normal’

By: Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH  (March 28, 2020) – The Loveland school year will restart Monday, March 30, with a whole new look for students, teachers, staff and administrators.

Officially, all Ohio schools will remain closed until at least April 6, in compliance with Governor Mike DeWine’s order to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Unprecedented is the word heard most often these days in reference to the adjustments we’re all making in our daily routines. In this unprecedented response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Loveland City School District leaders are taking unprecedented measures to implement the planned strategic response for this type of emergency situation.

According to the school calendar, Loveland students were on a scheduled “vacation” March 20-28. It has been no vacation for LCSD Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse, the administrative staff and teachers as they met (remotely) in preparation to begin teaching students remotely.  

“Remote learning starts Monday,” said Crouse.

It was Friday afternoon and Crouse was minute’s away from a live session for final edit on a Q&A to address questions students and parents will likely need answered.  Questions administrators, staff and teachers are trying to anticipate and answer before they are asked.

 “What am I supposed to do Monday morning? How do I get in touch with my teachers? What happens if I have technical difficulties? that sort of thing,” Crouse said. “We’ll have a parent newsletter that goes out with a sort of overview what happened this week and what that plan looks like for next week. That will all be live on our website too.”

There is no way to be sure when Ohio schools will actually be allowed to reopen. The original order to close schools called for a three week closure which would effectively end with schools reopening Monday, April 6. Best guess is that won’t happen, but Ohio Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton had not addressed any official plan for reopening Ohio schools as of their last COVID-19 Update before this writing.

Due to the uncertainty of when school buildings will be open for the return of students, Crouse says remote learning plans are on a one-week at a time basis. At the same time, they are planning for longer term remote learning if, and when, the Governor makes that announcement. School officials would like to see guidance from the Governor on that sooner than later. 

 “The teachers, we’ve all been working with them on how to prepare out,” said Crouse. “We know it’s going to be rough, it’s going to be bumpy.”

They plan to “do a little survey” with the parents at the end of the week. Crouse compared it to a “Goldilocks level” approach. Was it too much? Was it not enough? Was it just right? The survey will help give them a perspective on how things are going.

“Just so we can make adjustments for the following week,” Crouse explained, “in anticipation this might have to go on for the rest of the school year.”

Crouse says LCSD is doing everything possible to keep parents and their students informed throughout the process

 “Our intention is to put out information on Friday,” she said. “I’m going to try to do a high level softer information messaging on Wednesday’s to stay connected and keep in touch with families.”

It is unprecedented, but not an unplanned response. This is a community effort to, not only educate the children of the district, but to truly care for them; for their physical and mental health during this stressful time for all. Crouse expressed thanks to city leaders, Loveland City Manager Dave Kennedy, Mayor Kathy Bailey, Police Chief Dennis Rahe, and LSFD Chief Otto Huber, for their ongoing support, planning and response to ensure Loveland City School District and the community remain safe and functional during this and any emergency response.

“They are meeting regularly,” said Crouse. Eric Dool, Director of Student Services, school psychologist manages mental health is in those meetings with District Nurse Judy Leamy leading a group including NEST, Mike Books, LSFD, and LPD Chief Rahe. “They are meeting once a week, at least, but they are in constant communication.”   

Spring break is over for the students. They’ll be greeted by a remote learning process utilizing things like “Google Classroom”, Blackboard, and other communication technology. Like Crouse said, “it is a moving target.” A lot of planning has already gone into Monday – the first day of remote learning at Loveland Schools. Kids, don’t be late, you are making history in this unprecedented time. Good luck, we are all in this together.

Parents and students stay safe, stay well. Click here to stay informed about remote classroom learning updates on Loveland School website.