A local parochial school grounded in the tradition of faith is increasingly progressive in their students education. There’s no standing still at Lake Michigan Catholic, especially as the world evolves continually.
In fact, school officials say that when Lake Michigan Catholic students return to school this fall, they’ll notice more than just more space between desks and additional cleaning protocols. LMC is transforming their schools into “live classrooms,” using cameras to stream and record lessons so students can learn anywhere.
LMC Middle/High School Principal James White says, “While we are traditional in our faith, we are progressive in meeting the needs of students.” He adds, “We know there will still be a need for high quality remote learning even after we re-open our buildings, and we want to make sure there are options for every family.”
LMC plans to return to full-time on-campus learning, but with an innovative twist: lessons will be live-streamed for students who wish to follow the schools’ daily schedules from home. Recorded sessions will also be available, which can help students who need to access the materials at a later time. LMC will use Google Classroom as its common teaching and learning platform, and all LMC teachers are receiving extensive instruction in Google G Suite. Teachers will also use supplemental online applications to enhance learning. Middle and high school “live classrooms” will be immediately implemented at the start of the school year, with elementary pilot classes to follow in the second semester.
LMC Elementary Principal Larry Hoskins says, “We recognize that remote learning can present additional challenges for parents, especially those with young children,” adding, “To simplify the logistics of remote learning, we have partnered with Clever, a single sign-on application. Students, specifically at the elementary level, will sign into their Chromebook using a Clever ‘badge’ that automatically takes them to a personal portal. From there, they can easily access Google Classroom and their additional apps on their own.”
All students and staff entering LMC buildings will have daily temperature screenings, and intimate class sizes will allow for social distancing in classrooms. Middle and high school students will carry appropriate PPE such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in their backpacks. High traffic areas will be cleaned throughout the day, and water bottle fill stations are replacing drinking fountains.
White explains, “The changes at LMC are not intended to be temporary bandages during the pandemic,” noting, rather, “Many of the changes in teaching, learning and health safety will be implemented as new best practices at LMC.”
LMC has formed a Return to School task force and specific workstreams to plan for a safe, responsible re-opening. Workstreams – led by school administrators, school board members and external advisors – will address data management and tracking; facilities management; health and safety practices; protective policies; medical screening/testing; readiness and wellbeing; technology; and communications and change management. More information is available at this link:
