Groveport Messenger - December 20th, 2020

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Pandemic means adapting new ways of teaching and learning PAGE 8 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - December 20, 2020 By Rick Palsgrove Groveport Editor In the face of adversity, people often adapt and rise to the challenge, as Groveport Madison Schools teachers, administrators, staff, students, and the community are finding creative ways to ensure kids get a solid education during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Because of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, the district returned to a 100 percent remote virtual online learning model in November. School officials anticipate the district will remain in a 100 percent online mode until it has been determined it is safe to a return to in-person classes, hopefully sometime in 2021. “When we moved back to the 100 percent remote learning model on Nov. 16, we indicated we would closely monitor health conditions throughout the holidays and make a determination in mid-January whether it was safe to resume our blended learning model,” said Groveport Madison Superintendent Garilee Ogden. “Virtual online remote instruction is not the most ideal teaching set up, but we do know right now it is the safest way to teach.” Challenges and creativity Ogden said one challenge for students in the 100 percent remote learning model is the limited opportunities for social interactions. “Our teachers have worked hard to find creative solutions to address this concern, but it’s difficult to replicate face-to-face interactions in a virtual world,” said Ogden, who added that a challenge for teachers is providing one-to-one or small group instruction while also providing whole-group instruction. “Students don’t always log-in at designated times for their small group session, which makes it difficult.” Ogden said student attendance and engagement online is high and she is impressed with the creativity of the teachers. “Many new teaching tools have been implemented this year, such as the daily use of Google Classroom daily, Pear Deck, Screencastify, and many others,” said Ogden. “Our hope is that we continue to use these tools to engage students regardless of which learning models we’re in at a given time. We’ve been making many more home visits and personal communication with families, which we plan to continue.” She said the district monitors when students are not logging in. If there are three days of no contact, house visits are made to check on students. “We want to be sure the kids are okay,” said Ogden. Ogden said the teaching and learning aspects of remote learning are going well, but the district also makes sure students’ social and physical needs are being met. She gave the example of an Asbury Elementary teacher who, noting the kids are not getting their normal recess time, created a scavenger hunt that kids can do at home as a form of having recess. “The teacher has the kids go through their homes to find every day items, like an umbrella or a crayon,” said Ogden. “Kids need to have time for fun like this and this is something that can be done safely at home. Plus it gives parents a break.” She noted that students needing things like speech and occupational therapy are still receiving this help online. “We are still giving them the support they need,” said Ogden. Another example of teacher creativity, according to Ogden, is the Mail Time video the high school social studies department puts together to start the day. “It’s done like a news show that the kids can watch where the teachers review the state standards the kids need to know,” said Ogden. “Afterwards the students then log in with their specific teacher.” She said students in laboratory classes use live online demonstrations and simulations. “We also purchased additional software for our related art teams that assist in music performance and physical education,” said Ogden. She said schools hold morning video meetings where kids get information and announcements. “We’re want to make it like a normal school day,” said Ogden. “The amount of creativity and thinking outside the box is amazing. If you told me eight months ago we would have to go to 100 percent remote learning I would’ve questioned it. Now I am amazed by the collaboration and idea sharing. It’s gone beyond what was expected a public school would look like online.” Cruisers with Chromebooks Ogden said a big plus for the district was the support taxpayers provided with the passage of the operating levy in 2014, which enabled the Groveport Madison Board of Education to purchase Chromebook computers for every student. “Without that we could not have made such a smooth transition to remote online learning,” said Ogden. “Other schools had to wait a long while to get the computers they needed. We had them already.” Each student from kindergarten through 12th grade has their own Chromebook computer to use for classes. “We launched our Cruisers with Chromebooks program in 2017, with middle and high school students taking their computers home nightly and over winter and spring breaks,” said Ogden. Another plus was a grant obtained by the district’s technology department to provide hot spot Wi-Fi capability where needed for students to allow them online access. Parents more involved Ogden said a benefit from the remote online learning is that parent engagement has increased from the normal levels found in the traditional learning model. www.columbusmessenger.com “Before the pandemic parents might have to come to school to talk with teachers and that was not always possible,” said Ogden. “Now parents and teachers talk online at convenient times and work to support the children. Attendance at parent/teacher conferences has increased online. Our relationships with parents are better than ever. It’s a partnership to be commended.” She noted one instance where six district staff members were able to meet online with a parent to help a student. “It was an intimate, quick meeting where a plan was swiftly put in place to help the student,” said Ogden. Students’ ability to adapt Ogden said remote online learning is not ideal for all students and that limited faceto-face interactions with classmates may have an impact on students’ social awareness and skills. “Some kids need to be in school. But we have to wait until it is safe to do so. We have worked hard over the past two years on developing students’ (and adults’) awareness of themselves and others,” said Ogden. “We will monitor this area very closely when we are able to return to inperson classes.” When asked if she can see a day in the future when remote learning will be the standard form of instruction rather than using brick and mortar buildings, Ogden said, “We do see there are students who are doing exceptionally well and may prefer a remote learning model for a large percentage or all of their courses. Anything is possible. However, we have also seen the negative impact of 100 percent remote on our students’ social-emotional learning and mental health.” Students’ abilities to adapt to the online learning model varies. “It’s not so much about a particular age group, it’s more about if a student has a safe, designated learning environment and an organized routine,” said Ogden. “Students who are adapting sign in to synchronous teaching sessions, complete work independently, and take advantage of teacher office hours.” It’s about community and flexibility Ogden said the community, city of Groveport, and Madison Township have provided support and ideas to the district. “Everyone is working together. For example, the city of Groveport gave us masks,” said Ogden. “Madison Township gave the district $10,000 to purchase COVID supplies. It definitely is taking a village.” Once the pandemic fades away and school returns to a traditional model, Ogden said some of the successful ideas used during the remote learning model could be incorporated into teaching in the future. “It’s about adapting and being flexible,” said Ogden. “Thomas Edison once said, ‘When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this, you haven’t.’”
www.columbusmessenger.com December 20, 2020 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 9 Too much glitz and glamour in “e Prom” Celebrities, whether they hail from the entertainment industry, the music industry, or the sporting world, are often criticized for speaking out for a cause. Much of this criticism is directed by socalled fans who are unhappy their fave has an opposing view or an alternative life experience, but some of it comes from the non-celebrities within the cause who are skeptical that their support is only being done for positive press. Netflix’s “The Prom” tries to examine the latter phenomenon in a cheekier and less serious way, but while doing so it becomes unaware that directorial choices to focus on the star-studded aspect of the story nudges the film into that category despite its best intentions. This decision, however unconsciously made, gives off a faint whiff of self-importance in an otherwise sweet story about self-discovery and genuine activism. The film, which is adapted from a Tonynominated Broadway musical, begins in a small town in Indiana at a Parent-Teacher Association meeting. Its chair, Mrs. Greene, (Kerry Washington) has called an emergency meeting at the school, complete with the local press, to discuss one student’s desire to bring her long-term girlfriend to the upcoming prom. Scandalized by this idea, which she considers to be an abomination, she encourages the association to cancel One of the most cherished Christmas television specials is, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It first aired in 1965 and was groundbreaking for its time - with its mix of profound Christian philosophy expressed by Linus’ speech about the first Christmas contrasted with the secular commercial trappings that inch into the observance of the holiday. I am joyfully thrust back decades in time whenever I see this show. Three years before Charlie Brown aired, Mr. Magoo celebrated the holidays in 1962 with his own vision-challenged version of, “A Christmas Carol.” While he does not draw the same devotion or notoriety as Charlie, Mr. Magoo is worth the hunt to watch his version of Ebenezer Scrooge during December. Speaking of Scrooge–and I will argue this until Rudolph’s red nose no longer blazes a path through the night–there is only one glorious cinematic version of Charles Dickens’ masterpiece - the 1951 black and white film version starring Alistair Sim. It is as if Dickens wrote the timeless tale with Sim in mind, framed against the gray While “The Prom” is not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination – it could have used some fine tuning of the dialogue and been trimmed by 20 minutes, at least... the festivities in order to be “fair to all students.” When they do so, outrage is felt throughout the LGBTQ community, their allies, and the student body. The latter’s displeasure and anger, however, is directed at out lesbian Emma (newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman) who only wants to have a nice evening with her girlfriend and classmates. While this is happening in the Midwest, outrage is also brewing in New York City, but this comes from a slew of Broadway actors who are mystified that critics had negative things to say about their latest play “Eleanor! The Eleanor Roosevelt Musical.” Frustrated by the response which called them unlikeable squirming worms, former big-name stars Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep) and Barry Glickman (James Corden) set off to find something to “make their brand more appealing.” Despite a few alcoholic beverages to get the ideas flowing (and the sadness at a manageable level), they come up with no bleakness of London of the 1840s. Sim is the consummate Scrooge, full of iconic smugness in his devoted pursuit of penny pinching and financial gain. Sim blurs the line between actor and role as he becomes the quintessential curmudgeon, using his height to lurk over the less fortunate with a craggy face that runs the gamut from hardened miser to compassionate uncle. Scrooge’s redemption at the hands of a trio of spirits showcases Sim’s dynamic acting chops in a role made for the actor and a holiday gift I unwrap year after year. If you only have time to watch one holiday classic, make it this version of “A Christmas Carol.” ideas on how to make themselves more marketable or likeable, the former deemed more important than the latter. While drowning in their sorrows, they learn from fellow struggling actors (but with less name and face recognition) Angie Dickinson (Nicole Kidman) and Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannells) about the goings on in that small Indiana town. Being a gay man, Barry can empathize with Emma’s plight and being considered one of the great “gay positive icons,” Dee Dee can too, in her own way. Knowing they can make a difference from their celebrity, the pair, alongside Angie and Trent, set off for small-town Indiana to “change the minds of those bigoted monsters” and snag some positive press in the process. Though the story is largely centered around Emma and the challenges she and her closeted girlfriend, Alyssa Greene, (Ariana DeBose) face, the film’s primary focus is on the more well-known cast of characters played by actors Streep, Kidman, Corden and, to a lesser degree, Rannells. As I have not seen the Broadway play in full — I did catch their showcase at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that, ironically, drew heavy criticism when it featured a scene with the two female leads kissing — I do not know if that is the case in that medium as well but the film version Likewise, Irving Berlin’s homage to the holidays– “White Christmas” –is another gift I give myself. The ending alone - where all the stage trappings are pulled away to showcase the snow falling outside as the four lead actors waltz around in the most amazing holiday costumes ever - is another cinematic Christmas card. “White Christmas” whirls around the screen in glorious color, song, and dance under the stewardship of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. Yes, it is a classic boy meets girl, boy loses girl and everyone is happy in the end story, but it is oh so much more. It is also poignant, a tale of doing something nice for someone who gave so much, full of hope. Will it or won’t it snow? It is also filled with songs that have stood the test of time. The Reel Deal feels slightly less disingenuous with its focus on them. Yes, they are the funniest parts of the musical and, yes, to its credit, it does show their characters trying to grow as fully realized Dedra Cordle narcissistic adults, but the film could have done a better job at balancing the two topically important stories. While “The Prom” is not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination — it could have used some fine tuning of the dialogue and been trimmed by 20 minutes, at least — it is a brightly enjoyable look at two teenage girls finding their inner strength through their love for each other, a mess of adults trying to improve their behaviors to better themselves and the world, and a possible future where the lights on Broadway can shine once again. Grade: C+ Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist. Let’s talk about Christmas television specials and films Places entertainment Linda Dillman “White Christmas” whirls around the screen in glorious color, song, and dance under the stewardship of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. What more could you ask for? Unless it happens to be Rankin and Bass’ stop-motion 1964 animation classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” another case of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds friends and a snow monster and gets girl. Or, if you rather, Santa makes a big mistake. Rudolph saved Santa’s reputation, the Island of Misfit Toys, and Christmas. My list of holiday cinematic happiness is not complete without mentioning my modern favorites – “A Christmas Story,” “Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Elf,” “Jingle All the Way,” and “The Polar Express” (the ending makes me cry every single time). So, drag along a millennial or two, grab a cup of hot cocoa (topped with marshmallows, of course) and join me in the pursuit of the classics - holiday style. Linda Dillman is a Messenger staff writer.
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Groveport Messenger - December 20th, 2020

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