Virtual School Update

By Jennie Ponce-Gutierrez

As of March 2020, the Green Bay Area Public School district has moved from in-person instruction to virtual instruction. By taking this precaution, the increase of Covid-19 cases is being avoided. Although taking this initiative hasn’t been the easiest, officials say it has helped reduce the number of cases. Was there a need for virtual instruction? 

“Unfortunately, yes,” said Matthew Heller, Green Bay East High School assistant principal. “We can’t safely be back in school until Covid numbers go back to a more manageable number.  The situation in November is worse than it was during March and April of last year.  There is hope that the new vaccines will give us a chance to complete this year in person, but since Wisconsin, in general, is doing nothing to reduce infection numbers, the vaccines will be our only hope.” 

How is virtual instruction helping reduce the spread of the virus?

Virtual instruction is not ideal, but it is the only safe way to do school right now, officials said.  It is keeping us safer because we are avoiding crowds and indoor spaces where it is easier to transmit Covid.  We all want to be back at East, but we are stuck waiting until it is safe, Heller said. 

No in-person classes are reported to be taking place at this time. During the first couple weeks of school, there was word on returning through hybrid mode two days of in-person instruction and two days of virtual school, but since then there have been no updates in regards to the number of cases rising in Green Bay. 

Students are not allowed inside the building other than for picking up materials such as textbooks, and special materials for certain classes. Many classes have had to cut learning days due to insufficient time and resources to teach certain topics. Such as AP classes are having to cut or shorten units.

“The toughest part is having to sacrifice some of the group projects and performances.  I am grateful, however, for the fact that we have been able to provide some supplies for art students this year.”

Mark Dix, Art Teacher

 “We have had to cut down on the amount of information that we are able to cover in class due to the situation, said Mark Dix, art teacher.  “The toughest part is having to sacrifice some of the group projects and performances.  I am grateful, however, for the fact that we have been able to provide some supplies for art students this year.”

Extracurricular clubs and activities have also moved into virtual instruction. Many classes are turning to alternate projects since many of the necessary materials used are located at school. 

Teachers started the year by partially working at school. Many teachers chose to teach at school to have a routine to follow while others decided to teach from home due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Green Bay Wisconsin, where the district decided to take the initiative and ask teachers to teach from home for two weeks and see how things played out.

 Given that the infection rate has not decreased, but has been consistently increasing, two weeks became less than what was needed. Teachers, today, are still teaching from home until a new date is set. 

At this moment, there isn’t a clear date for the return of in-person instruction, and it is until then that students and teachers will continue the virtual schooling system.