Mennonite schools switch to home learning

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This article was published 18/04/2020 (2226 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ensuring students keep to a regular routine at home is the goal of the teaching staff of a Mennonite private school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawrence Hamm is the superintendent and CEO of the Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary and Middle Schools (WMEMS), which has campuses in Fort Garry and in St. James.

“We’re keeping our connection up daily with the students and the families,” Hamm said, adding this is through a combination of online learning tools and resources. “For example, every school day, each teacher holds a video meeting with their students. This really helps us retain that connection.”

Students and parents are adapting to the new routine, he said. “Many of our students are really missing their teachers and their classmates. We had one parent who emailed us to say her daughter loves watching her teacher on the screen, and is very happy to keep up a normal school day, albeit at home.”

One of those working remotely is Wes Krahn, a Grade 4 teacher at the Katherine Friesen campus in Fort Garry, who sends a daily outline for a regular class schedule adapted for home use.

“Videos are shared with students to deliver new content, revisit important strategies, and maintain a visual connection,” Krahn said. “Group chats keep students connected.”

Virtually all of the school’s 20-plus teaching staff are using technology to keep learning going. 

Group video chats keep students connected throughout the week, keeping up friendships and offering time to ask their teacher about school work or technology.

“The main idea is to maintain a sense of community despite the physical separation, Grade 6 teacher Mark Wiehler said. “Creating a space for students to connect with staff is key.”

Combined, the private school has around 375 students. Hamm said they have open enrollment, so there are students of many faiths attending.

Technology is a real help, Hamm said. “We know that many families have only one computer, but more than one student needs to use it,” he said. “We can provide those with an iPad or two from the school, so parents don’t have to mediate a battle between kids who want to be online at the same time.”

The school has been staggering its online presentations for students in order to help families with more than one child. “For example, kindergarteners will check in at 9 a.m., followed by Grade 1 students at 9:45 a.m., and so on,” Hamm said. “This way, there’s no overlap, and families know how to organize their day around this.”

Recognizing that technology use means more screen time, the teachers are also encouraging students to turn their screens off, go outside and play, to read books or do art.

“I’m amazed at how our teachers stepped up. They’re creating movies about topics, teaching how to play a band instrument, dressing up as characters from books,” Hamm said.

For more information on WMEMS, see http://wmems.ca