BRADLEY – The upcoming Open House for the 2020-2021 school year at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School will look somewhat different than years past.
For the first time next Thursday, October 22nd, parents will be allowed to ‘visit classrooms’ at the high school in a special virtual event. BBCHS Principal Dr. Brian Wright sent out a video message earlier this week to parents explaining the unique process, which includes various slots and Zoom links to attend classes throughout the evening.
“Given the current status of our state, and our country, as it pertains to COVID-19, it only makes sense that we give our parents and our teachers the opportunity to engage in this year’s open house from a digital format,” Principal Wright said in a video message earlier this week. Parents will need a computer, a personal phone, or a child’s chrome book to engage in virtual meetings.
The open house will be formatted in rotations allowing parents to spend equal time with each teacher. Two rotations will last less than two hours, beginning at 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm Thursday.
“Each teacher has created a Zoom link and will meet parents in that Zoom meeting,” Wright explained.
Teachers will also explain how they format lessons for digital and in-person learners during the event.
Parents will need to fill out a course schedule expected to be sent out soon by the school and match the appropriate zoom links to teachers to attend. “I appreciate all the efforts that you are putting in to help us make sure that your child’s year is successful,” Wright said.
CAMERA’S CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
During the video message, Wright asked parents to have a conversation with children in regards to keeping cameras on during days when they are not in school.
“What we have found is those who have cameras on are engaged at a higher rate than those who are not.
From a teaching standpoint, it is much easier to teach when we see students’ faces, as opposed to black screens.” Wright explained.
Regular student engagement through remote learning has scientific credence. A recent Yale study showed students’ attention to educational videos can drop up to 50% after just nine minutes. Regular active student engagement is a primary way to combat that drop-off.
