JC Schools continues online learning, commencement ceremonies still undecided

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City School District is battling most of the same issues schools around the country are facing right now.

JC Schools Superintendent Larry Linthacum says the district is working with staff and parents to get students what they need to learn, including WiFi and food.

"I'd say it's going well but we know that it has continued to improve so it's evolving as we collaborate with our families on what's working, what's not," Linthacum said. "These really are unchartered waters and we know we can do better."

Linthacum said there have been some issues with online learning but each grade and school is handling things a bit differently.

"It's different in each building and with our staff, there are some that are having a group of students on the screen," Linthacum said. "As far as having, you know from 10 to 11 a.m., they're having their third-hour class and having their fourth-hour and they've got everybody on the screen we're not doing that."

Linthacum says students from kindergarten to first grade mostly have take-home packets and second graders to seniors have electronic devices but for most of those younger students, reading is the most important factor.

The district also has staff available on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. if students need help.

"So if I were to give a thumbs up or a thumbs down I would say the thumbs up," Linthacum said. "We know the techniques continue to improve as we work with our families to tweak and fine-tune what it looks like in each of our homes."

Linthacum says commencement and summer school are still undecided variables.

"We are having discussions right now we know that we need to be having so we those conversations are taking place, and we'll make sure to communicate that with everyone when the determination has been made," Linthacum said.

As for the May 4 return date, Linthacum says everyone should still plan to return to school.

"There's just a lot of uncertainty still and that is really out of our hands but we don't know at this time so right now we're planning on returning on May, 4," Linthacum said. "It's not perfect, we're not going to say it's perfect. But we're trying to connect with our families, communicating with them and try to identify what are the areas that we can do better, that we need to tweak, we need to adjust accordingly going forward."

For more information, the district has a COVID-19 page with a list of resources on its website.