TROY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Right now schools across the state are starting to get into a new groove. This as they adjust to the idea that school will be closed for in person learning for the rest of the school year.
7 Action News spoke with members of the Cubitt Family in Troy on Zoom about what they are experiencing. Dad, Brent, is a high school teacher. Mom, Kristen, is a literacy specialist. Their three children go to Troy schools, so they are all together experiencing the impact of the fact schools are closed for the school year due to the COVID-19 crisis. High school junior Margaret and her sister Caroline who is in 8th grade say this week they have noticed, instruction has changed to more challenging new lessons.
“I have definitely noticed more Schoolology messages and Zoom calls set up,” said Caroline.
“What are the essential elements that students really need to know from now until the end of the year?” asked Dr. Richard Machesky, Troy Schools Superintendent, as he described what school leaders are focusing on.
Machesky says the girls are right. The district in recent days has been working with teachers to come up with a new uniform plan, so that students can advance and succeed in the future. This while knowing that parents and children may not be able to put as much time and structure into learning as they would have at schools.
“We know we cant replace face to face instruction for 8 weeks. There is no way we can do that,” said Dr. Machesky.
Teachers are finding themselves not just teaching children, but helping them get through emotionally.
“We do as much as we can to support their learning growth, as well as their social emotional growth, you know, make sure their families are okay,” said Kristen Cubitt.
While the Cubitt kids miss school and sports, they say there is one positive thing that came out of this.
“We’ve had so much family time, that we have grown closer a a family,” said Margaret.
“And that has been really really nice,” said Brent Cubitt
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