Wolf Point Students Falling Behind During Pandemic
Wolf Point School officials discussed on Monday, Nov. 9, possible methods to provide the best education possible while dealing with the COVID pandemic.
The school district’s return to classes on Nov. 2, after conducting distance learning due to an increase of cases earlier in the school year. Southside Elementary School is scheduled to return to classes on Wednesday, Nov. 10, after delaying its opening due to active cases.
Wolf Point superintendent of schools Loverty Erickson noted that students have performed lower than normal in recent college testing. Erickson shared Northwest Evaluation Association’s test results that Wolf Point’s students are falling behind.
“We have quite a gap to close,” Erickson said. “We need to be in school, and the kids need to be working as hard as they can.”
Trustee Mark Zilkoski noted the data validates the need for students to return to the classrooms.
On the topic of students opting- out from in-person classes, Erickson explained some students aren’t logging in nearly enough.
“It’s concerning, those who don’t log on,” trustee Corey Reum said. “What do we do next for them?”
Reum suggested that the school district should consider doing more with the fifth day of the week when classes aren’t being conducted.
“I don’t see how it will hurt anything to implement the fifth day,” Reum said. “I wonder if that’s something we should kick around.”
Erickson noted that seven K-12 teachers are available each Friday for one-on-one individual lessons. Many students have taken advantage of that option.
“That’s one thing we’re doing,” Erickson said. Trustee Linda Hansen asked that if students aren’t keeping up, if the school district could request parents to have their children start attending classes. Trustee Lanette Clark added perhaps a series of warnings could be given.
Also during the meeting, trustees approved a lighting update of $33,906 for the junior high/high school auditorium stage. “They are long overdue,” board chair Mark Kurokawa said of new lights.
Resignations were accepted for Vernie Madison as Southside paraprofessional, Ryan Wilson as head high school football coach and Wendelyn Connelley as junior class advisor.
“We thank these people for their commitment to the programs and service to the schools,” Kurokawa said.
Hired were Jessica Ruffing as substitute teacher, Wayne Eagleboy as student worker, Karlie McGowan as junior class advisor and Jaronn Boysun as game worker.
The board unanimously approved a request for an employee to have unpaid leave in light of long-term health matters. Erickson recommended the request, which will allow the employee to keep on the school district’s health insurance plan.
Trustees approved the request to open a student activity account for the junior high Jobs for Montana Graduates program. Erickson said Wolf Point has been selected to be part of a regional multi-state technology group. She added that it’s exciting for Wolf Point to receive such recognition.
Kurokawa commended fall sports athletes for their dedication. He thanked football players for staying with the sport despite challenging times because of the virus. He noted the volleyball team placed second at district and won a match at the divisional tournament.
“A big congratulations to the cross-country team,” Kurokawa said. The Wolves placed fourth at state as a team and Zander Ackerman earned the individual state championship.
