BRENHAM ISD ROLLING OUT ONLINE, PAPER AT-HOME LEARNING FOR STUDENTS
Brenham ISD has begun rolling out its online and paper at-home learning programs for students, amidst the ongoing school closures caused by COVID-19.
Online and paper at-home learning will begin for students today (Thursday). The first paper packets for students go out today, and will include instructional materials for one week. The second paper packet will go out next Thursday, April 9th, and will include instructional materials for two weeks. Distribution of paper packets will be today and next Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. on each campus.
Parents that have chosen online learning for their children can find instructional materials in the Emergency Instruction System, accessible here. The system, also open today, will allow parents and students to access online lesson assignments. Elementary assignments will be posted by grade level, while secondary assignments will be posted by specific courses.
Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson said the district’s curriculum and instruction team has been researching the best ways to meet the needs of its varied learners, and will make changes to its instructional plan where necessary.
Dr. Jackson said, while Brenham ISD may not be as large as a district like Houston ISD, it still has to provide materials for roughly 5,100 students made up of all walks of life.
Communications Director Jessica Johnston said the district’s leadership team has seen the decision of some districts to do a quick rollout of online and at-home learning materials end up backfiring on them. She said Brenham ISD chose a more thoughtful approach, trying to look at every angle of the situation to try to make the best decision that it can with what resources it has.
The district said, at this time, no grades will be taken. It said its administrative team will evaluate the situation weekly and communicate any changes.
Dr. Jackson also offered some tips for successful learning at home.
Brenham ISD has established open Wi-Fi networks for students to access from their vehicles in the parking lots of Brenham Junior High School and Cub Stadium. Students can join the Guest Network on personal devices or school-issued Chromebooks. Access on devices at these points would be filtered through the district’s web filtering service.
Beginning on Monday, April 6th, teachers will be available Monday through Friday for two hours a day. Parents will receive communication from their child’s teacher regarding specific times. Parents and students can contact teachers at any time; however, teachers will respond to questions, emails, or phone calls during those office hours.
Further information on Brenham ISD’s at-home learning program is available at www.brenhamisd.net/page/covid.home.
Do our children get grades for this work? Does this work count towards the completion of the grade level of enrollment for this year? If not, why? Hoping KWHI can get answers for us parents and grandparents.
Why don’t you contact the school district directly and ask them?