CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — While the school boards and health departments go back and forth on mask requirements in schools, one main goal is consistent: kids need in-person learning.
At Soaring Hawk Elementary School in Castle Rock, first graders are experiencing full-time, in-person learning for the first time in their lives. That means there is a lot of catching up to do beyond reading and math.
“When we went through COVID and not being able to be with the children, [that was] was really, really hard. And it was hard for everybody—socially and emotionally,” said Robin Vora, a first grade teacher at Soaring Hawk Elementary School in Douglas County.
Return to in-person learning
Kids are now back in classrooms where many are having to learn interpersonal skills.
“To have them in person is what we all want. To see their faces every day, to have the energy of the building, to have face-to-face interaction…even through masks and other things like that we have to deal with. It’s important to have that face to face,” said Stacey Roberson, the principal at Soaring Hawk.
Many school and state leaders agree: in-person learning is a must this year. The Douglas County School District sent a statement to Rocky Mountain PBS reiterating the disruption COVID-19 has caused to everyone's lives and the necessity to move forward:
“Our DCSD team will prioritize the social-emotional and mental health needs of all students and staff. We want to help our students transition out of a pandemic and into a successful school year. The beginning of the school year is a time to connect and build students into learning, activities, and athletics while creating pride in their school experience. This connection is more critical than ever, and we have a commitment to build belonging and a systemic approach to monitor and support each and every student,” the statement read in part.
Kids sit in a circle during one part of the day in Vora's first-grade classroom.
It should be noted, though, that new data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) show cases across all age groups have risen since the start of summer, especially among younger children. The data reveal the 6-11 age group is experiencing its the highest case rate since the start of the pandemic.
In order to help keep kids in classrooms this year, CDPHE and Governor Jared Polis are emphasizing a layered approach for COVID-19 safety. That includes many different elements like mask-wearing, hand-washing, social distancing when possible, and regular testing. This school year, Polis announced a new federally-funded program that provides weekly, rapid testing to potentially all schools in Colorado.
As Vora looks to tackle this tough school year, she relies on the basics of what she has always prioritized for her kids. That includes how they all feel when they go to school.
“When they come to my classroom home, I want them to know this is a place where they’re seen, they’re heard, that we’re friends. I’m here to help them. We’re all here together,” explained Vora.
As Vora can attest to already, her first graders have to learn so much since they missed out on critical socialization in the last 18 months; especially considering the now six or seven-year-olds were only four or five before the pandemic started.
“With these little guys, they’re definitely working hard to understand social cues and boundaries, right? They’ve been isolated or not able to play and there has been a lot of fear. So, some kids are fearful, some kids might be a little bit more aggressive or have their hands on another kiddo…they’re just not thinking things through, so I think I have to be very intentional and purposeful about the messages—short and sweet and clear.”
While so much of this year is challenging for teachers and kids, Vora believes the community deserves credit for its resiliency, adding that she is often so impressed with her students.
“I think they teach me more than I teach them, because they are resilient and they just go with the flow,” Vora explained. “They just hang in there. Obviously we’re seeing those little ripples here and there—that social and emotional piece—but I will tell you that these children definitely, definitely come with a spirit of, 'I’m so glad to be here.'”
Brian Willie is the Content Production Manager with Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach him at brianwillie@rmpbs.org.
Amanda Horvath is a multimedia producer with Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach her at amandahorvath@rmpbs.org.
