Lawrence, Martin students begin ‘homework’

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

With homework taking on a whole new meaning in the age of COVID-19, non-traditional instruction (NTI) began today (Wednesday) for students in Lawrence and Martin counties. Johnson County and Paintsville Independent students are set to start NTI Monday, while those in Floyd County will begin Sept. 8. Gov. Andy Beshear recommended earlier this month that Kentucky schools delay the start of in-person instruction until Sept. 28 due to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. Area school districts had planned to begin both NTI and in-person classes much sooner than Sept. 28 and had to scurry to provide NTI to all students until classroom instruction could begin. Lawrence County Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher provided an update to parents and guardians Friday relating to the start of the school year. He said that students who had selected in-person instruction would have to do their work at home until Sept. 28, unless another delay is recommended. Students who initially opted to remain in an at-home setting will do so through the first semester and have access to his or her teacher for instruction, Fletcher said. Students who chose virtual instruction will work at home using a standalone program for instruction. Teachers will monitor progress only, he said, and students will remain in this option for at least one year. Fletcher said the school district ordered $400,000 worth of new Chromebooks for students in early June but has not received them due to a nationwide shortage. “We are sending out what we have available, and we will send out the new Chromebooks as soon as they are delivered to us,” Fletcher said in the letter to parents. Lawrence County’s food service program also begins today but will only be provided to students enrolled in the school district, according to Fletcher. “We are asking federal officials for permission to feed all children, 18 and under, but at the time of publication of this letter, we can only feed students in our school system,” he said. Fletcher also said that the local school board is “looking into options to expand food services to other children in our county.” “We will deliver food to our students, no matter the option that you have chosen,” Fletcher said. “We are basing our deliveries on the results of the All In Learning Contracts that each person should have completed over the past two weeks.” In Martin County, Martin County High School will distribute Chromebooks to students today and Thursday. No Chromebooks will be given to anyone that has not completed online registration, according to MCHS Principal Martha Williams. Seniors can pick up Chromebooks today at the school from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and juniors from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Thursday, sophomores can pick up their Chromebooks from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and freshmen from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Williams reminded students that they do not need a Chromebook to log into Google Classrooms. “You can use your phone, laptop, PC, etc.,” Williams said in a Facebook post. “Any device that you can log into your school account, you will be able to access the classrooms, using the codes provided.” The Paintsville Independent School District will also distribute Chromebooks today and Thursday at the elementary and high schools from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Students in grades three through six at the elementary school and sophomores, juniors and seniors at the high school can pick up Chromebooks today. Chromebooks will be distributed Thursday to students in kindergarten through second grade at the elementary school and seventh grade, eighth grade and freshmen students at the high school.