School district leaders react to state closures

DORCHESTER COUNTY, Md. – Maryland schools are now facing the reality that their students won’t be walking through their doors until next school year. Like other districts, Dorchester County Public Schools are keeping students learning by giving them remote learning materials and staying in contact with families.

Even though school leaders tell me they were planning for the closure to happen, it’s been a challenge getting used to this new normal. “When we left school back on March 13th none of us anticipated that it was going to be the last time we saw our students. Teachers didn’t say goodbye. They said see you soon,” said Warwick Elementary School principal Marybeth Blake.

Teachers across the school district are working hard to cover all areas of education as they prepare to end the school year without students returning. DCPS superintendent W. David Bromwell says the district has been paying close attention to how students are doing with remote education. “A lot of people – teachers, parents – are working harder than they’ve ever worked when it comes to educating our kids and making sure they’re successful with what they’re learning,” said Bromwell.

Bromwell says for the most part, remote learning has been successful. But, the district is still figuring out ways to ensure that every student is on the same page. “You’re getting various degrees from the students as to how they’re doing. Some of them are saying what I just said. They’re working harder than they ever have. Others are saying please give me more,” said Bromwell.

At Warwick Elementary, Blake says teachers are helping in this effort by meeting weekly to make their lesson plans as cohesive as possible. “There is a committee of teachers that represent every school in our district and they’re focusing on the main four content areas. Reading, math, science and social studies,” said Blake.

Both the superintendent and principal tell 47ABC that there’s also a large focus on tending to special needs students. They say the district and schools are regularly staying in contact with those families. They also say they are adjusting individualized education plans as needed. The school district is also making sure that food distribution sites are running smoothly for the time being.
Bromwell says he hopes to keep these distribution sites up and running for as long as they are needed, possibly into the summer.