On The Mark: Cromwell-Wright held fast to in-person learning

Reflecting earlier this month, Cromwell-Wright principal and superintendent Nathan Libbon recounted how he and his teachers, staff, parents and school board members managed to host most of their K-12 students in person for the past school year. Few other schools stayed open at similar levels.

Due to a number of close Covid-19 contacts, the district sent students in grades 7-12 home for two weeks in November, but that was it for distance learning. During the rest of the year, a few families opted for distance learning, keeping students at home and working over the internet or picking up homework assignments and dropping them off.

Because of the size of the school and student numbers, the school was able to meet the state requirements of hybrid learning without requiring its student population to stay home on certain days of the week.

"We worked out our strategy mid-summer last year, with the understanding that teaching students in person is the best way to educate kids, especially for elementary," Libbon said. "Because of our roomy school, we managed to host all our kids in the building, 6 feet apart and masked. With all our spaces, we cut capacity in half using every available instructional space."

They used some flex areas and, for bigger-sized classes, divided the group into two classrooms. "It was particularly challenging for our teachers. Some would be instructing in two rooms at the same time."

Paraprofessionals supervised in rooms where the instruction was remote.

Serving and consuming food was also challenging. They created spaced-out lunch lines with 6 feet between every diner. I observed this on my way to the auditorium for a choral practice. The youngest kids ate first - looking a little wistful as they dutifully lined up - spacing themselves appropriately, masked, and eating at least 6 feet apart.

Participation in sports continued with a limited number of fans. Participation in band and choir continued as well.

Libbon recounted how challenging it was to navigate during a pandemic.

"You don't know what's coming week to week. Some staff members and students did contract Covid, but there was no transmission in the building that we traced. Our school nurse has done a fantastic job helping us stay open and in person, implementing contact tracing and making it work." He gives the state health and education departments high marks for communicating with districts.

Libbon also underscored how grateful he is to Carlton County health workers.

"They have been fantastic," he said. "When the numbers were getting high and schools were shutting down around Christmas, they were comfortable with what we're doing here. They've done a great job keeping us informed and answering difficult questions. Their levels of competence are very high."

The school plans to offer summer instruction to elementary students, allowing for breaks for teachers and kids. Older students can participate in summer school in McGregor.

Libbon also credited school board members. "They've been a very supportive board. I've never had to sell the importance of hosting in-person schooling."

He also praised his staff.

"They are exceptional. I'm proud to work here and be part of this group," he said. "This year, they showed their true colors and their care and love for this community."

Ann Markusen is an economist and professor emerita at University of Minnesota. A Pine Knot News board member, she lives in Red Clover Township north of Cromwell with her husband, Rod Walli.