ComMentor - Spring 2021 - Flipbook - Page 7
year, it’s a lot easier because she’s in a classroom, and she gets teacher help. It’s wonderful this year.
“She’s 100% on her own with her teacher. I check in with her at lunchtime and after school, but usually she doesn’t need me
to help her. She’s able to ask her teacher,
which has worked really well so far.”
When asked for feedback about MSO,
many other parents shared the same sentiment. One parent wrote, “My son’s teacher
went out of her way to seek out the needs
and interests of each child and engage
them on their level of need. She worked
well with my son, keeping him challenged
and in-check, as he gets bored easily when
work is done.”
Another said, “My child’s teacher is a wonder at making the classroom so positive and
keeping the kids involved during class-time.”
Another parent shared, “My
children’s MSO teachers are
amazing. They clearly made an
effort to get to know my kids
and build relationships with
them. They balanced synchronous and independent work
well. Both of my kids thrived
this year and made tremendous growth.”
There have also been big adjustments needed for all of the
students enrolled in MSO since
it requires being on Zoom for
a good part of the day. At the
middle and high school levels,
the kids are switching classes (via Zoom) just like they
would during the day. The district continues to evaluate screen-time and
is working to find a developmentally appropriate balance for students.
“Our secondary classroom teachers have
done an excellent job working with having kids on Zoom and in the classroom at
the same time. This is a challenging way to
teach, there’s no doubt,” Lynch says. “All
of our teachers have found a way to make
this work for our students for this year. It
has been impressive. They have done an
amazing job of keeping the learning going
and connecting with students.”
Recognizing the challenge of keeping
students in both the classroom and at
home engaged, the district is working to
adjust the secondary model for next year’s
MSO program.
The district will continue to offer the
option of MSO moving forward based on
continued uncertainties with COVID-19
and also the fact that this method of
learning works better for some students.
As the district continues to learn and
grow, adjustments for the 2021-2022
MSO are being finalized.
“Some people have discovered, ‘Oh,
this works for us as a family,’” Lynch says,
adding that the district doesn’t want to
lose any students whose families prefer
online learning. “We want them to receive
a high-quality Mentor Schools education,
and we believe our educators can do that
better than anyone else.”
by the numbers
Students Enrolled in MSO
for 2020-2021
K-5 First Semester: 797
K-5 Second Semester: 739
6-12 First Semester: 1,614
6-12 Second Semester: 1,515
K-5 MSO Classrooms by Grade
Kindergarten:
5
1st Grade:
6
2nd Grade:
6
3rd Grade:
7
4th Grade:
6
5th Grade:
6
Spring 2021 / Mentor Public Schools
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