Brookfield High School math teacher Lisa Henry.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s order closing schools for three weeks beginning Monday raises more questions than can be answered, said Brookfield Supt. Toby Gibson.
Those questions include: Will students have to make up days? Will students still take state tests? Will graduation be affected? Will the spring sports season be held?
Gibson, who canceled classes Friday, said he told his staff members not to dwell on those questions, but to concentrate on issues that can be addressed right now.
“We’re gonna try to work on things we can control and focus on today,” he said Friday.
Gibson is treating the extended student absences as snow days, and teachers came to school Friday and will return Monday to put together “blizzard bags,” which he described as “hands-on, tangible,” assignments and activities they can do at home without books or internet access.
Some teachers were putting assignments in Google Classroom, which requires internet access, but parents and guardians without internet access were instructed to contact the school, and officials will figure out a way to get work to those students, Gibson said.
Parents and guardians can expect a telephone call Monday with instructions on how to access their blizzard bags, he said.
The district was getting guidance from the state as to how to address the needs of special education students, he said.
Staff members also were working out details to provide lunches to students during the break.
Students came into school Friday to get band instruments and items from their lockers, and will be allowed access again on Monday, Gibson said.
Gibson said he addressed the staff over lunch on Friday.
“I wanted to make sure we’re all on the same page,” he said.
As the break wears on and officials get a better sense as to when regular classes will resume, they will figure out what to do about the school play, which was to run March 26-28, and other school events that had to be postponed.
“I have every intention of making these things up,” Gibson said. “There’s a lot to juggle right now, a lot of details to iron out.”
For the most part, the community has been understanding, Gibson said, and he pledged to share information as he gets it.
“We’re all in it together,” Gibson said. “This is new to everybody. I have always talked about this being a family. We’re here for a common purpose, and that’s to make sure everybody gets a good education and walks out of here and can be successful.”
All staff members will be paid during the break, he said.
