Like all schools across the state and nation, attendance has dropped at Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School as a result of virtual learning in the midst of the COVID pandemic, but executive director Amanda Johnson is attempting to do something about that.
Johnson discussed those issues during Monday night’s monthly board meeting.
The students are divided into three groups and two of them are on the hybrid learning plan. Group A comes to school in person Mondays and Wednesdays, while Group B has in-person learning Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Both groups came to school from 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. As of this week, they are going to school from 7:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
“Our attendance is lower than in previous year,” Johnson said. “We’ve noticed we’re in slightly lower attendance when we’re in virtual. With some of the changes, it’s hard to make those changes quickly.”
Johnson said the goal is to have attendance at around a 90 percent rate this year. The goal has been 96 percent in the past.
Johnson said the attendance rate averages between 88 and 89 percent in 2020-21. Students may be struggling with virtual learning for a variety of reasons.
“It’s definitely a combination of things,” Johnson said. “It’s having consistent access of internet access. It’s having the support system at home to get you on and support you. It’s also just changes. It’s a year that has been up and down. There have been challenges for many, including our families.”
Johnson said students can make up for some of the missed time of virtual learning the extra hour they are in the building. The hour could also be used for intervention.
“We’re excited to add that extra hour for extra intervention,” she said.
Johnson acknowledged there are still reasons to be cautious with COVID out there.
“Part of the reason we went shorter is our kids are required to social distance,” Johnson said.
In other business, Johnson reported weather issues the past week caused a small delay with the two new buildings being constricted on campus. However, they are still expected to be completed in July.
“We lost some of that cushion we had in our schedule,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the siding is currently being put up in the buildings and the painting will come soon.
“I think it’s looking great,” she said. “I think they’re moving forward. The kids are excited about it. They’re making a lot of progress.”
