North Judson-San Pierre Officials Prepare for First Year with E-Learning

Posted on July 20, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin took some time during Tuesday night’s school board meeting to discuss how E-Learning will be utilized in the upcoming school year.

In the first year of its implementation, there will be two pre-planned E-Learning days, rather than the kind that are held when inclement weather strikes.

The first will be held on February 18, 2019, and the second one will be determined and announced at a later date.

Until the first E-Learning day arrives, Zupin said teachers and students will be practicing both inside and outside of the classroom. In the fall, students and teachers will utilize the week of October 22nd through the 26th to familiarize themselves with procedures.

Board Vice President Derrick Stalbaum provided a good summary of what the E-Learning practice days will entail.

He explained, “The point of an E-Learning day is that education continues, so what you’re doing is you’re still learning and you’re still going through curriculum even on those practice days, you’re just doing it in a more digital format.”

Dr. Zupin stressed that school officials did not come to this decision overnight. She explained that conversations started back in February when they began consulting with the Department of Education, as well as gauging how teachers and administrators felt about the potential implementation.

Officials spent time researching the program throughout the months of March, April and May as conversations with the D.O.E continued and surrounding schools were consulted about their methods.

Zupin stated that during the months of June and July, the focus has been on professional development, as well as creating and finalizing policies and procedures for the program’s implementation. Officials are still discussing various aspects, such as how to effectively measure attendance and what a student would do if they don’t have access to the internet at home.

Dr. Zupin noted that there will be a three day grace period for students to submit E-Learning assignments after the initial date is held. She also mentioned that since there will be pre-planned days this year, students and parents can make arrangements to utilize the library or another place in town that has access to free Wi-Fi.

Officials also suggested potentially opening the lab at the school on the pre-planned E-Learning days where weather conditions would not prevent travel.

Zupin said during this transition, school officials will continue to provide as much information about the program as possible. If you have any questions about the E-Learning at NJSP, feel free to contact the Administration Office at 574-896-2155. Click the following link to download the power-point presentation provided about the NJSP E-Learning Program.