Laptops and enrichment: Hilo Intermediate helps students as distance learning continues amid pandemic

Hilo Intermediate School teachers, educational assistants and administrators spent Monday and Tuesday morning giving students enrichment packets and laptops to help continue distance learning.

The state Department of Education announced Friday that distance learning will continue through May 28, the last day of school.

“We didn’t know it would be the last time to see them when the kids left for spring break a month ago,” said Hilo Intermediate School Principal Heather Dansdill.

School facilities have been closed to students since March 19, and schools have been navigating distance learning opportunities that vary from class to class.

Students who might not have had the opportunity to pick up laptops or were in need to swap laptops were able to pick them up Monday and Tuesday. New enrichment packets were distributed online or in person, as well.

“We’ve included more pages of our core four curriculum and have added activities for P.E. and work sheets to help monitor mental health,” Dansdill said. “We think it’s important that students know they can reach out if they need help.”

Teachers and administrators have been using new strategies for students’ various learning styles to try to make distance learning as easy as possible through the school closure.

However, nothing beats teaching in person.

“We all just really miss the kids. You don’t do this work without loving it,” Dansdill said. “This gave us a good excuse to safely say hi to students coming by.”

Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.