From a distance
Schools to begin year with distance learning, no sports
By Jerry W. Kram
The third week of August usually opens with shouts of delight as elementary school students see friends for the first time in months and get to race around trying out the slides and swings that have sat empty in the summer sun. But next month, the playgrounds and school rooms will be silent, at least for a while.
The school boards of both New Town and Parshall adopted plans this week that will see students continue working through the distance learning programs that began this spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was not an easy decision for either administrators or board members, but the worsening health crisis forced their hands.
“Everything changed so quickly,” said New Town School Superintendents Mark Bluestone. “Three weeks ago I would have said ‘open it up’ for face to face classes.
