Flossmoor School District 161 is looking to limit classroom sizes during its summer academy to encourage student engagement.
School board members and district administrators discussed plans for the summer session at a special meeting May 7, which was held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Classes will be limited to eight to 10 students during the program and will be held remotely.
“That will allow our teachers to focus on small groups and individual instruction to meet the students’ needs,” Superintendent Dana Smith said of the move.
The academy will focus on students who need the most academic support, including those who have been difficult to reach during this spring’s remote learning period, he said.
“We know that the change to remote learning has been challenging, but I’m proud of how our teachers and staff members are meeting the issue head on and they are creating positive outcomes for children,” he said.
Additionally, learning levels in the fall will be varied, in an attempt to address the unique circumstances of each student, according to the board’s meeting agenda.
“We have to realize that there are a lot of different family situations and we have to try to take those into account,” Smith said. District 161 is attempting to create learning experiences for students so that they will want to engage in learning, perhaps remotely, and he explained: “that’s very difficult.”
At the meeting, the board also approved a contract that delegates Patricia McCraven as interim principal of Flossmoor Hills Elementary school while principal Haley Marti is on maternity leave.
“During her absence, we would like to ensure that Mrs. Marti can rest easy knowing that Flossmoor Hills is in capable hands as well as ensure the continuous and effective operation of the school,” the contract reads.
McCraven was principal at Flossmoor Hills for five years before her retirement in 2018. She was a speech therapist and administrator in District 161 for 34 years. She will step into the role as interim principal at the end of August.