Norwin's first hybrid school day went well, students say

The first day of class at Norwin Middle School for Avery Waszo was similar to her final day last school year — it was online.

“It went well. There was not too much work,” said Avery, a 12-year-old seventh grader from North Huntingdon.

Avery was one of 5,300 district students who either were in school Monday or who received remote instruction. Norwin students whose last names begin with a letter from A to K will go to school Mondays and Tuesdays, while those with last names beginning with letters L-Z attended online. Their roles reverse on Thursdays and Fridays. All students will receive instruction online on Wednesdays.

The district opted for a hybrid model — which sparked a protest from some parents — to reduce the amount of students in buildings and classrooms to prevent the spread of covid-19. The hybrid model was in line with the guidelines from the state education and health departments.

Superintendent Jeff Taylor could not be reached for comment Monday.

Waszo watched a pre-recorded video during the asynchronous instruction — meaning it was not offered at the same time the teacher was instructing students in the class. One of the highlights was that her teacher presented a slideshow for the students that gave each classmate the opportunity to edit their own Goggle slide show, Waszo said.

“It was a way for the students to socially interact, virtually,” said her mother, Amy Filer.

Filer said she believes teachers are better prepared for the virtual instruction than they were in the spring, when the governor closed schools in mid-March for two weeks, before requiring all schools to instruct students online. Norwin delayed the opening of school from Aug. 19 to Aug. 31, which allowed for more in-service days.

Filer’s son, Shane, 10, a fourth grader at Sheridan Terrace Elementary, had his assignments emailed from his teacher for the first three days of school. The assignments are fairly simple and straightforward, and can be done without an electronic device, since he won’t get the iPad Norwin is providing until he goes to school Thursday, Filer said.

The first day of Katie Baker’s senior year at Norwin was unlike at any other first day, but it is something she will get accustomed to for the entire year.

Baker, a North Huntingdon resident, was one of about 890 students who have opted to take classes through the Norwin Online Academy, according to Jonathan Szish, a district spokesman. By choosing Norwin’s online program, rather than a cyber charter school, Baker will receive a Norwin diploma and will be able to be involved in activities.

“I like the online classes and the programs that are being used. They’re very easy to navigate and definitely are going to be a better fit for me,” Baker said.

Baker said she believes online education will be as good as if she were in school, “mainly because I still have Norwin teachers as well.”

She is doing online instruction because of her family’s concern about covid-19, Baker said.

Baker acknowledged she will she will miss being around classmates and will miss the face-to-face interaction with teachers, even though there will be Zoom calls.

Avery and other students learning from home know one benefits of receiving instruction outside the classroom, or working remotely like many adults, is the proximity to the refrigerator and snacks in the kitchen cabinets. When her mother also is working from home, she has a cook to make her favorite food for lunch.

“You can eat whenever you want. It absolutely is one of the best parts,” Avery said.