King’s Way Christian pivots to distance learning during weather event

The weather has closed school campuses but high school students at King’s Way Christian Schools are still in school this week, working remotely from home. Photo by Paul Valencia

Final exams are next week, and school officials did not want to lose instructional time due to inclement weather

Calling it a “silver lining” of the pandemic, administrators with King’s Way Christian Schools have taken lessons learned during COVID that has helped students deal with the chaotic weather this week.

With several inches of snow, cold temperatures, and freezing rain, much of the region has been shut down this week. That includes school campuses.

But high school students at King’s Way are still learning — from home.

In 2020, schools had to pivot to distance learning. King’s Way Christian administrators have done the same this week, preparing their students for final exams next week.

“KW was able to adjust from in-person instruction to distance learning this week,” wrote Jason Tindol, the superintendent. “Teachers, support staff, students, and families adjusted well to the ‘pivot.’”

He credited Allison Hillstrom, the high school’s principal, and the entire King’s Way family, for their ability to adapt, using distance learning to keep students on track with learning and not losing instructional time.

Snow and ice called off schools around Clark County, but high school students at King’s Way Christian Schools quickly pivoted to distance learning, lessons learned by the school during the pandemic. Photo by Paul Valencia

This week, distance learning includes uploading video links (existing videos and videos created by teachers), and altering how work is submitted, Tindol wrote.

It was not a perfect transition to distance learning, he added. After all, students and staff are no longer accustomed to distance learning.

“This week has been an excellent opportunity to brush up on our online learning options and encourage our high school students to focus on our school information systems and student email communication with faculty and staff,” Tindol wrote.

The weather still presented some challenges, though. Some families lost internet connection, and others lost power. Teachers will decide on a grace period for those students.

Tindol noted that the pandemic helped prepare King’s Way Christian for this week’s weather.

“At King’s Way, high school is not closed due to inclement weather,” Tindol wrote, noting a willingness to carry on with studies.