Fritzell

As the break from school reaches its fourth week, many parents and students are struggling to find educational opportunities. This may be even more of a challenge for older students or students who require more advanced material.

The Marshalltown Community School District Extended Learning Program continues to provide resources for students during the COVID-19 closure.

Marshalltown High School XLP teacher Susan Fritzell knows this is a difficult time for families and wants to help provide resources.

“MCSD has put out a great list of resources for all students in the district,” she said. “As XLP teachers we just wanted to include some additional possibilities targeted to our students through our Facebook page and other avenues, as we understand that this transition time can be challenging for families.”

The XLP team has been busy reaching out to parents and students through their Facebook page, weekly electronic newsletters with updates and advice, Google Classrooms with optional assignments, Zoom or Google conferencing with students working on projects and email or phone conversations with students and parents as needed.

The Facebook page, Extended Learning Program- XLP- Marshalltown Community School District, has many resources and links to educational sites for anyone to use. This includes demonstrational videos from the Science Center of Iowa, online AP exam review sessions, free online Ivy League courses and many other educational opportunities for students of any age.

Many activities that students already signed up for are progressing online, such as the MHS book club, which has established a virtual discussion.

Vanessa Engel, XLP teacher at Lenihan, is helping ensure her students are prepared for some of these activities.

“We have been communicating with parents and students via email regarding activities that students are already participating in such as Continental Math League and Word Master’s Challenge,” she said. “Parents and students are emailed the test, they take it, and then email the answers back for checking. We also have an ongoing Google Document for parents and students to access.”

According to Fritzell, this unfortunate break can be used as a time to explore educational pursuits.

“Just like we need to exercise our bodies to stay in physical shape, we need to exercise our minds to stay in mental shape. Mental challenges prevent boredom,” she said. “This extended break is actually a great time for students to be creative and pursue the learning that they never had time to pursue before.”

During this time when everyone is stuck inside, it is to become bored. While many pastimes are off limits, there is unlimited information on the internet. This is the time to learn a new hobby, read a book that has been on your list for years or learn about that topic you have always been curious about.

Deb Christenson, elementary XLP teacher, agreed it is a good time for learning, especially a less structured kind.

“I think it is an important time to recognize and promote everyday learning that occurs in daily life while staying connected with students and families,” she said.

Not all learning occurs in the confines of traditional education. Children can learn a lot by helping parents cook and measure out ingredients, playing outside and other day to day activities.

Engel expressed the hope that students will be able to take what they have learned and teach themselves during this time.

“It is our goal as a district and a program to create lifelong learners who are self directed and goal oriented. This is where our students have the opportunity to really put this to work,” she said. “We hope that we have guided our students well enough that they are growing those skills to focus and self direct beyond the four walls of our classrooms.”

Fritzell has been impressed with students’ commitment to their projects during the break.

“The Marshalltown School district cannot compel students to do online school work, but all of us teachers really want to encourage our students to continue learning on their own. Many of my students at MHS are choosing to continue to work on their online AP courses and their independent projects,” she said.

Learning is a great use of children’s ample free time and will help them avoid being behind in school. It is important, however, to not stress productivity over everything during this stressful time.

Children also have fear and confusion concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a difficult time for students as well and their minds may be preoccupied with other things besides school. This is also an opportunity for students who are busy during the school year to have some time to relax and spend time with family.

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Contact Anna Shearer at

ashearer@timesrepublican.com.