UMEI Christian High School Jumps Ahead In Adapting To COVID -19 Crisis
COVID-19 is changing the landscape of how we work together, interact with one another, and also how we learn.
UMEI Christian High School in Leamington has a new look and feel as they rely heavily on technology to help them connect with one another while practicing social distancing for the protection of our school community. Staff has valiantly made the adjustment to working from home to provide authentic learning for all of our students who are transitioning to online learning.
Students have a weekly schedule for each of their classes so they are able to connect with their teacher and peers at least twice a week. Principal, Sonya Bedal, comments, “It is my hope that this virtual connection will help students to stay engaged and remain productive. Maintaining academics is important, but maintaining our school community during this trying time is also vital for staff and students.”
For students to continue building on the concepts they have learned already, teachers are adapting their lessons and teaching in virtual classrooms using video conferencing.
Students work on projects at home and can record and submit oral assignments through the learning platform Schoology. Students upload assignments to their teachers for feedback and grading, and are able to take tests remotely.
Math teacher, Chani Wiens, states “in making the shift to online learning, it has been really important for the students to have structure similar to what we had in class. Because of our small class sizes, students are so familiar with my teaching style that it has been more manageable to translate our class community online. The trust that I was always available for extra help at school is now proving invaluable as they reach out to me virtually.”
In addition to completing their course work, UMEI students can find support through this difficult time in attending the daily virtual chapel offered by the school.
“Online learning has clearly demonstrated the resilience of our students at UMEI. Students in Canadian history class have displayed their initiative and resourcefulness in a whole new way, allowing the transition to an online platform to be seamless, bolstering their willingness to adapt to new situations and challenges they are presented with. ” – ” Darcy Bults, Teacher
Grade 12 student, Hannah Chacko, had this to say about the transition. “Overall, this experience has strengthened my skills as a student. I have more responsibility and accountability for my own education and have also learned to better manage my time. Looking forward as a post-secondary student, I believe I am preparing myself and will be ready to take on any challenges that come my way.”
UMEI parents would agree with the success of the transition to online learning and have voiced their gratitude with how seamless the process has been for their students.
Parent of a grade 10 student, Kathy Tiessen, write: “I have been very impressed with UMEI’s response to the current quarantine situation. UMEI staff did not skip a beat the first week back to study after March Break. That tells me that the staff and teachers spent their break preparing for online study. As a parent, I am so happy that they did! It has been a very scary experience for us all, especially our children. My daughter received such an inspiring letter from one of her teachers stating that she was in this situation with them and would support her students through this trying time. We all needed to hear that! The students and parents very much needed reassurance. UMEI has been able to maintain the school community even through quarantine and the response to the situation is a testimony in itself to the benefits of a small school dynamic.”
They are thankful they are able to make this transition manageable for their school community.
“No doubt teaching virtually is not the same as being face-to-face with our students, but we are making it work,” comments veteran science teacher, John Fittler.
Joel Warkentin adds this about one of his classes, “Revision groups in my Writer’s Craft class have worked very well over Zoom. We share our writing ahead of time and are able to share our revisions with each other as we discuss the pieces.”
Classes are continuing without hesitation and students are guaranteed the opportunity to earn credits for this semester.
Dr. Caroline Hamm mentions she is “impressed to see my daughter continue her studies throughout this COVID crisis, almost without skipping a beat. This is even more impressive because she is doing without any other supervision at home as both my husband and I are essential workers. She still submits all of her assignments and meets with teachers almost without change from before the pandemic. I am so impressed with the teaching staff and their willingness and ability to adapt quickly to this unprecedented event in our lives.”
As seen, UMEI parents continue to support our great teaching staff through this time of transition.
UMEI is a dynamic Christian Anabaptist school serving students in grades 9 to 12, that teaches and prepares students to live a life of purpose for Christ. This year, UMEI celebrates 75 years of education and partnership in the local community. No one would have ever guessed how differently education would look like in 2020!
It is important for their school community, staff, students, and parents alike, that they keep working together to find creative ways to keep their virtual doors open, stay connected and get through this difficult time together. That’s why online learning works at UMEI Christian High School.
Campus may be closed, but UMEI continues to welcome families through our admissions process. Programs are online and so are they!
For inquiries, please contact the Principal, Sonya Bedal, online.