December 17, 2024
Local News | The Times
Local News

PHOTOS: Ottawa Elementary begins 2020-2021 school year

By Derek Barichello
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Teresa MacDavitt, school counselor, talks with students as they wait for the bus at Shepherd Junior High School in Ottawa following the first day of school. MacDavitt, who is starting her final year before retirement, asked the seventh and eighth graders to raise their hand and rate their level of anxiety when they first entered school Wednesday morning. As she announced each number a few hands throughout those gathered would raise. Then she asked them to rate their anxiety after their first day. Again, hands raised with each number, however the level of anxiety decreased. She finished up by giving the quiet students standing on painted yellow dots, spaced for social distancing, highlighting their strength and ability to do hard things. (Annette Barr)

One day at a time.

That's how Ottawa Elementary parents, students and staff are approaching the 2020-2021 school year.

The school year started Wednesday with several guidelines in place for screening students, wearing masks and practicing social distancing, in order to maintain in-person learning.

Ottawa elementary schools will attend in-person learning for half days Monday through Friday.

Following the first day of school, Teresa MacDavitt, school counselor, talks with students as they wait for the bus at Shepherd Junior High School in Ottawa.

MacDavitt, who is starting her final year before retirement, asked the seventh and eighth graders to raise their hand and rate their level of anxiety when they first entered school Wednesday morning. As she announced each number a few hands throughout those gathered would raise.

Then she asked them to rate their anxiety after their first day. Again, hands raised with each number, however, the level of anxiety decreased.

She finished up by highlighting for the students standing on painted yellow dots, spaced for social distancing, their strength and ability to do hard things.