Sixth-grader Zoe Harkness has stayed connected to the Warwick Valley Middle School through the technology provided by the Distance Learning Academy. Zoe is the focus of this week’s Superintendent’s Spotlight.
Sixth-grade student Zoe Harkness has been taking full advantage of the virtual classroom and extracurricular opportunities available through the district’s Distance Learning Academy this year. She has thoroughly impressed Principal Georgianna Diopoulos, who notes Zoe’s independence and proactive approach to her studies for the success she has had learning during quarantine.
Zoe and her mom, Alicyn Harkness, have both been working from home this year, enjoying their family version of a co-working space.
“Zoe’s been in an environment where she understands what being independent and working from home and being productive looks like,” said Ms. Harkness, who appreciates the tools and guidance the District has provided for its remote learning students to succeed.
Zoe found she enjoyed using the organizer to keep track of her days and schedule her work, and she’s made a seamless transition to the Google Suite, including its own scheduling capabilities. She credits the district’s technology for helping her be self-driven and stay connected as a Distance Learning Academy student.
“It was a little hard staying in touch when people first went back to school on hybrid, but with Google Meets we’ve been able to work on homework together and stay in touch,” said Zoe, who likes the way Google Meets and the other District-approved communication technologies have helped keep the classroom feeling alive during the pandemic.
Zoe, who has managed a streak of three marking periods on High Honor Roll incidentally, has used the tech platforms available to her to stay active and up-to-date in her classes, as well as in band, chorus, and guitar club. She finds the ability to download sheet music and record her performances particularly useful.
Ms. Harkness said that by embracing the technology used day-to-day in the DLA, Zoe’s computer literacy and abilities have gone through the roof this year. She has even put her new technology communication skills to work outside the virtual classroom.
“Since Covid, in general, I think I’ve talked online more with my friends and my family members in faraway places than I ever did before, and that’s been great too,” she said.
Zoe’s independent streak and inquisitiveness have led her to address this year’s challenges as opportunities, and she’s made the most of her DLA resources on her way to a successful year.
“Studying from home worked for me. I am looking forward to hopefully going back to the Middle School in the fall, but first, I’m looking forward to summer!”
