Wissahickon Begins 'Unprecedented' New Year Of Virtual Schooling

AMBLER, PA — The 2020 school year has brought unprecedented challenges to teachers, parents, and students at schools around the region amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. That includes the Wissahickon School District, where high schoolers and middle schoolers are beginning the year fully online.

The model has seen a mixed reaction from parents. School officials acknowledge its imperfections but say they're making the best of a bizarre situation.

"Are things perfect? Most definitely not. But in this unprecedented challenge for public education (and for society in general), we are making it work here in Wiss Nation," Superintendent James Crisfield told Patch.

After originally announcing a plan for hybrid education which would have allowed for some in person instruction, Wissahickon was forced to move to an all virtual model for high school and middle school due to a staffing shortage. The final plan was issued in mid-August.

>>Staffing Shortages Lead Wissahickon HS To Move Fully Online

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade are coming in to school for in-person instruction.

"They are having a very positive experience, with everyone paying a great deal attention to safety," Crisfield added.

In a Patch survey of Wissahickon School District parents, there was agreement that the in-person model was successful.

"Could not be going any better!" one parent commented. "Now we just need to get middle school and HS back full time!"

Reactions to the online classes for older students were less positive.

"The school district is doing the best they can but, frankly, it is not working," another parent said. "I have a middle schooler and high schooler in the WSD. Their mental health is suffering. They need social interaction with peers and teachers. Not everyone can learn online."

Other parents noted that students have had trouble focusing, and pointed to glitches in the software used by the district for courses.

>>Related: 7 Wissahickon Students Named 2021 National Merit Semifinalists

"Our other students are having a 100% virtual experience, and our teachers across the district, K-12, have a very positive, can-do mindset, and have been able to transfer their instructional expertise and excellence to the online world," Crisfield said.

You can view all of the responses related to our inquiry on the start of the Wissahickon school year here.