POWERS, Michigan (WLUC) – A Menominee County school district has a new learning platform that school administrators say will help students who are struggling with in-person classes.
Travis Depuydt, superintendent of the New North Central Area Schools, says the program will be implemented at the North Central Area Junior & Senior High School to ensure all students have access to an education that is right for them.
“We understand the importance of in-person learning and the impact it can have on students,” Depuydt said. “But we also know that there is no one-size-fits-all model in education, which is what led us to develop the North Central Online Program.”
Depuydt says teens who are homeschooled or attending another virtual learning program are unable to participate in school activities, but the Jets’ online program is changing that.
“They have the flexibility to take their courses whenever they want,” Depuydt said. “They can still participate in extracurricular activities like athletics. They can come in and participate in our CTE program.”
Amanda Norkoli is the school’s new director of online learning. She has worked at Bark River-Harris Schools for the past 14 years. Four years ago, she launched a statewide online learning program. Now she’s bringing it to North Central students.
“It’s important that we don’t just send a student online and leave them to their own devices and expect them to be able to manage their schedule on their own,” she said.
The curriculum includes a roadmap with daily study plans to help new online learners stay on track.
“I think it’s really important that we maintain contact with our online students and then give them the opportunity to come into the building,” Norkoli said. “Also to get support and see their friends and socialize a little bit if they need that.”
Depuydt and Norkoli are setting up a dedicated classroom that will be redesigned for online learners, dual enrollment and anyone else who just needs a place to come and work on whatever they want at any time. Norkoli says she plans to remove most of the desks and replace them with rugs, floor cushions and lamps.
“It will just be a different environment, a quieter, more relaxed environment,” she said.
Depuydt says that unlike other third-party programs, the school’s online learning program is free.
“There are many benefits for students and families who choose to participate in our online program,” he said.
You can call Norkoli at 906-497-5226 or Depuydt at 906-498-7737, extension 101, to learn more or to register a student.
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