OELWEIN, Iowa (KCRG) – About four years ago, COVID-19 forced the Oelwein Community School District – like many others – to move its classes and curriculum online.
For most, it was new territory. But for Oelwein, it was an opportunity to try something new.
“We were looking for alternatives to provide children with education outside of face-to-face classes and that’s how O2, or Oelwein Online, was born,” said Oelwein’s superintendent Josh Ehn.
The program is essentially an online version of the district’s standard curriculum and offers the same courses and qualifications.
In addition, the course is not only open to Oelwein students. Any resident of Iowa can enroll.
Principal Connie Adams says this is a way to reach out to students who are unable to cope with or access face-to-face instruction at school, such as children with anxiety, young parents, former school dropouts and children with common health problems.
“The last thing we want is for them to isolate themselves. We know that if they don’t feel comfortable, they’ll hide in a corner, not learn anything… So we give students the flexibility to still graduate on time,” Adams said.
Because it is an online school, some critics complain that students do not learn the social and interpersonal skills that they acquire through interacting with others in the classroom.
However, Adams says they took this into account when designing the program, setting aside time for special social hours and even organizing field trips.
The school also has its own building where students can come if they need extra help or a quiet place to work.
Jill Shannon, mother of an O2 student, says it has made a huge difference to her daughter’s school life… helping her go from frequent absenteeism to being a straight-A student.
“I think she’s really found her rhythm. I think she’s really found friends with the social zooms… You can do things many different ways and still be successful,” Jill Shannon said.
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