Cue “Pomp and Circumstance”
It might be hard to believe, but you did it. The Spring 2020 semester is complete, and classes are in the process of coming to completion. Amarillo College celebrated its 100th year by hosting its first virtual commencement ceremony. West Texas A & M University also recently held their online ceremony.
Local public schools are closing the books on the school year as well. Students have been carefully scheduled to come and clean out their lockers and return school property. Amarillo Independent School District and Canyon Independent School District have scheduled commencements, and surrounding communities in the Texas Panhandle have done the same. It almost feels like the end of a normal school year. Almost.
The Class of 2020 is set to celebrate its accomplishments. However, these graduates, and really all students in our schools this spring, still have to suffer through one more unfairness created by COVID-19. Graduation ceremonies this spring have either been moved to ceremonies conducted online or in the presence of very few people. Pretty ironic, considering the commencement ceremony is traditionally a chance to gather the many people it took to help each student get across the finish line of one part of their education.
Panhandle PBS was glad to help spread the word about how many in our community have contributed to educational efforts during these past few weeks. Our partnership with Amarillo Independent School District and Region 16, alongside local support from the Mary E. Bivins Foundation and Education Credit Union, made it easier on teachers and students, as well as parents with lessons conducted remotely through the At Home Learning content aired on our station.
At the end of every semester or school year, teachers and institutions usually seek feedback from learners to find ways to make improvements to the instruction process. It’s in that spirit that we want to hear from you. If you used any of the PBS Learning Media content, or if your children watched any of the At Home Learning content that aired over the past few weeks, Panhandle PBS would love to hear from you.
What content worked well, or what didn’t resonate with you? Was there a particular PBS show or character that your child favored during this time? Please send an email to panhandlepbs@actx.edu with “PBS At Home Learning” in the subject line. We’ll use that feedback to better prepare our content as students to go back to school, hopefully in person, in a few weeks. In the meantime, we’ll have more activities to tell you about during the summer.
“Our job as leaders, teachers, and parents is not to prepare kids for something; our job is to help kids prepare themselves for anything.” — A.J. Juliani
Many people, including teachers, parents and especially students, adapted quickly to the details of learning in a new way. Panhandle PBS hopes you’ll look back on this spring and celebrate your accomplishments. You did it – together while not always in the same place. For now, enjoy some well-deserved rest. The fall semester will be here soon!
Brian Frank
Panhandle PBS Content Producer
