The Press-Dispatch
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Teachers at Otwell Miller Academy find positive ways to deal with COVID issues By Sherri Sebella Otwell Miller Academy fifth grade teacher Valerie Schoppenhorst has learned to be creative when it comes to dealing with COVID issues. From in- teractive learning to social distancing, teachers throughout the world have faced many obstacles since the start of the pan- demic. "We're all in this long-lasting pandemic together," Schoppenhorst said. "I think of our students. We have good parents and guardians who work hard for their chil- dren and yet, there can be almost insur- mountable challenges for our students." Whether students have lost loved ones to COVID, or their parents or guardians have lost jobs, whether they have become ill themselves, or teachers have gotten COVID, students in general have had to deal with many unfamiliar situations over the past two years. While both Schoppenhorst and her husband are vaccinated and have re- ceived the booster shots, Schoppen- horst's husband got COVID in January of this year. She also thinks having the booster shot helped them. Rich Padgett, Principal for Otwell Mill- er Academy since Fall of 2018, has had a little time of normalcy before COVID hit. "COVID is a bigger challenge for ru- ral schools," Padgett said. "We were for- tunate that when they mandated us to close in Spring of 2020, we did, but we used blended learning, that included paper packets, ZOOM meetings, Goo- gle Meets, lessons online, recorded les- sons, and we opened up the lobby to have students pick up and drop off packets for those who didn't have the necessary tech- nology. By Fall, we were back live and have been ever since, and that was our advantage." "I'm still excited about being here," Schoppenhorst said. "I am encouraged that people are thinking of us. We san- itize like crazy, take temperatures at the door every morning, and hand san- itize throughout the day. Teachers wear masks, but it is optional for the kids." Schoppenhorst was concerned about the level of stress students were fac- ing between wearing masks and going through a pandemic. "We had to figure out a way to make space to take a breath- er," Schoppenhorst said. "The masks would get to be too much. We would let them go out in the hallway to take deep breaths and cool down their faces. At the beginning, when COVID hit, those kids were worried not so much about them- selves, as they were their grandparents and parents. They wondered what they would do if something happened to them from having COVID. We let them know that they could talk to us at any time. If they felt overwhelmed, they could go to the office or nurse. We also did relaxing meditation." Reinforcing the idea that no mat- ter what, the teachers and staff would be there for them, and that everything would be okay, was the number one pri- ority of staff at Otwell Miller Academy according to Schoppenhorst. "For students and staff, I feel there's someone for everyone, from the lunch la- dy, the bus drivers, teacher's aides, and other staff, everyone has someone they can talk to," Padgett added. "We were able to add staff instead of losing staff. Every classroom has an aide." Padgett feels that everyone is more in tune with what to do if they were ever forced to close again. "We have a great relationship with the Pike County Health Department," Padgett said. "We talk of- ten if we have any concerns. Education in general is taking steps such as live streams, so grandparents and others can see what is happening, such as when we play sports or have special events. We looked forward to parents being in- volved at school, but we haven't been able to have people in and out." "We are doing our best to stay on top of technology and stay as current as possi- ble, since we stop at fifth grade," Schop- penhorst said. "We want them to be pre- pared when they go to the next school." READER GUIDE Subscriptions: Change of address: subscribers changing addresses will please give old address as well as new one along with phone number. We cannot guarantee prompt change unless this is done. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Press-Dispatch., P.O. Box 68, Petersburg, IN 47567-0068 or e-mail to subscribe@ pressdispatch.net. Subscription rates: One year: $35 for Pike County and all 475/476 zip codes; $38 in the state of Indiana; $55 elsewhere in the USA. Paid in advance. Subscriptions taken after noon on Friday will not receive a paper until the second edition after their subscription date. About us: Andy Heuring and John B. Heuring, Publishers Andy Heuring, Editor John B. Heuring, Adv. Mgr. Sherri Sebella, Reporter Eric Gogel, Production Mgr. Cindy Petty, Adv. Sales Pam Lemond, Adv. Sales Brakston Farrar, Designer • • • Published every Wednesday by the Pike County Publishing Co. Phone: 812-354-8500 820 E. Poplar St., P.O. Box 68, Petersburg, IN 47567-0068 • • • Entered in the Post Office in Petersburg, Indiana for transmission through the mails as Periodical Mail, postage paid at Petersburg, Indiana – published weekly. (USPS 205-620) Canton Capehart, fifth grade student at Otwell Miller Academy, is one of many who have continued to suc- ceed, despite the long-lasting effects of dealing with COVID. "COVID is a bigger challenge for rural schools," Rich Padgett, Principal of the charter school, said. "We were fortunate that when they mandated us to close in Spring of 2020, we did, but we used blended learning, that included paper packets, ZOOM meetings, Goo- gle Meets, lessons online, recorded lessons, and we opened up the lobby to have students pick up and drop off packets for those that didn't have the necessary technology. That Fall we were back live and have been ever since, and that was our advantage." Students throughout Valerie Schoppenhorst's fifth grade classroom at Otwell Miller Academy have all been af- fected by COVID, whether it be the loss of a loved one, someone they love, losing a job, or experiencing COVID first-hand. "At the beginning, when COVID hit, those kids were worried not so much about themselves, as they were their grandparents and parents," Schoppenhorst said. "They wondered what they would do if something happened to them from having COVID. We let them know that they could talk to us at any time. If they felt over- whelmed, they could go to the office or nurse. We also did relaxing meditation." Something newsworthy? Email news@pressdispatch.net The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, Feburar y 23, 2022 A-3 LOCAL Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg NEWS BRIEFS Petersburg Community Church offers free haircuts Petersburg Community Church, 420 E Illinois St., will offer a Free Community Meal and Haircuts on Sunday, February 27 after their 10 :10 a.m. service. Students from The Salon Professional Academy and two Educators will be doing haircuts for anyone who would like one. A cake walk will also take place. Join Pike County Purdue Extension WalkIn' Program Walking is a popular form of physical activity- and good for your health! Are you looking to make a change in your lifestyle? Need some motivation but don't have time to at- tend a class? Get WalkIN' is a free e-mail based walking initiative being offered through Purdue Extension in Pike County. Participants can sign-up, walk on their own and receive e-mail support and information. Participants will be asked to complete two short online surveys. To learn more, contact Brooke Goble be email (bgoble5@purdue. edu) or phone (812-354-6838). Right to Life to host Diaper Drive Right to Life of Southwest Indiana (RTL SWIN) along with Churches for Life Will host the annual "Show Love from the Bottom Up" Diaper Drive that helps local preg- nancy centers restock on diaper supplies. In 2021 almost 31,000 diapers were distributed to the centers. This year the distribution will include Birthright, Evansville Christian Life Center and Trotter House, Lit- tle Lambs and the Gabriel Project in Evansville, and Mar- sha's Place in Henderson, K Y. "Helping pregnancy centers with practical needs such as diapers is one way we can be of assistance in the cause for life because we care about children born and unborn," said Mary Ellen Van Dyke, Executive Director for RTL SWIN. Donations of diapers and wipes can be dropped off at participating area churches or at the Right to Life Office at 20 NW Third Street, Suite 810 in downtown Evansville through the month of February. Monetary donations are being accepted online at www.rtlswin.org/diaperdrive or checks can be mailed to the RTL SWIN Office at 20 NW Third Street, Suite 810, Evansville, IN 47708. Historic Preservation Month photo contest The DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archae- ology (DHPA) is sponsoring the Historic Preservation Month photo contest again in 2022. The subject of entry photos must be in Indiana, be at least 50 years old, and be something that was designed/ built by people. It can be a building that's been restored to perfection or one that needs some love. The idea is to show the value of historic preservation. Photos of exclu- sively natural elements are not eligible. The photos should be JPEG files (less than 10MB). Each photo and the required entry form should be emailed to aborland@dnr.IN.gov as attachments. Photographers can submit up to three photos, but submit only one photo and entry form per respective email. For the complete rules and guidelines and the required entry form, visit our website. The contest deadline is Friday, April 1. Respect for Human Dignity • Quality • Justice • Stewardship • Compassionate Caring P F M 1003 East Illinois Street • Petersburg, IN 47567 • 812.354.3458 Now Offering DOT Physical Exams! Ben Stillman, D.O. Monday 8-7 • Tuesday 8-noon • Wednesday 10-7 • Thursday & Friday 8-5 eye exams • dry eye solutions prescription lenses • eye disease treatment Call to book your appointment today for safe in-offi ce treatment. Don't Neglect Your Eye Health. We're Open to See You Now! Dr. Clint Shoultz 715 S. 9th St., Petersburg 812-354-9400 Locally Owned and Operated