Beatrice Public Schools teachers, staff receive Covid vaccine

BEATRICE - Nearing the one-year anniversary of going to remote learning, Beatrice Public School teachers and staff were getting their coronavirus vaccinations on Friday.

The shots were being offered by nursing staff, starting at Beatrice High School, then at the Middle School and elementary buildings.
Superintendent Jason Alexander says there’s been a lot of adjustment over the past year…and that goes for the vaccine, as well.
"We initially thought we were going to have the Moderna or Pfizer Vaccine and have to plan for two separate innoculation dates. But, on Wednesday we found out we were getting the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine...and could just plan for one date and get all of our staff through. It's been that way all year long, trying to pivot from one thing to the next."

Alexander says about 225 teachers and staff members in the district signed up to get the vaccine, which was voluntary. The single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine made it easier from a scheduling standpoint.  "It's good news for our staff just from the standpoint that it's a one-shot, and they're done. But, for logistic purposes it made it a lot easier for us, as well....so it worked out really well."

Teachers are finishing one year of adjusting on the fly, as buildings were initially closed, then learning moved to a hybrid mode…..some in-person, some online instruction. Beatrice High School Media Specialist Carol Oltman says it’s been a big challenge.

"It's difficult to wear masks...it's difficult to do hybrid teaching where we have some kids that are remote learning and some kids who are in the classroom. The technology piece has gone way up for teachers. They learned a lot."

Oltman, who did a lot of virtual training with teachers, said the adjustment was uncomfortable for some. But the pandemic produced the beneficial outcome of higher technology skills for staff.

"We have Google Classroom now, I would say 99-percent of our teachers use Google Classroom which is a management system. All of our teachers put their assignments, their lecture notes...many of them videotape their lectures, themselves. And, then they'll post it on their Google Classroom. So, if s student is absent for a sport or an activity, or if they're ill and have to be remote...or because a parent is ill...they can still access the lesson no matter where they're at or any time of the day. So, that's been a really positive thing that's come out of Covid."

Oltman said those skills will apply beyond the pandemic, even though she says kids still need to be in the classroom for the interaction and social skills with their peers.  As for the single-shot vaccination for staff, Oltman calls it a “real positive” for which teachers have responded well. She says getting the shot is the right thing to do for the school.