Despite not being in the classroom yet this year, students at Gibraltar Area Schools are still getting plenty of use out of a backpack. The district implemented the program this fall to address the concerns many parents had about the quality of instruction their students were receiving. Not even hot spots checked out by families were able to solve all of the area’s poor Internet issues. The district-issued backpack provides an extra layer of support for students with the assignments and other materials already packed away for the week. Superintendent Tina Van Meer says that could involve lectures in the future.

Backpacks are dropped off on Fridays with new materials and are picked up on Mondays filled with completed assignments. Van Meer has already notified parents and students that classes will remain virtual until at least October 7th due to the influx of cases. Gibraltar students need the number of new cases to be below 28 for the week in order to return to the classroom.

Picture courtesy of Gibraltar Area Schools