Educating Students During a Pandemic

A two-part interview with Superintendent Barry DePaoli

by Dennis Rahm

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched the lives of all of us and has triggered a series of actions and orders that have significantly changed the way in which we lead our day to day lives. Included in the early virus reactions was a decision made in March to close all schools in the State of Washington.

Lake Chelan School Superintendent Barry DePaoli recently visited with Dennis Rahm of LakeChelanNow for a two-part interview covering a wide range of topics on how things have changed for educators as they mobilized quickly to the need to close schools and instead move to a distance learning format for the teaching of students.

It this first interview segment DePaoli gives a firsthand account of what it has been like to guide the school district through these unprecedented times. He also talks about the upcoming “virtual” graduation plans, the extension of the school year, and also congratulates all those who have worked so hard in ensuring breakfast and lunch availability to all students in the district.

On Thursday (6/4), we will continue the conversation with Superintendent DePaoli and cover topics such as the social and emotional health concerns for students and staff as well as getting a glimpse of what might be in store for the 2020-2021 school year.