Skip to main content

Sugar House Journal

Dilworth Elementary students, staff adjust to soft closure

Jun 15, 2020 13h28 ● By Jerilyn Langston Toro

Dilworth Elementary teachers (L to R) Elizabeth Arnold, Jane Bergstedt and Louise Bitner followed the 6-foot social distancing rule during packet drop off. (Jerilyn Langston Toro/City Journals)

By Jerilyn Langston Toro | [email protected]

On May 11, Dilworth Elementary had their packet drop off for their kindergarten students. The event was called “We had a ball.”  

Since the soft closure of this school year, Dilworth teachers and faculty had to find creative ways to stay connected with parents and students but still follow recommended guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“It’s amazing how well we handled the situation with such an abrupt stop,” said kindergarten teacher Jane Bergstedt.

Bergstedt referred to not only the school’s prompt response on handling the soft closure, but she was also amazed how fast her students and parents adapted to the change. During the packet pick up the teachers were able to briefly meet with their kindergarten students to go over any concerns they or their parents may have. They wanted to also wish their students a safe and fun summer vacation.

The Salt Lake School District provided learning packets for grades K-third. Also, for every two students in the home, one laptop was provided to students in grades second through sixth. The packets provide a better learning experience for students who have not fully acquired the skills of how to navigate CANVAS, the computer program used to assign and submit schoolwork.  

Kindergarten student Marshall stopped by with his parents to say thank you to his teacher and to drop off his packets. He was excited to receive a beach ball to play with during the summer break and so far has enjoyed his first year in school.