Learning during COVID-19: Messmer Catholic Schools
A well-timed spring break afforded time for planning and prep — now 90% of students participate in daily online learning
By: Isral DeBruin
As schools shift to serve students remotely during the COVID-19 crisis, some are emerging as standouts. These schools aren’t stopping at basic worksheet packets and instead are offering students coordinated, school-wide, comprehensive distance learning. City Forward Collective is highlighting these schools to spread best practices and encourage others to keep students moving forward.
Messmer Catholic Schools caught a bit of a break when schools closed statewide in mid-March.
Spring break for the three-school K4-12 network was scheduled March 14–22. That was fortunate, as the timing allowed Messmer’s staff an opportunity to create a plan for how they would serve students.
Messmer launched online learning with daily teacher-led instruction on March 26, a few days after students would have otherwise returned from break. Attendance the first week was about 75%. School staff set to work distributing Chromebooks to students without home computers, and daily attendance improved to 90%.
With distance learning fully launched, students resumed learning. Teachers picked up with virtual lessons aligned to the school network’s curriculum.
The Messmer team has stayed flexible, adapting the plan in response to the needs of the school’s community. When high school students shared that they were feeling overwhelmed with the level of online instruction, Messmer listened, adjusting the schedule to make Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays full instructional days, with Wednesdays open for students to catch up on assignments, seek extra help, and meet individually with teachers.
Besides core academics, students also receive instruction and activities in art and physical education. Teachers also read stories, throw video dance parties, and host ‘after school’ tutoring sessions. Students can also access help with the college application and scholarship processes. Online prayer services and virtual assemblies also help maintain school culture.
In keeping with its mission, the Messmer team has been intentional in serving its students as children and people first, and as young scholars second. Two meals are available each school day for Messmer students and others in the community. For school families without access to transportation, Messmer is using school buses to deliver printed learning materials and meals. Every single one of Messmer’s 1,500+ students and their families received a personal phone call from their teacher, a guidance counselor, and a school administrator. The school also provides regular updates by email, snail mail, text messages, social media, and through its website to regularly share instructions and resources for learning, and information about community and health-related resources. The goal of this ‘saturation’ approach to communication was to ensure no one would be left wondering.
As the school year’s end nears, the Messmer team has been thoughtful about how they mark important milestones for students, especially those graduating high school. Last week, the Athletic Director spent six hours on the Messmer school bus, visiting the homes of each student athlete to surprise them with letters and awards. For Messmer’s class of 2020, teachers have been recording videos and volunteered to decorate the school’s windows with a display that can be seen by passersby. The recognition is well-deserved, as Messmer’s seniors boast acceptances to more than 92 colleges and universities, several enlistments in the armed forces, and four full-ride scholarships from All-In Milwaukee, which also provides additional resources and supports during college.
Now, the Messmer team is working on plans for summer school, with a goal of finding creative ways to bridge the learning gap and ensure students are ready for fall. This will include age appropriate summer care packages for every single student, with snacks and gifts like sidewalk chalk, board games, Legos, and journals. Messmer is currently collecting donations for the care packages. Contact the school to learn more.
FACTS & FIGURES
Messmer Catholic Schools operates three private Catholic schools accepting tuition vouchers through the Milwaukee Parental Choice, Wisconsin Parental Choice, and Special Needs Scholarship programs.
- Grades: K4–12
- Enrollment: 1,529 students
- Student demographics: 81.2% Black; 11% Latin@; 5.2% Asian; 2.1% Two or More Races; 0.5% White
- Students from economically disadvantaged households: 70.4%
- Students with special needs: 2.6%
- Students with limited English proficiency: 3.1%
- State rating: Meets Expectations
2018–19 data from Wisconsin School Report Card system
Isral DeBruin is director of strategy and communication at City Forward Collective. He is a former elementary school teacher and award-winning education reporter.
