Letter to the Editor: The use of DSA
First, I have to point out that the initials used in a recent letter: D.S.A. could easily stand for the Divided States of America. I sincerely hope that doesn’t happen; but if you approach the next four years with an attitude, it might become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Next, Hybrids. The Empire apple is a cross between a McIntosh and a Red Delicious. It is a hybrid. Other hybrids are the Honda Insight, and the Toyota Prius. Both cars are extremely quiet, with little or no emissions, during stop-and-go city driving. Both have small, but efficient gasoline engines to boost the generator that supplies the power for highway speeds. That combination of gas engine and a battery set makes them hybrids.
Plumas Unified, the local charter schools, many other districts in California, the rest of the U.S., and some other countries, have, of necessity, adopted “Hybrid” learning plans. By late in August the rate of infection from the novel Coronavirus was rising. Which compelled the schools to begin the year online. By October, the rate of infection had moderated, so the decision was made to teach in small groups, masked and socially-distanced. Classes were split into Mon.-Wed. or Tue.-Thurs. and A.M. or P.M. attendees. All students had a required, Friday, online check-in. Anecdotal reports indicated that motivated students adapted well to the hybrid system and learned quickly. Other students demonstrated a need for improvement, but that shows the importance of the Friday check-in.
Unfortunately the rate of infection greatly increased in November, including some local students and members of school staffs, which forced a return to online only learning. It seems to me that administrators and teachers have done a yeoman’s job of innovating a new model of education. As the old saying goes: “Necessity is the mother of invention.” That is why it is insulting, and inaccurate, for someone to make false accusations about “dumbing down,” closing the schools.
Gene Nielsen
Crescent Mills