WHEELING — School safety, technology and student mental health are priorities as educators seek ways to best prepare students for the future, Wheeling Park High School Principal Meredith Dailer said.
When asked what trends are most important in education these days, Dailer immediately mentioned school safety.
“At the high school level, safety is paramount,” she said. “Students and their families need to feel safe while they are at school — both physically and mentally. A safe building culture is important, and having the safety measures in place also is important to the community.”
Educators also continue to learn more about new tools available to them for the classroom, and that instruction for teachers is necessary, she added.
“We continue to learn more and more about how to use technology, and the state puts out more training to help keep us aware,” Dailer said. “Managing technology is the trend. We have been blessed to go 1-1 with our Chromebooks.”
Beginning in third grade, each student in Ohio County Schools is equipped with a Chromebook for lessons and learning assistance.
At the start of the current school year, Ohio County Schools banned the use of cellphones in the classroom — though students do have access to their devices between classes and at lunch.
The policy has largely proven a success, according to educators.
“We’ve tackled cellphones, and how they can be used and shouldn’t be used in the classroom,” Dailer noted.