MNPS using virtual support system to help students during pandemic

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Many school districts are going the extra mile to make sure no student is left behind while learning at home.

In Nashville, students will have to stick to virtual learning until at least Labor Day, and Metro Nashville Public Schools is getting creative with a virtual support system.

According to the American School Counselor Association, guidance counselors are reaching out to families to let them know they are there for virtual support. In fact, MNPS has their own social-emotional learning playbook, which calls for students to be assigned to people called navigators, who will check on them by phone call or online every day.

Experts say programs like these help students not only academically, but in other ways such as fighting stress. These counselors also take some stress off teachers' plates by checking in.

“It's really compounded this year with health issues with concerns about the pandemic with concerns perhaps with being with large groups of people for the first time maybe since March,” said Eric Sparks, assistant director for the American School Counselor Association.

MNPS is also providing other ways to help students, like holding team exercises each morning. Click here for more information.