When Legacy Traditional Schools hired Stephanie Becher as the principal of its new West Surprise campus in October 2019, neither the district nor the new principal could have imagined the school would open in early August without a single student roaming the halls.
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When Legacy Traditional Schools hired Stephanie Becher as the principal of its new West Surprise campus in October 2019, neither the district nor the new principal could have imagined the school would open in early August without a single student roaming the halls.
While virtually every school in the state began its academic year online, because state regulations mandated no in-person instruction before at least Aug. 17, Legacy West Surprise, 17300 W. Cactus Road, was one of a handful of campuses to debut with strictly online learning.
All 16 Legacy district schools allowed for in-person instruction beginning Aug. 24, though parents have an option of remaining online. But starting a school year with a new group of teachers, parents and students on distance learning presented a unique challenge.
“One of the major challenges and opportunities since March has been assimilating and training our teachers to succeed in an online learning environment. Our teachers are the primary lifters on this shift and are critical to the health and safety of our communities. How we manage this transition is vital for the health of our programs and the growth of our students,” Ms. Becher stated in an email interview.
She stated that LTSD worked extensively to develop a comprehensive COVID-19 mitigation plan district officials believe allows its students and teachers to return safely to the classroom.
This plan includes universal face-covering requirements for students, teachers and staff members; social distancing; enhanced sanitation protocols and other safeguards.
“Notably, parents retain the option to continue remote learning for their children, if they choose. The decision to provide a choice between in-person or remote learning was made in response to overwhelming demand from Legacy families — many of whom have expressed their preference for in-person instruction or say they are simply unable to continue with remote learning due to employment constraints or other challenges,” Ms. Becher stated.
Additionally, the district’s teachers are facilitating learning for in-person and online students. This allows for fewer students in the classroom and greater physical distancing.
“While we are confident this approach is the best option for students and teachers alike, we know that there will be a transition period. As we’ve expressed to our teachers, we’re committed to the continuous improvement of our instructional offerings while maintaining the health and safety of our schools,” Ms. Becher stated.
Demand in Surprise and Waddell drove Legacy to announce the new school in September 2019.
Enrollment capacity is 1,400 students at the West Surprise campus and 1,800 at the main Surprise campus.
“In 2015, Legacy announced its first Surprise campus near Bullard and Sweetwater avenues, which had a 950-student wait list when enrollment opened. Since then, we had our eye on the future with a plan for an additional campus that would meet the area’s growing needs and we’re pleased to bring a high quality education to more families in the Surprise area at our new West Surprise campus,” district spokesman Matthew Benson stated in an email.
Laurie Cosper was one of the local residents to jump in. Her daughter entered the third grade this year and moved to the new campus.
Her family decided her daughter was not being challenged academically in the local school. Legacy teaches a year ahead so ther Cospers felt this would be a much better fit, Ms. Cosper stated in an online interview.
“The principal called me to welcome me to the school when we were accepted. Our teacher talked me through our Schoology account set up. They’ve been great,” Ms. Cosper stated.
Richard Smith Associate Editor | Surprise & West Valley Preps @rsmithYWV
Richard Smith has been with Independent Newsmedia since 2016, and worked at a Sun City-based news outfit covering the Northwest Valley for 22 consecutive years.
An NAU alum and lifelong Arizona resident, Richard began as a copy editor and page designer at Surprise Today and the Daily News-Sun, then rekindled his love of sports writing by taking the reins on West Valley Preps in 2008.
For most of the mid-2010s he was the Surprise editor and West Valley Preps reporter. Now he’s the West Valley Preps Editor and Surprise Associate Editor.
As COVID restrictions slowly lift, Richard is cautiously optimistic he will visit book stores, football fields and gyms again this fall.
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