Whether they’re learning in person, online, or a combination of the two, school looks a lot different for kids across the country this year. As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc, 11 of the 50 largest school districts in the country have implemented a fully remote learning model as of October. Schools and families have had to work together to make sure kids continue to learn from home, and everyone is feeling the impact. Teachers have had to find creative ways to engage kids online, parents have to manage the demands of their careers while supporting their children’s e-learning, and kids have had to adjust to more time in front of the screen and less time with friends.
As a working mother of two elementary school-aged children, I’ve had my share of frustrations about e-learning. I don’t regret keeping my 8 and 10-year-old at home this year, but I didn’t anticipate the toll it would take on my entire family. When we were thrust into the virtual learning environment last spring, we were all looking forward to a break from our chaotic daily routine. I couldn’t wait to enjoy the quick commute to the makeshift classroom we’d set up in the dining room. And my kids were excited about the idea of sleeping in and not having to wear their uniforms.
But as the months wear on and the future is uncertain, cracks are beginning to develop in our rosy outlook. I’ve struggled to manage the responsibilities of my job while making sure my kids are keeping up with their classwork. My fifth-grader misses her friends and the perks that come with being in her last year of elementary school. And my third-grader is missing out on the speech therapy sessions that have helped him manage his anxiety at school since Kindergarten.
I know our situation isn’t unique. I know that a lack of access to high-speed internet and learning devices is disproportionately impacting the Black community and making virtual learning nearly impossible for some families. And I know that cities and towns across the country are being forced to come up with their own solutions without support and guidance from the federal government. So I wanted to talk to teachers and other parents about how they’ve been coping in this digital learning environment.
I spoke with Dee, a marketing professional and mom of a 9-year-old, who says she knows her son is missing out by not being in the school building. “He’s an only child, so he isn’t getting to interact with any other kids,” she says. “I used to have strict rules around screen time, but at the end of the day, I don’t even have the energy to try to enforce them anymore.” Dee feels that her son is not getting the attention he needs in a virtual learning environment and that her demanding job won’t allow her to fill in the gaps. She’s worried that he will start fourth grade behind the rest of his classmates.
But Tinisa Huff, principal at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Forest Park, IL, is a little more optimistic. “Based on our district-wide assessment in the fall, very few students have suffered any learning loss. Most students are where they were academically when the school buildings closed in March of last year,” she said. Huff says her school will use the data from the assessment to differentiate instruction and prevent students from falling behind. She adds that her school is doing its best to reach out to the school community during this difficult time and praises the school’s social worker for keeping families connected to the school while they are away from the building.
Parents may be stressed out by the new learning model, but Huff says it’s important to remember that your kids are dealing with stress of their own. She says parents should be supportive and allow children to talk about their feelings. “Be patient. Don’t expect that remote learning will look like a typical school day,” she says.
Lastly, Huff encourages parents to remember that your children’s teachers are being asked to do something that has never been done before. Keep the lines of communication open and view them as partners in your child’s education. “It wouldn’t hurt to thank the teachers for all they are doing. Virtual lessons take more time to plan, and can be more difficult for teachers who aren’t tech-savvy,” she says.
I don’t know what the future will look like, but I’m preparing to accept that some form of virtual learning may become part of our new normal. This experience has given me a new appreciation for teachers, and made me wish I’d paid more attention in math class.