As an employee at a state university, I was recently presented with a plan overview for the upcoming fall semester, and I must admit, it was not what I had anticipated. There was a part of me that hoped for a return to normalcy by September, with my colleagues and I happily resuming our routines on campus, discussing classes and students as if nothing had happened. However, the current plan at my university suggests a blend of online and in-person instruction, aimed at educating students while ensuring adequate space for social distancing.
This scenario at my university reflects a broader trend across the nation. As reported by NPR, reopening schools will not simply entail unlocking the doors, especially with COVID-19 still posing a significant threat. The complexities of maintaining social distance complicate even the most basic operations.
Take transportation, for instance. Just last November, I chaperoned my daughter’s kindergarten class on a field trip. I remember texting my partner, “This bus smells like a virus.” On a full bus, it’s impossible to maintain a safe distance of two feet, let alone six. Will school districts need to increase the number of buses to allow for spacing, or will parents be expected to handle drop-offs regardless of their work commitments? These are pressing questions that districts are currently grappling with.
The prevailing approach seems to be a hybrid model that incorporates both virtual and classroom learning. The specifics will vary from one school to another, depending on the needs of the students. Recently, the governor of New York announced an initiative in collaboration with a prominent educational foundation to “reimagine schools.” This initiative aligns with various technological advancements in education, suggesting that while our children may not be learning solely from home, they will still engage in remote learning more than they did last fall.
I want my kids back in school. Like many parents, I find it challenging to balance teaching them while managing my own work responsibilities. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep them safe and curb the spread of COVID-19, but the potential arrangements proposed by schools seem like a complicated puzzle that could further complicate our family schedules.
It’s clear that many of us depend on schools and daycare as we work. For instance, staggered class schedules—where some students attend on certain days while others come in on alternate days—could help manage social distancing within the available classroom space. On days when students are not attending in person, they would participate in remote learning. While this strategy enhances safety, it also creates challenges for working parents who are expected to be in the office five days a week.
Some schools are prioritizing student needs over a rotating schedule when it comes to classroom access. Students in special education programs, for example, may receive priority for in-person instruction. Furthermore, schools are also considering the well-being of students who have faced trauma or are at risk of domestic violence, ensuring they can access essential support services.
The paramount concern in all of this is the safety of our children, which necessitates a complex system that may not operate perfectly. A combination of in-class and remote learning appears to be our future, as educational institutions navigate the challenges of teaching during a pandemic. Parents will undoubtedly face frustrations as they try to adapt, and whatever plans are established for the fall may well evolve by winter.
Despite the discomfort caused by these changes, I find solace in the fact that my family has managed to adapt to our current situation. It has been tough, but we’ve adjusted. As we prepare for another transition in the fall, we will have to embrace this new norm of hybrid learning. Somehow, we will find a way to make it work—though we are certainly allowed to vent about it a little.
For further insights on navigating these changes, check out this informative blog post and explore additional resources on pregnancy and hormonal support here.
Summary:
As schools prepare for the fall semester amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a hybrid learning model combining online and in-person instruction is likely to become the new norm. This approach aims to balance educational needs with safety protocols, presenting challenges for parents and school districts alike. While adjustments will be necessary, families are adapting to this evolving landscape.