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With COVID-19 the past few months, school has been called into question for our children with regard to having them physically attend due to safety and health reasons. According to statistics from APNORC University of Chicago, “46% of Americans believe schools need major modifications to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, and another 31% think they shouldn’t reopen for in-person learning at all.” Many of us as parents are probably on the fence of what to do, or some may have already made a decision. What are you deciding?
According to the New York Times, educators who are experienced with remote learning feel that closures for schools and switching to online learning pose a threat to children’s academic progress and social lives. On the flip side, there are concerns that sending children back to school may cause a surge in COVID-19 cases!
Just recently in Atlanta Georgia, a student posted a photo of a crowded hallway in her school showing very few students wearing masks. She says, “I was concerned for the safety of everyone in that building and everyone in the county because precautions that the CDC and guidelines that the CDC has been telling us for months now, weren’t being followed.”
If you follow the news regularly, Infectious Disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has spoken out about this numerous times and says that returning to school will work if safety measures are the top priority! Do you believe this? Are you willing to put masks on your children? Some parents do not want their children walking around with masks on, some even ademate about the whole mask wearing thing to begin with.
Many parents are also worried about their children falling behind academically. There are parents who go to work or work from home, who may be unable to give their children the much devoted time that’s needed to teach them and keep the learning routine going. They also worry about losing the counselling and school lunches.
What about the households who unfortunately do not have computers, and the technology needed to do learning at home? Can the tools needed be readily provided through numerous resources? So while it is safer at home, it’s still going to be a struggle for some.
In the meantime, the pandemic is not going to go away until an effective vaccine is widely available. We are in New Jersey and principals as well as the state’s supervisors association have made a public appeal for our Governor to have virtual only instruction to start the year, out of concerns that they will not have the necessary tools to safeguard the students and staff from this crazy virus! Locally to us in New York, the Governor has decided to reopen schools and to be honest I am quite surprised at that decision.
That being said, our family has decided to do remote learning at least for the remainder of the year. We are putting together schedules for the week, and different lesson plans and so forth to keep a good routine going because I too worry about our girls falling behind academically. Our 2 year old would have been starting preschool this year and because she won’t be getting the whole first time in school experience, I have to bring it here at home. Linked below are some resources that I am currently using to put customized lesson plans together.
Remember, regardless to what your decision is, you are NOT a bad parent! You have to ultimately do what is best for your children and for yourself as well. Everyone has different circumstances and every household is different! So decisions based on those circumstances should be RESPECTED by others. Parents share your thoughts below on what you will be doing for the new school year and don’t forget to take the poll above!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Toddler-Learning-Binder-5057524
TARA PITTMAN says
I just hope that my boys will be able to excell with online learning. It is going to be tough but my boys are up for a challenge.
amberl.hurley says
Yes I’m sure they will do well!
Jessica Joachim says
I think it is important that all of us remember we all have different situations. I have decided to do on campus for my daughter, but she goes to a very small private school which makes me feel better about my decision. At this point I think we are all playing it by ear doing the best e can 🙂
amberl.hurley says
I wish your daughter a healthy and safe school year mama!
Tieska says
First, I recognize the items in your photo from Target’s One Spot. They get me EVERY time! I have a rising kindergartener and a three year old who had gotten into the Montessori school that most of our state tries to get into. I went to six elementary schools to find the one that was right for my kindergartener. However, we pulled them both out and have decided to homeschool. Honestly, I wanted to homeschool them anyway, but I wanted it to be by choice and in different circumstances. None of this is easy for anyone. I wish you all the best.
amberl.hurley says
Yes I had to get them hahaha target is a go to for school items right now! And I’ve also heard of the Montessori schooling and I like it! I wish you the best as well dear!
Cocoa Mom says
We are doing remote learning as well. It will be difficult with three kids. I’ve created lessons, projects, and I have field trip ideas to keep the kids engaged.
amberl.hurley says
Oh that’s so awesome and fun!! Three kids too?! You got this mama!
Nancy says
I think everyone is feeling super wary about each decision, whether it be home-school, or sending them back. It’s a tough choice for parents of school aged children this year. Oof.
amberl.hurley says
Yes absolutely!!
Sylvie says
My kids started school formally last September for the first time and I really wanted my three year to start but I have not heard anything from the district about which direction they’re going and what safety measures will be put in place, so I may have to go from full to part time working from home so I can homeschool… we’ll see how it goes. Unfortunately not all parents have the option to work from home and like you said all decisions have to be respected. Thanks for the resources btw. 😘
amberl.hurley says
Absolutely! Thank you for reading and I wish you guys the best with homeschooling!
joanna says
I can imagine that it is very hard for parents at the moment to deal with their children’s study schedule, especially when they have a job to do as well to support the family. It’s a very hard decision if to continue with remote learning or send their children to school, if they open.
amberl.hurley says
Very true! Hard times out here!
successunscrambled says
My daughter is in her final year of high school and she has state exams next year which she needs to do to get a place in college so I don’t have a choice as she needs to go to school as she is finding it difficult to cope with schooling at home plus she developed jaw pain and headaches from the constant screen time.
Monidipa says
Even in India online learning had been there since April and schools are opening from 1st sept. I am worried what might happen.
Debranetta says
We ate remote learning this yeat. It’s going to ba a challenge but we ate preparing as best as possible.
Ronalyn says
We decided on remote learning. It’s definitely gonna be a challenge but we are up for the challenge
Belinda | @inquiettrust says
Great post and great resources linked. We are doing a partial remote/partial homeschool learning with our little ones as well.
amberl.hurley says
Thank you for reading, and I wish you and your children a great school year!
Rosey says
Our school gave laptops to every child who needed one and a local company gave them free internet. It was amazing and outside of just a couple of glitches worked great. I do see the dilemma… on both sides. I’m scared for school to start back up here.
amberl.hurley says
Oh that’s amazing!! I hope you guys have a great school year!!
Vaibhav Mehta says
Considering the circumstances, in person homeschooling seems like the better and safer choice and I don’t even have kids!
Cristina says
We live in Spain and schools will be opening from September. I haven’t decided what to do yet. I am not sure how they are going to keep kids safe from this virus in the classroom, on the other hand, my toddler desperately needs social interaction. It’s a tough one.