At the heart of Oregon State University, our provost recently shared a summary of plans for the upcoming fall semester. Honestly, the details were unexpected. I had held onto the hope that by September, life would resemble its former self, allowing my colleagues and me to return to campus, exchanging thoughts on classes and students, feeling as though we had narrowly escaped a crisis. However, the anticipated reality suggests a blend of remote and in-person learning, a strategy aimed at facilitating education while ensuring adequate space for social distancing.
This scenario at Oregon State mirrors trends seen across the country. According to NPR, simply reopening schools won’t be straightforward while the threat of COVID-19 persists. Integrating social distancing into everyday operations complicates even the most basic functions.
Take transportation, for instance. Just before everything changed in November, I joined my daughter’s kindergarten class for a play. The bus ride was filled with kids, and I remember texting my partner, “This bus smells like a virus.” With a full bus, maintaining even two feet of distance becomes impossible, let alone six. This raises questions: Will schools need more buses to accommodate spaced seating, or will parents be required to drop off their children, regardless of their work commitments? Clearly, these are pressing issues that school districts are currently grappling with.
Many schools are considering a hybrid model combining virtual and classroom learning, tailored to the specific needs of students. For example, New York Governor Mark Reynolds recently announced a partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to “reimagine schools,” which aligns with their ongoing support for technological advancements in education. This suggests that while our children may not be learning at home to the same extent as they have been, they will still engage in more online learning than they did prior to the pandemic.
As a parent, I long for my children to return to school. Like many others, I’m exhausted from balancing their education with my professional responsibilities. I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to keep kids safe and curb the spread of COVID-19, but the proposed school arrangements appear to create a complex scheduling puzzle that will undoubtedly complicate our lives later this year.
It’s important to recognize how many of us rely on schools and daycare during our working hours. Consider a staggered class schedule, where some students attend Monday and Wednesday, others on Tuesday and Thursday, and those with special needs on Fridays. This could facilitate social distancing within classroom limits. On days when students aren’t physically present, they would participate in remote learning. While this method enhances safety, it complicates the already challenging task of managing work commitments Monday through Friday.
NPR highlights that some schools are focusing on the needs of students rather than simply adjusting schedules for classroom space. For example, students in special education may receive priority for in-person instruction. Additionally, schools are considering the well-being of students who have experienced trauma or are at risk of domestic violence, ensuring they can access school-funded counseling services.
Ultimately, the priority remains the safety of our children, which requires a carefully coordinated approach. The resulting hybrid model of in-person and remote learning is likely to be messy as we navigate the educational landscape influenced by the pandemic. Parents will face frustrations as they try to make it all work, and any agreements reached in the fall will likely shift by winter.
However, consider this: it feels like just a blink ago that my children transitioned to learning from home while my partner and I adapted to working remotely amidst a chaotic world. While the situation has been uncomfortable, I believe our family is learning to adjust. As we prepare for the changes in the fall, we will once again adapt to a new normal—combo-learning.
We will figure it out, I promise. But we’re certainly entitled to express our frustrations along the way. For more insights on the evolving landscape of education and parenting, check out this related article and for those interested in more resources on at-home insemination, visit Make a Mom and Wikipedia for comprehensive information.
Summary:
The upcoming school year may see a shift towards a hybrid model of learning, combining in-person and remote education, due to ongoing concerns over COVID-19. Parents face new challenges as schools navigate the complexities of social distancing and student needs. While the situation is frustrating, families are learning to adapt to this evolving educational landscape.