Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
MAINTAINING A CONNECTION
Thousands go to Broward schools to ready for online classes
Imam Sultan Moihuddin gives a Facebook Live lecture at the Islamic Foundation of South Florida in Sunrise on Friday after normal Friday prayers were canceled because the congregation is not able to meet in large groups because of the new coronavirus. He said that he wanted to maintain the community’s connection with the mosque, and even though people weren’t able to have prayer in person, they were still able to attend the mosque virtually.
Thousands of students and parents arrived at Broward schools to pick up computers Friday, readying for online classes amid the coronavirus outbreak. In some cases, it led to waiting in long lines and not keeping far enough apart to avoid the spread of disease.
The crowds arrived early Friday morning at some schools, resembling the type of gatherings seen at Apple stores the day a new iPhone is released.
But the need for this technology was far more serious and urgent. The pandemic has forced schools in Florida and around the country to shut down for at least the next few weeks, so districts are switching to an all-online method of teaching students.
The state has ordered schools closed at least through April 15. But Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said he expects longer delays, possibly until the end of the school year in June.
By early Friday evening, the district had lent about 64,000 Lenovo laptops or other devices. That’s about 29% of all students in district-run schools.
District officials expect most other students will use computers their families already have at home, although the district still has more than 25,000 computers that can be issued if needed. The district is planning a second distribution day soon for people who couldn’t attend Friday or if supplies ran out at their school.
The devices were paid for through a referendum that voters approved in 2014.
Students will be required to start taking their classes online March 30. Next week is spring break.
Runcie and School Board Chairwoman Donna Korn discussed the efforts at a news conference Friday at Walter C. Young Middle in Pembroke Pines, one of the more than 230 schools where students and parents received devices.
“Yes, our district’s campuses are closed, but instruction and learning is still open,” Runcie said.
When distributing the devices, Runcie and Korn said each school planned for social distancing, the idea of keeping people physically separated to avoid contagion. Korn said the approach varied by campus.
“In some cases, you may be asked to stay in your car and you’ll be given a number,” Korn said. “On other campuses, you may have the ability to enter the campus and have social distancing on campus.”
However, parents said the efforts didn’t work smoothly at all schools.
At South Plantation High,
Michael Levine said there were already 100 people in line when he arrived at 8:10 a.m. to pick up a laptop for his daughter, Samantha, who is in the 10th grade.
Levine, a stroke survivor, said he forgot to bring his mask to the school so he pulled the top of his T-shirt over his mouth while waiting for 2 1⁄2 hours. Once inside, a school staff member gave him a spare mask.
He said the district kept people separated, but only after they entered the school building. People in line outside stayed close to one another.
“They were just conglomerated,” he said. “They should have given people numbers or had a drive-up service.”
Marjorie Mairena, whose son Shawn is a senior at
South Plantation High, said she waited over three hours to get a computer.
“They just seemed unprepared and not ready for this,” she said.
There also were complaints and photos on social media describing long lines at other schools, including McArthur High in Hollywood, Plantation High and Indian Trace Elementary in Weston.
“We are aware there are long lines at many schools. There’s going to be some inconveniences,” Runcie said. “We ask our parents to be patient as they go through the pickup and registration process.”
At some schools, including Walter C. Young, parents had little to no wait times.
Michelle Stellabotte said school employees were helpful in going over how online learning will work for her sixth-grade daughter Taylor. The mom described her as a high-functioning student with Aspberger’s. The mother said she’s eager to see how the online learning approach works.
“I think it may be better for her,” Stellabotte said. “She does get a little distracted in class but she’s amazing on the computer. I’ve taken online classes before, and it’s fine.”
The district is using an education platform called Canvas, which many teachers already use to assign and collect student work and provide learning materials.
After they receive computers, parents and students should go to https:// www.browardschools.com/ learningnevercloses for details about how to log in.
Palm Beach County parents who need computers will pick them up after spring break.
Miami-Dade County started its switch to online learning Monday.