New school
Parents and teachers share ways to navigate a new era of schooling in a pandemic.
“I’ve been trying for 15 years to get my students to ‘ socially distance’ by keeping their hands to themselves and not touching other students’ property. I’m not sure that this year will be any different.”
Jessie Ruzicka, teacher and Norwalk resident
In late June, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that schools would resume in- person learning in the fall with safety protocols in place
( i. e. face coverings for students and teachers). Many parents, teachers and residents shared strong opinions about the announcement in a Hearst Connecticut Media poll.
Then, we asked readers to let us know their thoughts on how school should look come fall.
An informal poll of 128 people showed that respondents’ opinions are split almost down the middle in terms of preferring in- person learning in the fall versus distance/ virtual learning. According to the poll results, 51.2 percent would like to continue virtual schooling while 48.8 percent prefer in- person classes to resume. The majority ( 83.5 percent) of respondents were parents.
Anumber of poll re
spondents said they hope to see a review of material from the past school year in the fall. “I would like a review of the last few months of distance learning,” wrote Melissa Dube, a parent from Stamford. Rebekah Pomeroy, a parent from North Haven, echoed the sentiment saying she hopes for, “a strong review of end of last year’s concepts for the start of the next grade.”
An emphasis on emotional wellness, socialization and playtime was also mentioned. “Focus on play, outdoor education, and social- emotional, and anti bias/ anti racism learning regardless if in- person or online,” said parent Rebecca Cohen of New Haven.
Here are some of the other ideas, suggestions and thoughts parents, teachers, students and others had:
Michelle Barwinski, teacher and parent — Madison resident
“As a science teacher in
CT for over 20 years, I do not think cohorting is good for high school. With K- 8 it’s the norm, but high schoolers need different groups of students with whom to interact and they are also more responsible with regard to keeping on masks and good hygiene. Furthermore, they are better able to explain symptoms they may be having.
“Additionally, kids need sports. ... Teens need an outlet for energy and competition as well as the physical fitness and friendships and teamwork that comes from sports. ... Students and their families have also been working hard for years in hopes that their talents are recognized by schools with the hope that students can give back to a school with their talents and families can have a financial break with tuition, which may be necessary for some students to attend college at all.”
Michelle Barwinski, parent — Stamford resident
“For virtual classes, provide required assignments to be handed in at beginning of the week due at the end instead of daily to allow more flexibility. In person, allow for distance learning if there is a sick day or be more lenient with the 10 days allowed to be absent per year policy. I imagine we would ( and should) keep kids home for any running nose, which will require being home way more than they used to.”
Kelly Combest, parent — Stamford resident
“Less students in the Zoom meetings if we are virtual. Way too much commotion going on in these Zoom meetings for kids to concentrate. Special needs kids need inperson instruction and therapies. Virtual just doesn’t cut it.”
Jana Henderson, parent — Stamford resident
“A streamlined virtual classroom platform that is not Google classroom at the elementary level. It is too difficult for young students to manage several different classrooms. Rather, there has to be one classroom with all assignments from classroom teachers and specialists.”
Melanie Przygocki, parent — Bristol resident
“I think for distance learning it would be very helpful to have some sort of list for parents either weekly or monthly on what assignment the kids were getting, and when they were due so parents had a heads up beforehand to catch up on our own to be better able to help our children when they had questions.
“I’d prefer to keep my kids home until things start to get better. But yes I feel very strongly that hand washing, washing not just using sanitizer, and distancing students is important. I also believe mask wearing is important but don’t think it’s a good idea for kids to wear them all day. The only real safe way to wear masks is to avoid touching it, to avoid touching the mask to any surface at any time and to wash your hands every single time its touched! I just don’t see that happening.”
Jessie Ruzicka, teacher — Norwalk resident
“Standardized testing should not take place due to the fact that students missed 1/ 3 of the school year last year and many parents will opt to keep their kids home from school. Teachers should not have a required curriculum as students will be entering far below grade level due to missed school. Teachers should be trusted to adapt the curriculum as they see fit to meet the needs of their students. This includes the social emotional support many students will need.
“I think that enforcing any of ( the safety) measures is a daunting task. I’ve been trying for 15 years to get my students to ‘ socially distance’ by keeping their hands to themselves and not touching other students’ property. I’m not sure that this year will be any different. I also struggle to have students dress in dress code, so I’m sure wearing masks will fit into that category. I believe that to enforce these protocols, my day will be spent primarily monitoring hygiene and not teaching.”
Tanya Wiedeking, parent — New Haven
“I would like to see ( older) children participate in keeping the schools clean, rather than there being the expectation that this be handled entirely by custodial staff. They should wipe down their own desks, for example.”