August 11, 2020

Dear Parents: 

The pandemic has thrown a wrench in the conventional learning environment. It is no longer just the school's responsibility to educate your children.  Parents are being forced to be more active in ensuring their children succeed and a new wave of panic has swept over our community.   I am very concerned with the number of parents that are afraid they cannot benefit their children academically. The sad fact is that education has advanced and/or has been retrofitted to testing models, as opposed to providing our children the unique learning necessary to compete in the real world. Also, many parents have not expanded their educational experience once they graduated from high school or college. Regardless of our academic deficiencies, our children are relying on us to make sure they are ready when classroom education resumes. We must be prepared to take a more active role in their learning now. The next academic year will be critical to the success of our children. I am here to help, but it takes work and a village.  I have no doubt we can bolster the educational performance of our children, if collectively, we become more engaged in their learning experience. But time is of the essence!

We must redefine our social medial and TV habits and spend more time invested in our children. The pandemic is horrific, but we can take this time to help our children succeed. It's on us, the parents and village, to meet this challenge and overcome it. Creating the appropriate learning environment is the bridge to your child's success. Parents, grandparents or guardians must make virtual learning an exciting  experience for children. Remember, you, the parent, are responsible for making sure your children perform at grade level. The pandemic has made us aware that social support systems, including going to school, can be altered if there is a national emergency. We must always be prepared to lead our children to success, regardless of the circumstances. This new reality has increased the parent-child interaction times and we must never make our children feel their education burdens us. Smile and let your child/children know "you got this!"

Below is a guide for all the stakeholders the role of creating a virtual learning environment during the pandemic:

Step 1- First and foremost, we must collectively get our heads out of the sand and work towards getting the next generation to the next level. We must tell our children that we are in a pandemic and going to school is risky for them and their families. Also, parents need to stop whining about schools being closed, how hard school subjects have become, or when will the children go back to school, and do something about it. 

Step 2- Find a buddy.  If you are not comfortable with teaching your child or guiding the academic process, find someone who can help you. There is no shame in asking for help. And I ask that we, as professionals, reach out to help other parents navigate this new reality. Together, we can ensure that our children are not left behind when, or if, normalcy resumes. Parents must have a "life line" as not to become overwhelmed with the process, especially if the children are learning on different levels. Buddies need to be actively involved in the process, not just a shoulder to cry on. Be prepared to help with school work, paperwork, projects or research. 

Step 3– YouTube and Google are the primary resource tools you will need to get you through the academic year. You can google math, science, history, social studies, English and homework aids. You can be "smarter than a 5th grader"  with the help of online resource tools. Now is the time to google  subjects and get comfortable with the courses that your student will take this year and get comfortable. If you are comfortable with virtual learning, they will be comfortable with the format. 

Step 4- Review your child’s last report card and determine their strengths and weaknesses. If they failed any class, enlist a tutor.There are sites, such as www.wyzant.com that offering tutoring classes as low as $15.00 per hour. Plus, this site has FREE classes to jump start your child’s virtual learning experience. Take time to watch educational programs with your child, shout out the answers and get them engaged. Learning is fun! Children who enjoy learning and believe they have support, do well in life.

Step 5- Contact your child’s Virtual Learning Department to determine what you need to do to make sure the child is properly enrolled and ready to start on time. For example, Houston ISD offers a Virtual Learning course for parents. Find a virtual learning program in your town and watch the videos on the delivery of the courses, testing and study groups. You will need all of  the resources available to get you through the process. You can do it, if you start preparing now.

https://blogs.houstonisd.org/news/2020/08/03/hisd-to-launch-parent-virtual-learning-course/

Step 6- Contact your child’s teacher via email and ask for the course schedule. Read everything they give you and ask questions. Virtual learning is new to students and they rely on the parent to help them navigate their new reality. Exude confidence when talking to your child’s teacher and express how you are excited about partnering to help your child succeed. The teacher will appreciate your support.

Step 7- Make sure you child has a laptop. Children will need a computer to successfully complete their studies and should not be asked to complete their school work on their phones or sharing a computer. Laptops or desktop computers provide a better learning experience if each child has his/her own resources. Check with your school for district-issued supplies.  Ask for one device for each child. If you receive any public assistance, organizations, such as "PCs For People" may be able to help you get a free computer and/or WIFI. Google one of several sites below, or similar ones for your state and determine if you are eligible for free computers:

https://save.lovetoknow.com/Free_Computers_for_Low_Imcone_Families

https://www.pcsforpeople.org/eligibility/

There are also low cost laptops or refurbished laptops for sale at Walmart, Best Buy or several other outlets. Once again, EACH school age child,  learning virtually, needs their own device. If you have more than one school age child, buy headsets compatible with each laptop. Headphones are a life saver!

Step 8- Create a learning space for EACH child. Students need a desk, chair and a dedicated work space. Children focus better in quiet spaces away from phone calls, TV noise and other children. There are many inexpensive desks that fit comfortably in small or large spaces. You can buy desks at Home Deport for $29.00, Walmart $33.00 and various retailers. Walmart sells a two pack of chairs with cushioned seats for $65.00.  Make sure your child is comfortable for long-term sitting and seated in place conducive for learning. Creating a school setting within the home is not expensive and is imperative for virtual learning. Kitchen table learning is not optimal. 

Step 9- Create a schedule and educate your children on your expectations. Post the schedule in a common area or near your child's work station. In order to maintain a schedule, you must regain order in your home. Start putting your children to bed by 8:30 pm now. Children need adequate rest and a routine that settles them by a specific hour each day. Create your routine before school starts. 

Step 10- Breakfast and lunch will now be handled at home, by you, the parent. Prepare meals in advance, if possible. Hungry children do not learn and adequate nourishment is critical in a learning environment. As a parent, you must plan meal times in order to add structure less interruptions during the day. If you are relying on publicly distributed meals, plan your pickup times as not to interfere with your  child's schedule.  

Step 11- Hold virtual classroom time for 15 minutes each day before the school year starts. Students need to be re-introduced to sitting still and focusing after a long, stressful summer.  Make learning fun by selecting programs that are interactive, interesting and colorful because many students are isolated from their classmates. If possible, hold virtual  meetings with parents and children to create an opportunity to socialize and learn. 

Step 12- Make the right choices for your child/children.  There are many homeschool programs or virtual learning platforms that keep children thriving and on task. If conventional schooling is lacking, try other online school programs. Research before the year starts. Do not rely on the school district; rely on your instinct and common sense to keep your children and your family safe, while we help them learn during the pandemic. You have two choices- Use the time to improve your child's academic performance, or risk having a child left behind. Follow the steps, get support and get moving!

Patricia M. Carroll

Part of the Village 

pmjcarroll@gmail.com

www.pmjcarroll.com