From Okaloosa County Superintendent Marcus Chambers
On Monday, March 30th, across Okaloosa County, 32,000 students started school for the second 1st time this school year. This time, though, each of our students started school virtually, from the safety of their homes. While these times are already stressful for some due to Covid-19, I want to provide parents with some tips to assuage the stress of resuming school in an online setting.
One of the first tips that all experts agree on is to create a schedule and routine and post it somewhere your children can see. The important thing about creating a routine—to include a bedtime—is that it provides you and your child the consistency and stability needed for a successful online learning environment. Some people ask what a daily schedule might look like for a student and that all depends on your child and their specific needs. But a good rule of thumb would be to begin each “school day” with breakfast and your usual morning routine before beginning class. After breakfast, allow students some free or creative time before transitioning online for class. It is also important to note that you must plan multiple breaks for your students. The suggested total time for students who are learning online varies from up to two hours a day for our youngest learners to 3-4 hours a day for 6th through 12th graders, though schedules will likely vary based on your student’s individual needs.
Another helpful tip with transitioning your children into learning online from the home environment is to create a comfortable space in your home designated specifically for learning. This learning space should fit the needs of your child. While one child might need absolute quiet, another might find bright lights effect their learning more. Moreover, it is not necessary that your child sit at a table to learn, either. Some of your children’s teachers have flexible seating in their classrooms, so they are used to learning lying on the floor in a pod of pillows. Finally, in order to limit distractions to learning, the space should have any necessary school supplies nearby. If you should need any school supplies, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school.
A question I have been getting from parents is, “What if my child doesn’t understand what is being taught?” Their hesitation in helping their child navigate new content is heartfelt. This question leads to my next tip: allow your child the necessary productive struggle for learning. Remember that your child’s teachers are still teaching, just in a different format. It is through the repetition embedded in your child’s online lessons that skills will be imparted. As a parent, allow and expect mistakes, as that is the messy part of learning where the new content “sticks.” Your primary role is still a parental one. Supporting your child through open and honest communication with his or her teacher will be the key to making online learning work in the best way for both you and your child.
As we navigate these new and unchartered waters, it is important to give yourself the same grace and compassion I have asked our teachers to give their students and themselves. Be patient with your child, the system, their teachers, and with yourself as we go through this unusual time. Remember that we are truly in this together and want nothing more than to help your child meet his or her educational goal while remaining safe and healthy. Though we have planned extensively and several departments, to include MIS and technology have worked around the clock, we know there will be bumps along the road. From lag times and slow networks to Chromebooks or iPads not working correctly, we will experience adversity. Any new system put into place will have to work its kinks out.
Even with all of the new, all of the kinks, words cannot express how proud I have been of every student, parent, and employee in the Okaloosa County School District for working tirelessly to continue learning in the face of a pandemic. If you would like to see more tips, guidance, possible schedules, and videos on the new Online Learning Model, please visit the Okaloosa County Schools Website and click on OCSD Resources for Online Learning at the top of the page. Stay healthy and stay learning!
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