CLOSING THE DISTANCE DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING By George Farmer
With spring break now behind us, districts are facing the reality that schools may not open for the remainder of the school year. The social distancing order created a rush for districts to execute the best home instruction processes for stakeholders. Parents are making their best attempts to balance work and managing student workloads, while educators strive to provide academic support from a distance. Without physical contact with students, teachers are relegated to communicating with parents and students via video conferencing platforms or communication applications. In schools, close contact breeds personal care and comfort for students. Class jokes and nonsensical moments are priceless and build classroom camaraderie. Consider the school cafeteria, a gathering place where students can eat and have a good time with their peers. For many students, these experiences are irreplaceable. School provides a safe place and escape from the unfortunate reality in which some students live. Half of United States public school students rely on free or reduced lunch. These 20 million students depend on breakfast and lunch five days a week. Many children in the United States are also dealing with abuse and neglect. For them, school is a necessary means of survival.
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The American Consortium for Equity in Education
