Transitioning from
Remote Learning
to
WRITTEN BY KRISTI JACOBS
The 2020-21 school year was unlike anything previously experienced in education. Schools had to react quickly and provide a variety of educational options for students so they could remain safe from the risks of COVID-19. There are many students across the state who spent 15 months receiving their education exclusively online, not walking into a classroom once during that time. The return to in-person instruction in the fall for the 2021-22 school year will undoubtedly be an interesting one, with increased levels of both excitement and trepidation for them and their parents alike. I would like to share what parents and students should expect for the coming school year, based upon my experience and the experiences of my teacher colleagues as we watched our students adjust from online to in-person learning. I will also provide some tips for you to make your child’s transition back to school easier. Of course, every child is different and will need varying amounts of support. First, it is important that each child knows he or she is not alone in this journey. Remind your student that every child may be navigating the hallways of a school for the first time in 18 months. You might work to find a buddy for your child – a classmate to spend some time with before the first day of school so they have a familiar friend with whom they can start the year. It is also important to build a relationship with your child’s teacher and the school beforehand. Go play on the school’s playground over the summer and have your child explore the structure of the school and let him become comfortable there. Be sure to attend any orientation or sneak peek visit your school offers. 22
August 2021
In-Person
school day. You can help your child by working to get on a schedule a few weeks before school Within a typical in-person starts. Have him work to get up and get out school setting, children hear of the door for an outing in the morning. This will help break the habit of just crawling out of feedback and correction bed and opening the computer or being able from many adults. This to step away and take a break whenever she has not been the case with wants one. most online schooling. My Within a typical in-person school setting, colleagues and I have seen children hear feedback and correction from many adults. This has not been the case with that this is one of the largest most online schooling. My colleagues and adjustments in the return to I have seen that this is one of the largest in-person instruction. adjustments in the return to in-person instruction. Have a discussion with your child before school starts about how the role of a teacher is to help and guide. He needs to be You can also email your child’s teacher before open to making mistakes and correcting them. school starts and be honest about your online If your child feels like the teacher is “picking experience during the past year-and-a-half. on them” it may just be that, for the first time How was it? Did your child thrive? Did they in 18 months, they are getting more feedback really struggle doing things independently? on their work than they are used to receiving. Were they engaged in one subject more than Back the teacher on this one, and help your another? Let your teacher know how it went, child understand that this is how they will learn both the good and the bad, so they are prepared and improve. for what your child’s educational experience has been. Teachers know that parents have done Overall, have a positive attitude about their best during the pandemic and it has been returning to school, and focus on all of the hard. This honesty will benefit both you and good things. At the end of the day, let your your child in the transition. child share openly about what occurred and do not quiz her incessantly about how it went. The days can be long and exhausting the first Children will share when they are ready. As few weeks as your child moves back into the I stated above, this is going to be a lot to rhythm of returning to school. You may find process and relearn – allow your child the your kiddo struggling with their stamina. This space and time to do that. is OK; school days can be a lot to process. It is important not to overschedule her with Kristi Jacobs is the Anderson School District Superintendent. activities at the start of the year. Stay focused on getting back into the rhythm of in-person school. The majority of online programs were much shorter than the typical seven-hour
