Vendor Writing

The Challenges of Virtual Learning

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

On Aug. 3, my home like so many others in our area was turned into a classroom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My granddaughter, who is somewhat of a tech wiz, seems to be adapting to “the new norm,” but even she admits it’s hard.

She’s in a new school this year. She had a difficult time at DuPont Tyler last year, so I applied to Strive Collegiate Academy and thankfully she was accepted. They provided a Chromebook for her to do her schoolwork.

She has a totally different schedule than last year. Her school day goes from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with two breaks: One in the morning and one in the afternoon for lunch, Monday through Thursday.

Each class has its own Zoom ID and passcode and the students are expected to join at specified times just as if they were in a literal classroom. You can monitor your child’s progress through an app.

On Friday’s they have “asynchronous learning,” where they study on their own, and their assignments are posted on Google classroom, and are due by 4 p.m. The teachers maintain office hours to help students if needed. I’m a little concerned about this one, because she’s not exactly self-motivated to do it on her own. I’m always having to remind her to do her work. I feel like a broken record, and this is only the first week — she was off last Friday for a teacher planning day.

On Fridays parents also receive a corner ticket with detailed information about how your student is doing, including comments from the teachers. A couple of them have recognized her as a “rockstar” because of the way she participates in class. (It’s nice that they recognize what I’ve known for years.)

Each week the student receives a “paycheck” based on their level of participation in each of their classes. (I’m not quite sure how that part works just yet.)

A new school, a new schedule, and a new way of learning due to the coronavirus would’ve each been stressful on their own, but to happen all at once? That’s a lot for anyone to handle, much less an 11 year old child!

During her breaks we’ve been having a Home Economics / FFA / crafts class of sorts where we cook lunch — tacos, stroganoff, spaghetti, etc. She’s done some gardening with her mom — she’s most proud of her tomatoes (even though she doesn’t eat them), and she loves to paint!

As for me, how am I holding up in all this? I must admit I’ve enjoyed hearing her actively participate in her classes, but I’m NOT tech savvy. More like tech challenged, so it’s been a lot to take in. For starters, it took me four tries to submit her registration paperwork! After the school year started they sent me a similar packet, and that one only took me two tries to submit. I suppose that’s progress.

With all those apps and other “stuff” necessary for virtual learning I’ve often found myself wondering, just who is in school here?

From 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday I do my best to make sure she’s where she needs to be “virtually.” (Honesty, that’s about ALL I can do for her with the advent of Common Core and “New Math.”) Friday is a work in progress, which means I’m NOT selling papers.

I’m considering going out after 3:30 p.m. a few days a week at least until daylight savings time ends on Nov. 1, but I’m not sure. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. For now, it looks like I’ll be limited to Saturday and Sunday and I rarely do two days in a row because it’s hard for me, but her needs have to come first.

I understand why schools have delayed the start of in-person classes for the health and safety of children and educators, but I do hope that one day soon they can have hybrid classes, so that our lives can resume some normalcy for parents and children.

Keeping Your Eye on the Lord

JOHN H., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Just the other day, I got on the bus and after paying fare this guy I saw which I’ve seen quite a few times stared as he smiled as always. He congratulated me on my smile. I sit, and he went on to tell me that, “I see he’s a part of you too!” At the time I was kinna shocked because I didn’t know what exactly he meant. Then he got up and took off his necklace which had a cross on it and smiled. I immediately pulled the string to get off ‘cause I felt tears about to come down. After exiting, tears of joy took over as I sit on the bus bench. A lady in a Range Rover saw me and pulled in the lot to park. She asked if I was OK and I went on to tell her what happened. Afterward, I guess then it was two of us sitting in tears.

Amazing how sometimes we feel kinna down or maybe just don’t feel like going to work and God picks you up with delightedness and puts on your heart such great joy. I was in not such a good move because one of my hating roommates broke my sunglasses and punched a hole in my water jug and that kinna spoiled my morning. Upon taking steps to my corner, a customer pulled up and handed me two ice cold cokes. The next customer pulled up and had purchased me a watermelon and handed me twenty bucks. It just goes to show when you do good, good follows. I spent another couple hours on the corner and decided to leave because of the heat. Walking to the bus stop, one of my best customers stopped and gave me a ride, plus a six pack of Sprite. Now that’s what I called a great day. Not hesitating a bit to keep my eye on the Lord.