news Parents, Students Weigh in After First Week of School By Laura Mulrooney
While some students burst through the doors of their assigned school, others hunkered down in front of their computers in pajamas. Monday, August 24 marked an historic moment for Pinellas County Schools – opening during a pandemic. The learning wasn’t just for the students, but for parents and faculty as well. PCS offered parents three options for their children to return to school: full, in-person attendance; the MyPCS Online option, an in-person and online hybrid; and Pinellas Virtual School, which allows students to learn online, 24/7, at their own pace. Almost 60% of school-aged children in Pinellas County enrolled in the traditional face-to-face learning option this school year, according to figures from the Pinellas County School Board. Parents and students have had to learn to navigate the world of online schooling, while teachers have had to learn how to teach simultaneously to students in the classroom and students at home. “It’s uncharted territory, but not impossible,” said Boca Ciega High School math teacher and Gulfport Councilmember Christine Brown. Brown also reported a few technological glitches on her end.
Parent Elicia Branca, who enrolled both of her children into the PCS Online option, has noted a few hiccups. “The kids go to school online but remain enrolled in their schools. They have daily Zoom-style meetings where they are ‘in’ the classroom with their teacher and other students, both online and in the classroom,” said Branca. “The first week has been OK. Several teachers have had technical difficulties or haven’t shown up for class at all.” That may be a technical glitch as well. “When the kids click the link for the live class meeting nothing happens,” said Branca. Branca’s oldest, who’s in high school, has emailed the teachers to let them know. “She waited by the computer to see if anything happened. One teacher popped in the chat and told them she was having issues but gave them an assignment that way. The other class it happens in they just type ‘here’ in the chat so they get credit and then just do whatever for that period,” said Branca. Neither Branca nor her kids are the biggest fans on the online options. “I’m hoping one day we can return to normal and they can go back. In-person learning is far superior, plus they need the social interaction and experiences that they can
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