Back to school: Parents facing tough choices during COVID-19 pandemic

by Tina Cole-Mullins

After schools closed in March and the governor’s emergency orders filled the summer, cases of COVID-19 still continue throughout the state. Now as fall begins, school administrators, staff, teachers and parents are working to safely provide the best education for students during the pandemic.

What will be best learning environment for the child? How comfortable are the parents that the child’s needs will be met, in whatever choice is made? The options available are face-to-face, remote learning through the district, blended learning, virtual school and self home-school. But there is no simple, or single answer to the questions during this unique time.

Returning to the classroom

Amanda Preston, a single mom and essential worker in the medical field, feels she has no other option when it comes to her children’s education. Preston’s son, Brayden, is a returning first-grader and daughter, Paige, is in kindergarten.

“I’m sending my kids back because that way they have IEP’s and need in-school learning, so it will be in their best interest,” Preston said. “It’s imperative for them to be in school. They’re not suited for online. With being a single mom (and) working full time during the day, they would not have any structured learning. So yes, I will send my kids back.”

Older student decides

Stockbridge High School student Josie Beutler made the choice to return to learning in the classroom.

“Both my younger sister, Clare, and myself will be attending,” she said. “I am saddened by the safety measures such as 6 feet apart from those who aren’t of our household; however, I know that these guidelines are in place for everyone’s safety.

“I’m not very worried about having to wear a mask. I’ve been wearing one whenever I’m in the store. I am curious as to how effective our learning experience will be considering our new normal,” she continued. “… Ultimately I see that there are many positives and negatives to this situation, but I also know that many students (myself included) learn better in a classroom.”

Help from family

This also is a time when grandparents such as Tisha and Robert Fineman are stepping up. The Finemans moved to Stockbridge in the spring of 2016 to be closer to their granddaughter and soon-to-arrive grandson.

“Fast forward, and here we are, in the altered reality of the COVID pandemic. It is a blessing to be a hop and a skip from the children and the grandchildren,” Tisha Fineman said. “Last year, Vin attended a great preschool in Chelsea. This year, he will not be attending in person, although he is enrolled as a distance learner there. Due to my prior experience teaching young fives and kindergarten, I’ve been called on to provide some structured concrete hands-on in-person experiences.”

Having retired in 2011, Tisha Fineman realized how much things had changed.

“I went online to find an appropriate scope and sequence for 4-year-old learning,” she said. “I also acquired a theme-based plan, which is how I like to organize things.”

Tisha Fineman said she will follow the Chelsea Children’s Cooperative Preschool pages to see what her grandson would have been doing there. She also looked at nature schools online because she wanted outdoor learning to be part of every preschool day. She has organized spaces in her home for a rug time spot, play area, table activities and a library nook.

No one fit for all

In this unprecedented time, not every option will be the best for all. The only thing we can do is prepare our children for the future as best we can, no matter the style of learning. Be it face-to-face, online remote learning or home schooling, what works best for one family will not always be the best option for the family next door.

Deanna Kruger, who always wears a contagious smile as she greets the students, parents and staff in the reception office of Heritage Elementary School, is optimistic about the weeks to come.

“This is a journey we are all traveling, for the first time, together,” she said. “The school board and school staff are working hard to make this work for the safety of everyone and the well-being of ‘our kids.’ We miss the students so much! Bringing them back safely is the priority.”