Remote Learning

[Article]
Title: Universal Remote Learning for Beginning of 2020-21 School Year

Fulton County Schools today announced that it will begin the 2020-2021 school year using the Universal Remote Learning model. The first day of instruction continues to be August 17.

“The data and information from our health partners is overwhelming. This virus is spreading and not slowing down,” said Superintendent Mike Looney. “I was hopeful the direction would change, but it is clear that we must pivot from the Face-to-Face model to the Universal Remote Learning model in order to keep our students, their families, and our staff members safe.”
In May, Superintendent Looney announced three models the district was developing while monitoring the spread of COVID-19: (1) Face-to-Face instruction with enhanced cleaning and social distancing protocols; (2) Universal Remote Learning; and (3) Blended Learning using a combination of remote and in-person instruction. In June, he announced the district would open with Face-to-Face instruction but allow families to choose a virtual option for their students. He also shared that the district would remain agile and adjust to another model if data warranted a change.
“Our district is in a situation we never imagined or expected, but moving to Universal Remote Learning is the right thing to do. Keeping our students and employees safe is our top priority,” said Fulton School Board President Julia Bernath. “The School Board has full confidence in Dr. Looney and his decision.”
“It is important our families know we have been preparing for this scenario,” said Superintendent Looney. “We learned a great deal last spring. We saw what was working and what was not, and we used feedback from our parents, students and staff to make changes in how instruction would be delivered remotely. There will be more rigor, more accountability, and more support. Teachers also are receiving more training so they can successfully deliver meaningful instruction in a remote environment.”
As examples, some changes will benefit students and their parents helping at home. The number of online platforms has been streamlined, with ClassLink used as the single sign-on for district software applications and Microsoft Teams used for instruction and communication. Students will follow a predetermined school schedule, and grading and attendance practices will be consistent and recorded. Fulton County Schools will continue to provide digital learning devices for students in grades 3-12, but prekindergarten through second grade will rely heavily on printed learning packets. The district also will share resources with parents for how to help their student at home.
Other changes will better support teachers and allow more access to educational resources while providing increased opportunities for professional support and sharing of best practices. Teachers will be expected to submit lesson plans for all learning activities, and this will help school leaders provide more guidance and input to teachers needing support.
Superintendent Looney will present more specific details about Universal Remote Learning at the School Board’s next meeting on Thursday, July 23, as well as share the revised back-to-school plan with the Georgia Department of Education.


[New vocab words]

overwhelm: to be too much to deal with

agile: able to move your body quickly and easily
warranted: If something is warranted, there is a good reason for it and it can be accepted
streamlined: improved or made simpler
packet: several documents provided as a set, giving information about something


[STORY]
“Before and After the announcement” 
When I moved into Georgia on July 8th, the superintendent was arguing strongly that all schools in Fulton county would be reopened and restart the classes in person since August 17th. So I managed to gather many documents required to enroll my daughter to an elementary school in this district, and then I completed the registration online with attaching those documents just before the deadline. It is because I know she likes to go to school and has been excited to see new friends and teachers. Therefore I had relieved to receive a certification email from the school that warranted her to enter.

 But, unfortunately, since this weekend, the situation is going to be worse. According to the announcement, the district decided not to restart Face-to-Face classes in fall because the situation in this district caused by Covid-19 was changed unexpectedly, that is, the recent number of people infected with Covid-19 is overwhelming in Georgia. I was disappointed to hear the announcement. My daughter and I have to struggle with many homework packets every day, again. Just thinking about it makes me shudder. Even though she can attend the class morning meeting in a streamlined way, like Zoom or Bluejeans, to do a lot of homework without any instruction by teachers is definitely too hard for a 2nd grader. I think it is quite tough for a student even with an agile mind. 

 And, in my opinion, the advantage of remote learning is only that children can get familiar with digital devices or parents can save some time to do drop-off and pick-up their child. Also, I agree that the development of the digital solution makes us learn interactively with the teacher while being at home. That’s amazing. 

 However, the interaction mainly means the interaction not between the student and classmates, but between the teacher and each student. Even through the Zoom or Bluejeans, conversations between classmates rarely occur. And the students are usually instructed in advance to mute themselves until being assigned to say something in the class. So they can’t help the classmate even if they want to help each other in the class. Of course, they can't chat aloud with friends while recess-time or lunch-break, which they could do every day in the Face-to-Face classes. Especially, the lower graders of elementary school should grow up their social skills through the interaction with friends and teachers at school, though, it is almost impossible through the remote learning program. I need to come up with a new measure of helping her develop her skills and possibilities instead of the school. I am talking about it with my wife, for instance, having her go to some kinds of lessons out of the school. But I am not sure if these lessons will work well for her or not. 

 The district says they will explain the protocols of the remote learning in detail in a few days. So, I know, even if I am worried about the coming school year now, it cannot be helped. Ugh…

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