Distance Learning Begins Monday. What’s The Plan?

Mary Scott Hodgin | April 3, 2020

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The buildings are closed, but Jefferson County Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin says the school district will be open for business Monday, April 6.

“This is not going to be traditional school, but we remain steadfast in our mission,” Gonsoulin said in a video message. “Educating students will continue.”

In response to the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Kay Ivey originally ordered Alabama K-12 schools to close for two and a half weeks beginning March 19. Last week, Ivey announced they would remain closed through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Schools are supposed to begin distance learning Monday, April 6.

Gonsoulin says Jefferson County students should expect to receive instructions about specific learning plans from individual schools. Grading criteria will vary for students in different grade levels. Distance learning will include online materials and educational software.

He says students who do not have a computer or internet access will receive hard copies of work packets. Jefferson County teachers are required to be available three hours daily, Monday through Friday, to offer virtual office hours for parents and students. The school year will finish for students May 28.

Gonsoulin says this is an especially challenging time for graduating seniors, but teachers will work with students to make sure they complete all requirements and get their diplomas.

“Our graduation ceremonies might be later than normal or look different in nature,” he said. “But we will find a way to honor your accomplishments.”

Gonsoulin says the transition has been “very difficult” and school officials are still working out many details.

Birmingham City Schools says it will begin its “remote learning plan” next week. Teachers will reach out to parents and students during this time to discuss specific details. Remote instruction will officially begin on April 13 and continue through May 28.

Birmingham City Schools is committed to providing remote learning for all BCS students. The remote learning timeline will begin on Monday, April 6, 2020. pic.twitter.com/acV6KDnW95

— Birmingham City Schools🎓 (@BhamCitySchools) April 2, 2020

Students in Shelby County Schools will begin distance learning on Monday, April 6, and continue through May 21. Superintendent Lewis Brooks says the curriculum will be centered around meeting specific state standards.

“Teaching and learning will focus mostly on the four core subjects of English Language Arts (reading and writing), math, science, and social studies,” Brooks said in a video.

He says elective course teachers will provide “enrichment activities” for students.

Many school systems, including Shelby County and Birmingham City, say they will continue to offer free meals to students at daily pick-up sites next week.

Jefferson County Schools had been providing meals to students since schools were first closed in March, but that service will stop after Friday. Gonsoulin says more than 400 employees volunteered to prepare and deliver meals, but it was difficult to maintain social distancing protocols. He says they are working to connect parents to other programs that can offer food by Tuesday.

“We are turning toward organizations that are set up better to do that,” Gonsoulin said Friday.

Roughly half of Jefferson County Schools students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.