SRVUSD Parents Decry Remote Learning Option

San Ramon CA

23 September, 2020

7:08 PM

Description

SAN RAMON VALLEY, CA — The San Ramon Valley Unified School District is seeking input from families through an online survey as the district continues to plan for what school reopenings could look like, but not all parents like the options they've been presented. A survey distributed Tuesday asks parents about their preferences when it comes to hybrid or remote learning, though the district has already outlined some practices that families can expect in the future. Many details have not been solidified, but some parents were quick to express disdain for one remote learning option. Parents were unhappy to hear of the possibility that children participating in remote learning may not be placed with peers and teachers from their home school, saying such a move would be too much disruption for youth who have already undergone significant lifestyle changes as they continue to learn at home. When it comes to remote learning, SRVUSD is mulling over a model that would place remote students alongside students and teachers from across the district. "I am sick over the thought of losing our teacher and being disconnected from our school," wrote Sarah Kalika on the district's Facebook page. School officials don't yet know how many students would choose the remote learning option, so SRVUSD can't predict whether it would be possible to continue remote learning through a child's home school, Malloy said. This difference of opinion exemplifies one of the reasons SRVUSD sent out the survey, said SRVUSD spokesperson Denise Jennison in an email. SRVUSD seeks to gauge where the community is at before calling on families to formally decide. Families will be asked to decide after a Sept. 29 SRVUSD board meeting, at which board members will discuss next steps. SRVUSD's board is committed to offering options since different families are dealing with the pandemic in different ways, she said. "What seems perfectly clear and right for one may not be right for another," Jennison wrote. "Making sure that all voices, not just the loudest ones, have a chance to be heard is an important part of the decision-making process." Though details on the next phase of schooling remain undecided, SRVUSD has established some basic protocols. As students begin to filter back in to classrooms, SRVUSD will have to utilize a hybrid learning model to ensure social distancing can be maintained — full-time learning five days per week is not possible, Malloy said. That means students will be in class for at least two days per week, with another possible day of synchronous learning remotely or at school. Students will be given PPE gear and will be expected to wear masks, maintain social distancing and remain in smaller groups when they return to campus. Officials will closely monitor any entering or exiting of campus and visitors will not be allowed, Malloy said. There will be daily cleaning and disinfecting, hand sanitizer abound and regular COVID-19 testing. A contact tracer will review any cases that are detected. Email SRVUSD with questions at [email protected] and take the survey here. Clarification Video from Dr. Malloy We want to thank you for all the questions and comments that have arisen regarding...Posted by San Ramon Valley Unified School District on Wednesday, September 23, 2020