Online learning still in the works as pandemic grows

Following the Mar. 13, 2020 closure of all school sites after a surge of COVID-19 cases in California and worldwide, PRJUSD is delaying school assignments in order to proceed with a week of staff development, building on a plan for the next two weeks of distance learning based on the recommendation from the County Office of Education. 

Teachers are instructed to assign no official instruction as the school coordinates with all 15 county school districts, County Public Health, Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Education, and the Governor’s Office.

The district is working to adapt to the limitations of the pandemic, but for parents and students sitting in anticipation at home, the big question of what future instruction will be like is uncertain. 

“The reason we are seeing such a long pause is the fact that there are so many details that need to be worked out before we can deliver an equitable and clearly articulate distance learning program,” Principal Anthony Overton said Tuesday. 

A comprehensive program, which Overton stated, has to account for the length of instruction per day and availability of at home technology and resources of each student, could also potentially impact the current academic calendar. 

Whether or not instruction will stream on live video chats apps like Zoom is still pending. Teaching staff has been asked to work on grading and unit planning for the duration of this week, according to the District.

“We are currently creating a framework for teachers to answer some of these questions…. That is why it is unlikely to see materials before March 30th,” Overton said. 

As of Tuesday, PRHS admin urged families to stay together and wait for more information as it is released from the District. 

“I want to reassure both students and families that we are working diligently to address the impact these events will have on your education to the best of our abilities,” Overton stated in an email sent to parents and students earlier Tuesday morning.

In the absence of instruction, the District has provided voluntary Secondary Online Enrichment for students in grades 6-12, which can be accessed on the COVID-19 information homepage on the high school website. Online learning is accessible through Clever, a service that offers specialized and accessible learning portals.

“While the circumstances we find ourselves in are challenging and unprecedented, I am looking forward to showing the world what we as a community can do to continue to serve our students’ needs while we practice social responsibility to help end this crisis,” wrote Overton.