Patience critical as schools adjust to remote classes

BY Amanda Martilla

Railey Berry, top, and Aidan Moreno, bottom, stand in front of their computers for the Pledge of Allegiance as their day begins of remote school. Both are members of Mrs. Paule’s 4th Grade Class at Tuscany Hills Elementary. Photo by Jennifer Berry

The beginning of the 2020-2021 school year has demanded more flexibility and patience from everyone involved than any other school year in memory. Teachers, students and parents alike are facing difficulties and at times extremely high frustration levels. Meanwhile, many families are adapting to the new virtual schooling system and are relying on others for help.

“I wish things were different and my kiddos could go back to school, but we’re making it work the best way we can,” Jessi Palmieri, mother of two elementary school students, said. “We’ve had a pretty positive experience, but I know a couple parents who haven’t.”

In the past few weeks, teachers and parents have been scrambling to make school work for their children by learning how to utilize new online tools. Online platforms “Zoom,” “Canvas,” “Clever” and “ParentSquare” are just a few of the new terms that parents, students and teachers have added to their vocabularies. Although most of these platforms were offered previously, they are much more of a necessity now amidst the pandemic.

Photo by Debbie Moreno

While these tools and platforms have been essential for interaction and communication between schools and families, they can come with their own set of problems. Many families have faced technology issues, such as inability to login, lack of internet connection or audio issues. In most cases, these problems are able to be resolved with the help of teachers, administrators and fellow parents.

Parents and teachers have stepped up to the challenge by creating groups, such as the “LEUSD Parents in Canyon Lake” Facebook group, to help communicate and share resources. Many have taken the time to explain online resources to others or to offer advice. These communities have also offered parents a space to vent their frustrations to fellow parents, away from students and their teachers.

When Zoom crashed on Monday, many students and parents were worried and did not know what to do. This is just one example of the unpredictable obstacles of virtual learning. However, the issue was soon resolved and most students were able to either start on time or no more than an hour late. Teachers, of course, were flexible with their students.

“We haven’t run into any technical issues, but today my daughter wasn’t able to see her teacher via Zoom because of issues with her teacher’s meeting room,” Jessi said. “These instances are frustrating, but we can’t do anything about it.”

Another issue with Zoom has been coined “Zoom bombing”, similar to “photo bombing,” in which people who are not part of a teacher’s class are joining the virtual meetings and causing disruptions. The school district has been working to resolve this with better security and are implementing “Zoom authentication.”

Despite the problems that arise on a daily basis when it comes to virtual schooling, progress is being made. Schools are doing their best to offer help to parents and parents are leaning on each other for support. Frustration has been inevitable, but it has been accompanied by ample amounts of patience.

“I think all schools have done a good job with the start of school,” Lisa Beckett-Tucker, mother of sophomore Madeline, said. “They offered devices to kids who didn’t have them and are really working hard to do the best they can.”