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All across the country, school districts, colleges, and universities are closing and moving to online instruction due to the coronavirus. That is leading some parents to worry that their kids’ K-12 school could be next. How do we prepare for something that may or may not happen?
As of March 16, more than 69,000 K-12 schools have or are closing, affecting more than 35.9 million US students in 35 states and the District of Columbia, according to Education Week. China, Italy, Japan, and Ireland have closed all schools because of COVID-19 and it’s not clear when they’ll reopen.
How to prepare for a possible school closure
It’s hard to know if your public school district or private school will decide to close, but in areas where there are known cases of coronavirus that seems to be the course of action. The Los Angeles Unified School District — the second largest in the nation — announced that it’s closing all 860 campuses and the state of Ohio announced that schools will close there for three weeks.
Los Angeles parent Courtney Lewis told Mom.com that she has been getting her household ready in the event of school closures.
“I am preparing,” she said. “We have stocked up on food and supplies. I have also gotten some new games, puzzles, craft things, and books that I’m saving if/when school gets closed," she said. "I am worried about all the kids that depend on school for their breakfast and lunch.”
She’s not the only one. In many school districts across the country, students depend on schools for nutrition and support.
“We understand and recognize that many families rely on our schools for more than just their child’s education,” Los Angeles Unified Schools board member Nick Melvoin said in a statement. “We provide a means of childcare for many of our working parents, serve up to three meals a day to many of our students, and offer a safe and welcoming environment to more than 18,000 students experiencing homelessness.”
During the closure, LAUSD will be opening family resource centers at some school sites to provide childcare and meal distribution along with the Red Cross.
What should you ask your schools?
My teenager’s high school sent a message to students saying they should be prepared for a school closure by taking their books and technology home every day, instead of leaving them in their lockers. And, along with parents, the were instructed to monitor school communication for information. They also said to stay calm and let teachers, counselors, or school administration know if they need support.
Melvoin urged parents to make sure that the school has their most up-to-date information so they can get school communications. He also recommended that parents have age-appropriate conversations with their kids so they understand what’s going on.
Alternative learning
Many school districts are trying to figure out how education will continue for kids that are forced to stay home. There is no plan for at-home instruction in Ohio schools. In Los Angeles, the district is working with local public television stations to provide educational programming if schools close.
“We have plans for continued learning which students will take home with them today and additional support will be provided to assist this transition to a different way of learning and teaching,” Melvoin said in a statement.
Lewis said she is not sure how it will play out.
“I hope they are working on some online learning, so we don't have to extend the school year,” she said.
