When the state announced the closure of all schools on
Monday, March 16, due to the coronavirus pandemic, educators had to address the
challenges of transitioning to remote education, while tending to the academic,
physical, and emotional needs of their students. The closing down of school
buildings did not suppose the deterioration of the learning experience of
students, as schools in New Orleans made a tremendous effort to adjust to the
ever-changing situation brought about by the virus.
According to The New Orleans Digest, One of the main challenges that schools faced when
transitioning to remote learning was food insecurity. As a large number of
students depend on the school system for breakfast and lunch, a significant
portion of the school's population was put at risk of facing food insecurity. Approximately
83 percent of students in New Orleans public schools come from economically
disadvantaged backgrounds, which meant that the schools had to come up with a
plan in order to meet the basic needs of these students, regardless of the
cancellation of in-person classes. In order to respond to this challenge, many
outdoor lunchrooms remained open, providing students under the age of 18 with
bagged meals handed at a safe social distance. Similarly, charter networks and
schools combined efforts with NOLA public schools in order to distribute meals
around different sites of the city. The city-wide distribution will continue to
give out 125,000 weekly meals through the months of June and July.
The mental health of students was also considered a priority
when transitioning to new learning methods as schools began to close down in
March. A mental health hotline was launched, and several webinars were hosted
online for families helping children to cope with the changes that the pandemic
has brought about. Some educators have turned to alternative methods, such as
holding recess and important celebrations online in order to keep students
connected and motivated.
In terms of academics, schools across the city have engaged
with a combination of online and physical coursework meant to keep students on
top of their subjects. Physical coursework was delivered to some students
through bus routes, meal sites, or mail. Technology access was one of the
biggest hardships when it came to remote learning. Not all children and families
have access to electronic devices or an internet connection. As much as 55
percent of families who make under $20,000 annually do not have internet
access. As a response to this issue, the Orleans Parish School Board approved
the allocation of funds for the purchase of Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots for
students in need.
A Louisiana Department of Education survey conducted in
April showed that teachers at 100 percent of New Orleans schools were reaching
out weekly to their students across all grade levels. This demonstrates how
educators have adapted to giving the students the best learning experience
possible, regardless of the circumstances. The majority of New Orleans schools
provided resources that were specific to the grades and courses of the
students. The learning materials provided covered at least the four core
subjects of English language arts, math, science, and social studies across all
grade levels.
As the decision to return to in-person classes is yet to be
decided in the upcoming months, schools and educators continue to innovate
their teaching methods in order to provide a safe and enriching educational
experience, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Their main priority is keeping
children safe and healthy while they are learning. The efforts of educators and
schools across the city demand to be praised after the successful completion of
the school year in the face of the virus.
