Adapting: The 'second first day of school'

Editor’s note: Adapting is a regular series spotlighting the ways the global coronavirus pandemic is changing the everyday lives of people in Western Pennsylvania.

On Monday, students in many areas across Pennsylvania had their “second first day of school,” in the form of school districts’ online learning plan going into effect amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In the Franklin Regional School District, parents and students said this new way of learning has taken some adjustment, but overall has gone well.

“I would say the second day went better than the first,” said Amanda Faher, whose three boys would normally be in fourth grade at Heritage Elementary. Instead, the kitchen table or the den is the new classroom.

“My son Nathan’s teacher set up a video chat so he was able to chat with his classmates and play a learning game today, which he really enjoyed,” Faher said.

Stephanie Santiago, mother to four FR students, said she was initially a little worried how online learning would go.

“I used FR’s schedule guide and created colorful schedules for my children,” Santiago said. “They know what to expect each day. And if they finish their work early then they know which subject to do extra work in.”

FR Superintendent Gennaro Piraino said the success stories are the result of careful planning by the district’s teachers and administrators.

“Teams of administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals and others were all engaged in hours of meaningful dialogue, discourse and planning,” Piraino said. “The teams focused on what essential content our students need for success in their futures and the best ways to deliver these learning experiences.”

That delivery can be challenging, particularly for students with special needs.

Parent Jessica Lieu has three children in FR elementary schools, including a fifth-grader with special needs.

“He has two regular teachers for English language arts, science and social studies and his learning support team is sending a few things to work on,” Lieu said. “He also gets physical and occupational therapy during the week. We got things to work on from PT and possibly set up things for OT, also.”

The school district is also setting up an online meeting via the Zoom platform to go over her son’s individualized education plan.

“As a parent of three kids fifth grade and younger, and one with special needs, this transition is very hard at the moment,” Lieu said. “I hope after my meeting I can get more guidance on how to go about all this.”

FR senior Clairissa McCormick said her “second first day” was positive — and even a little exciting.

“It has been interesting watching some teachers who are not the most tech-savvy navigate virtual class,” she said. “It has been a little weird and definitely an adjustment doing online classes. But as a senior, the school has been fantastic in doing their best to support us. And I can’t complain too much because I don’t have to be awake for attendance until 10 a.m.!”

FR parent Priya Iyer has children in third and sixth grade. She said they are both thrilled to start online learning.

“The teachers in both schools are well prepared and have just the right amount of work so kids are not overwhelmed,” she said.

Piraino acknowledged that this is new education environment for nearly everyone involved.

“Families are juggling many balls right now, and we don’t want to make this more difficult or stressful for them,” he said. “We ask our students and parents to be patient with us as we learn. And we’ll be patient with them as they navigate this new environment.”

With Gov. Tom Wolf extending the statewide school shutdown indefinitely, FR officials said district families should anticipate online instruction through May 1.