A New Back-to-School

Story originally published in the Sept. 3, 2020 issue of Villij News

With over 630,000 cases of COVID-19 in Florida, its clear the virus has changed our way of life. As parents deal with job loss, food insecurity, and worrying to make ends meet during the pandemic, virtual school can mean added stress.

While Broward County Public Schools opened virtually on August 19, it is unknown when school will return to normal. Superintendent Robert Runcie will visit reopening in October, if the virus’ positivity rate stays at 3%. The current positivity rate is 5%.

“Parents and caregivers all across this country and the nation have awakened to how difficult and challenging the teaching profession can be and how essential the functioning of our public schools can be to our economy,” Runcie said.

For parents struggling with virtual school, micro-schooling has emerged as a new trend to ease the minds of struggling parents. A group of 10 or less students of varying age groups meet under the leadership of a teaching professional. Some hire a private teacher at the cost of $1,000 a week. Other models use laid-off parents or family members to care for children. Families and neighbors can alternate cooking lunches for the week, being a host site or providing group instruction or providing personal protective equipment. Some churches have also begun offering these services, like First Baptist Pompano Beach.

During this pandemic, it’s also in your best interest to check out schools that have selective or high-caliber programs. These programs usually have waiting lists, but due to COVID-19, they are more likely to have space available for your children.