Murray Wood: Of Easter bunny bells and Juicy Fruit gum
For Murray Wood, Easter brings to mind grandma's practical advice about repurposing, and some of life's little lessons.
Regina families are preparing for a return to remote learning after the Regina Catholic School Division followed Regina Public Schools’ announcement on Monday to move kids out of the classroom for two weeks.
Stacey Upson has three kids in the public school division. He is concerned for families that might not have the option to work from home when all students move to remote learning next Monday.
“I’m grateful that I get to work from home and that we are set up for the kids to be able to work from home,” Upson said. “The challenges that others are going to face with child care, I’m so glad that I don’t have to go through that at this stage.”
Terry Lazarou, the supervisor of communications for the public school division, told 980 CJME in an interview that this push to remote learning gives parents more time to prepare.
“Right now, in contrast, more than 1,000 families have had to plan almost overnight for their children to learn from home when we have had to close classrooms and schools,” Lazarou said. “This proactive intervention provides families more time to prepare and schedule care for their children.”
It’s not just parents that will have more time to prepare. Teachers will also have more time to get ready before the conversion to online learning.
“I think the big change compared to previous attempts at remote learning is that the teachers will be better prepared for this,” Upson said. “I really think it’s going to go better this time around.”
One of the biggest challenges for families with multiple kids impacted is the possibly chaotic atmosphere.
“We are in a 900-square-foot house, so when you have three children and an adult trying to work in one space, there’s noise and a fair bit of conflict between the siblings,” Upson said. “That could create some challenges.”
Students are being asked to take home anything they need to learn at the end of this week to cover the extended break. Neither parents nor students will be allowed in the schools at all during that time.
