Parents respond to Springfield’s distance learning updates

Starting Thursday, Springfield Public Schools announced Monday that every student will be learning online beginning Thursday.

10 or less.

Springfield public schools announced yesterday that*all students will now be learning online starting thursday.

Even kindergarten and first grade students who began in-person learning last week.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy is live in springfield after speaking to parents about the sudden change.

Kennedy, how are families feeling?

Chynna, there's definitely a lot of*mixed opinions out here in springfield, as some tough realities are beginning to sink in for families.

See, the plan was for the youngest learners to be back in springfield's classrooms--which did happen for just a bit, but now*every student will be learning from their own home in a few days..

And here's why.

After rising covid-19 cases over the past weeks, this forced district leaders to make the call, saying it's just not safe enough for students to walk through the doors.

It is still*unsure as to when doors will open back up.

But the county's covid-19 cases must remain down, before in person instruction can be made a possibility.

After speaking with several families today, issues surrounding childcare, those with a disability and moving around parents' work schedules are sparking back up again.

But others say, the district is doing the best they can.

"it's an interesting process.

I think the schools are doing the best they can in light of everything going on.

I know it's not easy for teachers either.

We sometimes get emails from teachers at 7 in the morning or 8 o clock at night so i know they are working a range of hours too.

It's got to be challenging for them as well."

Phoner:"the hope moving forward for my child would be to have the in person setting that he was used to previously to help him with his social and emotional development which is really important for my child at this age in his life."

I did reach out to a spokesperson with springfield public schools who said that even with all the moving parts, the district's protocols and preparation seemed to have been*working.

Such as different check ins, recesses and putting students in smaller groups for the younger learners who*did return back to school.

The district says they*miss all of their students and look forward to their return..but safety must be made a priority...so for now, it's distance learning for*all.