With the state’s order to keep the doors of schools closed, districts are running with remote learning programs and find ways to help families feed students.
Predominantly rural school districts in the area are even finding their way with remote learning in the midst of a global pandemic.
United School District 304 is pushing through the difficulties of remote learning in a district where Internet access may not exist and where it does, it may be too slow to be feasible for educating kids. In all, he says about 85-90 percent of the district has internet access.
Superintendent Jeff Whitsitt tells WGIL that the district is utilizing digital services, such as Google Classroom, as well as mailing paper copies of learning materials to students.
Whitsitt says he’s seen situations where his teachers are reaching out to parents to talk about the material with them.
“Again, I’m trying to find all the positives in this [that] we can. Just seeing what our teachers are willing to do and have stepped up and done. [It] has been really enlightening for me to see just the level of dedication they have for their group of kids right now.”
Whitsitt says that the teachers, instructional coaches, and administration are learning new things about remote learning.
Whitsitt also says the district is seeing strong numbers for the number of kids getting fed through their meals programs.
He says that they serve three breakfasts and three lunches twice a week at all three of the district’s campuses for parents to pick up and feed their kids during the week.
On average, 370-380 kids are given meals, according to Whitsitt, with their busiest day seeing 400 kids being served.
“That’s just continued to grow. Every time we distribute we add more and more kids to that. It’s gone really well. I can’t say enough about or food service, particularly our head cooks and how they’ve organized that and made that hum. It’s been kind of fun to watch to see people come together and make that happen for our kids.”
The district also accepts walk-ups too, however, they’re asked to fill out paperwork to ensure enough food will be prepared.
The district serves those meals on Monday and Thursday between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.
