With Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s announcement that all school facilities will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, schools in the Champaign-Urbana area will continue online learning.

During the past month, Champaign Unit 4 School District has been working to ensure a transition to remote learning that will be accessible to all students in the area.

According to Jessica Bradford, principal at Barkstall Elementary, the district has been integrating the new online learning systems in a series of phases. 

Phase I, which took place from April 6-10, focused on checking in and connecting with families. In addition, schools provided resources and suggested activities for students to participate in from home.

The second phase introduced learning plans that reviewed previous standards. This phase concluded on April 17.

Phase III, which began April 20, focuses more on the at-home learning plan. Teachers are utilizing online resources such as Google Classroom, Zoom video conferences, weekly newsletters, emails and more.

Bradford said that while teachers must follow the plans, they have the autonomy to choose their own guidelines for which skills to focus on and how to teach them. 

“I think everyone’s learning is affected, no matter the student age level. We have to remember that our kids are resilient, and they will succeed,” Bradford added.

In order to keep the new online learning from overwhelming students, the schools are trying not to push new curriculum ideas and will be focusing on review to ensure curriculum equity.

Angela Ward, assistant superintendent for achievement and equity, said the situation has been bittersweet. 

“This opportunity has been, I believe, a wonderful opportunity for teachers to understand the sheer nature of the importance and impact they have on students. I think families understand that as well,” Ward said.

Ward added that the transition has also been an opportunity for educators to reflect on their connections with students and the way they engage with students.

“It’s given us a lot of drive and passion to ensure we don’t leave any of our students behind,” Ward said.

As not all students have access to technology at home, schools in the area are supplying Chromebooks and WiFi to those who need it. 

“It’s pushing us toward more one on one technology to a certain extent, pushing our community to think about equity as it relates to who has access and who doesn’t,” Ward said.

According to Ward, about a thousand Chromebooks were already given out to students. The district will continue to supply families with necessary technology, including the 1,346 requests currently in process.

The district is also offering a food distribution plan for those 18 and younger and any individual in the Young Adult Program.

Pamela Hinz, Parent Teacher Association president at Barkstall Elementary and parent of three students, said Unit 4 and each school is doing a tremendous job in accommodating students with what they need to be successful in remote learning. 

Hinz added that the schools are stressing the importance of time limits on school work as well as taking care of mental health needs during the unprecedented time. 

“As the parent, trying to become the teacher to three different grade levels has been tricky,” Hinz said. “It’s been a long while since I have multiplied decimals and added fractions with whole numbers … so I just try to tell the boys that we are learning this together.”

[email protected]