One aspect of daily life that was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic is school. Without school, routines were disrupted. Some kids weren’t even able to celebrate their graduations, with some opting for innovative virtual ceremonies.
While there remains a plateau in COVID-19 cases in Cobb County, the Cobb County School District updated their coronavirus guidelines. Here are some of the key takeaways, followed by tips on how you can create a productive learning space for your kids at home.
Cobb County Schools coronavirus guidelines: New updates
- Feeding programs: the Cobb County School District, in partnership with MUST Ministries, will continue to feed and provide food to students for the remainder of June. For a possible extension, check Cobb County Schools’ official website for updates.
- High School Summer School Credit Recovery: Enrolled Cobb Schools students who would like to recover school credit can sign up for Cobb County Schools’ school credit recovery program. This will be done through distance learning. Grad Point modules will be provided and teachers will be using direct instruction via video conferencing tools. If social restrictions continue to loosen, students can meet up with their teachers and instructors for one-on-one learning sessions. These will be held at Wheeler High School. The program will cost about $500 for one credit and $250 for 0.5 credit. Sessions will take place from June 15 through June 30, 2020, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Meanwhile, teacher and student orientations will be held from June 8 through June 11, 2020.
- Cancellation of school and travel events: Since March 16, the Cobb County School District elected to cancel all upcoming school and travel events for both students and teachers. This remains in effect.
- Keep it fun Decorate the workspace based on your kids’ interests. If they like sports or are a big fan of a certain athlete, adorn the area with posters or collectible figures, if they already have it. They may be toys, but they help keep your kids’ inspired. You can also hang informative yet fun posters on the walls. Just remember to keep it relevant to your children’s interests and hobbies.
- Let there be light Natural light is another great motivator, not just for adults, but for the young ones as well. Find a spot in the house that receives just the right amount of sunlight and is free from noise and other distractions. If there aren’t any, make sure to provide the right kind of lighting to avoid eye strain.
- Choose the right chair A good place to sit makes all the difference in a workspace. Find one with adequate back support and just the right height. The right chair will make working and learning comfortable, all while helping your children practice good sitting posture.
- Make the decor interesting In addition to decorating according to their interests, encourage curiosity by decking your childrens’ respective workspaces with interesting items. It could be mementos you’ve gathered from previous travels, a miniature globe they can spin around to get familiar with geography, maps, or a foreign language dictionary or two. They might not pick it up right away, but in due time, they’ll be interested enough to explore what they constantly see in their workspace. They might even get hooked on the subject! As you decorate their workspaces, remember to leave some space free. They can decorate this part on their own as their hobbies, skills, and interests expand. Then, they can truly make their workspaces their own.
- Don’t enforce a strict schedule It’s summertime! Although productive hours are always great, don’t enforce a strict schedule. Keep it flexible. The pandemic also takes its toll on children, so give them space to breathe. And if you have the time, initiate activities where you and other older members of the family can join. Learning isn’t just reserved for kids, after all!