As 'distance learning' extended, superintendent says early returns positive

Educating roughly 11,000 students every day is an enormous task in the most normal of circumstances.

During a global pandemic, and in the midst of social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders, filling classrooms and conducting lessons in any traditional way is impossible.

Rhode Island, however, has forged ahead with K-12 education during the COVID-19 crisis, transitioning to a “distancing learning” approach that has transformed bedrooms and other home spaces into virtual classrooms.

As the new effort moves toward the end of its second week, Cranston Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse said the city has experienced early success despite the swift and radical nature of the recent shift.

“Our first week went well. I am proud of the work that our administrators, teachers and support staff have done to ensure that we were up and running with distance learning in a week,” she said. “If we really take a minute to reflect, we have completely changed how we ‘do school’ for about 11,000 students, with no significant lead time, and thus far, we’ve done a commendable job with it … I am truly humbled and grateful for the outpouring of community support and the genuine collaboration we have seen over the past few weeks.”

She added: “Every school has teachers who are doing amazing things. I have heard from art teachers, robotics teachers, math teachers, social studies and guidance counselors, just to name a few, who tell me how they’re teaching and connecting with their students. As teachers, we are still trying to nurture and protect our kids, even if it’s from a distance.”

Nota-Masse said attendance rates for Cranston Public Schools have been “at or above 90 percent” since the start of distance learning on March 23. While the figure can be “difficult to judge” at times becomes some students may log on to complete work outside the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. window of the “virtual” school day, she said the district’s educators have “made an effort to reflect accurate attendance, even if the teacher changes it the next day for a student who logged on late.”

As would be expected, Nota-Masse said adapting to a fully tech-dependent environment has proven to be the district’s most significant challenge.

“It has been a huge lift for some and for others it has been an easy transition,” she said. We are all learning as we go.”

She added: “Many parents and some staff have had to learn very quickly how to be tech-savvy. We have multiple people who are able to support both families and staff get their devices and online platforms such as Google Classroom up and running. Donna-Marie Frappier and Kim Magnelli have assisted people with everything from resetting home routers and teaching people how to use ‘hot spots’ to figuring out Aspen passwords if parents forgot how to do that.”

The district also has instructional coaches to assist staff during Google Classroom and Google Hangouts sessions.

In terms of access to devices, Nota-Masse said approximately 1,500 Chromebooks have been distributed to students and families in need. Those receiving a device have been asked to receipt that includes student and parent information, along with a serial number, “so we are able to keep a record of who has a Chromebook.” She said the devices are also equipped with security features to prevent students from accessing inappropriate websites.

The effects of the “distance learning” shift have gone well beyond the classroom. The spring sports season has been indefinitely postponed, while it remains unclear if, when or how a host of celebrated spring events – from proms to graduation ceremonies – will be held.

“My heart breaks for all students who are missing out on life events because of this crisis, seniors especially,” Nota-Masse said. “I remain hopeful that we will still be able to have graduation. Even if it doesn’t look like it normally does, or isn’t at the same venue, I hope we can do something. They have worked so hard to achieve a significant milestone and to lose the opportunity to celebrate that is very sad.”

During her daily briefing Monday, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced that “distance learning” will continue for the state’s approximately 140,000 K-12 students through at least the end of April.

“I am thrilled with how well it’s going … If April goes as well as the past week, I very likely may say we’re going to do it again for the month of May,” she said.

The governor additionally announced that the state’s four major cellular service providers – Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint – are offering free “hotspot” service to anyone with a cell phone through May 18 as part of an effort to ensure families without internet access can more easily participate in virtual lessons. Cox Communications is also offering two free months of internet service and a reduced rate thereafter for qualified families.

“I cannot thank enough the teachers and principals who are making this happen,” the governor said. “You’re innovating, you’re working hard, you’re making me proud of you.”

Nota-Masse also had praise for educators. The Cranston Teachers’ Alliance, she said, has been an “amazing partner with us in getting this started.”

“To all of my staff who have been working tirelessly to make distance learning possible, this has been a community effort,” she said. “Our teachers are critical to the success of distance learning and they have certainly made tremendous efforts across all levels to make it work. I am so proud of their dedication and enthusiastic work.”

Nota-Masse said the governor and Mayor Allan Fung, along with their respective staffs, have been “incredible” in terms of providing support during the “distance learning” shift. She also praised the members of the city’s School Committee and City Council for their regular communication and support.

She added: “I also want to thank parents who practically overnight have become tech-savvy teachers, counselors and therapists, while still managing their own jobs and family commitments. We all realize this is difficult and by working together, we hope it gets easier. Helping families and students manage online education is our goal. Everyone I talk to misses their normal lives, but we are doing our best to keep students engaged in their education.”