A school district in Lakewood is finalizing plans to go with online classrooms as coronavirus concerns may shut down the school at any time.
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The town is presented by unique challenges in its public schools, if and when they go to online based learning. One hundred percent of the students receive free or reduced meals, and a large population of the students don't speak English.
Fortunately for the students, plans are ready. The technology staff tested Google classroom in case schools are ordered to close. Administrators prepared 30 days’ worth of lesson plans for each grade to be sent home in a booklet.
As for students who don't have access to computers, the district purchased laptops for families in need. Buses will be used to deliver free and reduced lunches to the children at their designated bus stops, and most importantly, bilingual counselors are on hand today when school is in session to help with the kids’ anxiety.
“We also have 100% free and reduced lunch so when there is no school,” says Michael Inzelbuch, with the Lakewood Board of Education Counsel. “If there's no school, we are going to transport our lunches via buses to the bus stops. We don't want the kids coming into the buildings. If we are closed, many of our kids don't have access to get here anyway if there is no school."
Schools remain open as of now, but that could change.
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