Stay-at-home orders have been issued, indefinite quarantines have been established, and schools across the nation have closed in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In Wallingford, schools have also been making adjustments to face the impacts of the pandemic, introducing a new system of distance learning for students.
Because of the pervasive nature of the coronavirus, the Wallingford Board of Education was forced to make quick adaptations to accommodate online learning, requiring dedicated and immediate planning from the town. Dr. Salvatore Menzo, superintendent of the Wallingford Public School District, said, “When first approaching this challenge, we were not certain if it would be for a week or a month. That fact necessitated multiple plans to be drafted.”
Before starting classes, the Board of Education first addressed a primary concern for many students and families: their ability to access technology from home. In response to this issue, Dr. Menzo wanted to ensure “a distribution of technology to those in need,” so the school system allowed students to borrow Chromebooks and mobile hotspots. After filling out a tech support form, any student without stable access to the internet was eligible for loaning both resources. In order to adhere to social distancing guidelines, schools set up various times for students to pick up their chromebook and/or hotspot.
Distance learning for Wallingford students officially began on March 19 and is expected to continue until at least May 20, a couple of weeks short of year-end. Classes are asynchronous, and students are assigned classwork and homework through applications such as Google Classroom.
Students who rely on reduced or free meals are still able to receive food resources through local food pick-up sites. Starting April 20, meal distribution services will be available at three locations across town on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Aidan Strahowski, a junior at Lyman Hall High School, said, “Work is assigned online, so we’re not expected to be in class at certain times unless we’re having a Google Meet with a teacher. Now that teachers are starting to learn the programs, they’re starting to use those a bit more.”
Although officials are working to adapt as best they can to the crisis, students and teachers alike note the challenges of distance learning, explaining the differences in how effectively teachers and students are able to assign and complete work. “A lot of teachers don’t [usually] use programs like Google Classroom or assign homework online. So, while some teachers have adapted really well to online learning, others have had difficulty,” said Strahowski.
George Giacco, a science teacher at Dag Hammarskjold Middle School, explained that while teachers had a few short meetings regarding distance learning, they received minimal training.
Despite the circumstances, members of the school system are working diligently to resolve challenges and maintain the best learning environment possible. Strahowski said, “All in all, teachers have adapted really well given the circumstances. It’s not perfect by any stretch, but I don’t think it could realistically be much better given the scenario.”
Mr. Giacco said that “the school system is doing a great job at being flexible.”
While Wallingford schools are facing an unprecedented challenge, teachers and faculty are working endlessly to ensure a smooth transition. Dr. Menzo said, “To their credit, our teachers flipped their classrooms and ways of instruction in less than a week. They are continuing to develop capacity and expanding their knowledge.”
He added, “Everyone needs to remember that we did not choose to go to distance learning, but rather it chose us due to the virus outbreak. If we had chosen to move in this direction, much more time and planning would have undoubtedly occurred.”
Although Wallingford is facing the many challenges of the coronavirus, there is still a strong sense of community. “The key right now for the community is for everyone to have patience with each other,” said Dr. Menzo. “I know the Wallingford Community will be supportive in this way. They have been before, and I do not expect anything different at this time.”
