GREENSBORO, N.C. — Parents posted the first day of school pictures and lots of smiling faces and even their DIY classrooms. But a lot of those smiles turned to frustration when two statewide glitches within the first three days of school stopped remote learning. While it wasn’t any school district’s fault, it is still an issue for them to navigate.
For 45 minutes, we asked your questions to Guilford County Schools leaders: Dr. Whitney Oakley, Chief Academic Officer, Mrs. Angie Henry, Chief Operations Officer, and Dr. Jamie King, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning & Professional Development.
DEVICES NEEDED
There are about 5,200 children in the school district without any kind of device at home. While devices have been ordered, they probably won't be in until the end of November. GCS is asking for the community to donate the gently used devices they no longer need. If you have devices equipped with a camera, audio and a charger please deliver them to the offices in Greensboro, 712 N. Eugene Street, or at the High Point office at 900 English Road.
Community members can also purchase new device by donating the cost of a device (approximately $350) to a fund at the Guilford Education Alliance (GEA). For more information call 336-841-4332.
In this video: Contingency plans when there is a statewide glitch, virtual school deadlines, and registration
FREE MEALS PROVIDED BY GCS:
The district will continue to provide free meals to students through August 31st. The district is currently working on plans to extend meals into the fall and is encouraging all families to fill out a meal benefits application.
Four more schools have been added to the list of sites serving meals:
Foust, McNair, and Guilford Elementary schools as well as Gateway Education Center. The meals at these centers and 45 other school sites are from 11 am to Noon.
There are 65 neighborhood food locations serving from 11 to 1 pm.
In this video: device donations needed, how learning sites will work come August 31.
VIRTUAL SCHOOL REGISTRATION/UNREGISTRATION
Several parents have said they were having trouble either registering for Virtual School or un-registering. We will take that question to school leaders.
Under the district’s FAQ, it shows you have until September 15 to register or unregister. But know this, once the deadline passes, you cannot switch out until after the semester is completed.
In this video: resources to help students stay focused, cafeteria workers, free school meal sites, and applications as well as how attendance is recorded.
In this video: how students & teachers communicate during live lessons, Canvas vs Virtual School.
In this video: What if you're not comfortable with sending your kids back to in-person learning, can substitute teachers teach virtually, openings for teachers.
In this video: who do you get in touch with for password or ID issues, ESL student helps, and Virtual School submissions.
