Coronavirus precautions have shut down schools and colleges causing a shift in the educational process for administrators, students and parents.
On March 14, a state of emergency was declared by Governor Tate Reeves as he asked all public schools to extend their school breaks for at least one week. As of March 18, 31 districts have extended their school closure for two weeks to March 27.
“It’s nerve wracking, because when children are out we don’t have access to them, and children learn best when they are in the presence of their teacher,” said Miskia Davis, Superintendent of Sunflower County Consolidated School District.
Students still have access to instructional programs online while they are at home.
“Teachers are assigning lessons so that students can still continue their education at home but the thing about it is, it’s only if they choose to,” said Davis. “We can’t force them to. Here, we know what they are doing. At home we give them that option.”
Davis also acknowledges that all students may not have access to the internet to get the educational programs.
SCCSD is currently preparing for testing as they review their data they received from benchmark tests that students took before spring break.
Although school is out, administrators are still focusing on having a “Winning” district, Davis said. This closure comes six weeks before state and federal testing was set to take place, although that is now in doubt after State Superintendent Carey Wright requested a waiver this week from the federal government to nix testing for the year.
“We were supposed to meet today in preparation for testing so we could plan the next steps, but with school being out, that is putting us back,” said Davis. “Myself and the data specialist are sending data out to the principals anyway, and principals are talking with their staff remotely via phone and email.”
The Mississippi Department of Education announced on March 16 the recommendation to suspend all state and federal testing for public school districts.
For some students, the announcement is bittersweet.
“I would feel happy if I didn’t have to take the test, because I feel like it’s no reason for us to take the state test to go to the next grade or to graduate” said Aum’Brianna Walker, a junior at Gentry High School.
If no changes are made, Walker is scheduled to take the U.S history test in April.
The state board will meet virtually this week to discuss whether or not the measures Wright recommended are necessary.
The SSCSD recently became a “C” school and district and now have their sights on a higher rating despite the change in protocol.
After Reeves sent out a memorandum stating that schools should still provide lunch to students who receive free and reduced lunch, the district took immediate action and set up six feeding sites for all children 18 years or below.
The feeding sites are Drew Hunter Middle, Thomas E. Edwards, Sr., East Sunflower, Moorhead Central, Inverness Elementary, Carver Elementary, and Gentry High.
They have the opportunity to pick up a sacked lunch between 12 p.m and 1 p.m.
There will be one sack lunch for each child.
Parents are also affected by the closure of schools and daycare centers.
“It has affected me working the shifts I need to work because I don't have a babysitter,” said Jimiesha Smith, guest service agent at the Hampton Inn, “If they extended school closure I would have to quit because I would have no one to keep my baby.”
Smith has a 3-year-old daughter that usually attends BuckARoo daycare while she works in the daytime. With the closures, she now has to stay at home with her daughter.
“Also it has affected my rest” said Smith. “But having my baby at home with me and not some stranger is fine with me.”
Coronavirus precautions are also being taken by colleges such as Mississippi Delta Community College.
“Everything is really at a standstill right now,” said Tambranecia Beckworth, a student in MDCC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program. “Being that the nursing program is different from regular college. At this moment we are not able to go to clinicals due to hospitals not wanting students there. The program is making changes now, but we will not know until the end of the week. We have so much work to get done that requires us to be face to face with instructors and so little time.”
Even with the uncertainty surrounding clinicals, it is still possible for Beckworth to conclude her program in May.
Beckworth’s main concern is entering her career field.
“To be honest I wouldn’t be mad,” said Beckworth. “I just want my degree so I can start working. My main priority is graduating, I don’t care about walking.”
There is still a silver lining for Beckworth with all the wariness surrounding the coronavirus. Her position in the medical field is much needed at this time.
“It really helps it because many hospitals are looking for nurses more so now than ever” said Beckworth.
