WACO, TX — Waco ISD parent Charra Burns chose to keep her kids in remote learning this semester. Working from home as a certified educator, she thought it would be easy. But of course, some days are hectic juggling it all.
"It's a challenge, but do the best I can. Try to use alarms and stay in routines and scheduling," Burns said.
She hopes to bring her kids back to in-person learning for the spring semester, but there's still a big what if.
"I'll just have to see how the numbers are looking within the school and the community and then go from there," Burns said.
There are seven total schools in Waco ISD that are currently in full remote-learning. Helping with some of these closures is Transformation Waco.
Dr. Karen Hassell, the Executive Director of School Leadership, says it's not a surprise when cases pop up.
"The more we put more students and adults in rooms together, we just increase the opportunity for transmission," Dr. Hassell said.
Soon it wont be just COVID-19 possibly spreading. The flu, strep throat and the common cold will start to be factors in kids getting sick.
That's why it's especially important for the district to be diligent in it's health practices, but they want to make sure those practices extend to the home life as well.
"We want kids and families and adults to know that we've got to be safe everywhere," Dr. Hassell said.
As remote learning continues to happen throughout any school district, Waco ISD has a game plan to strengthen those remote learning practices with teachers and faculty.
"If we had to go remote and go remote quickly, we are still prepared to deliver a quality instruction to our students," Dr. Hassell said.
Burns loves being able to teach her kids from home, but she would love even more to send them back to school with friends.
"Whether we're in school or outside of school, just consider ourselves but others as well," Burns said
Waco ISD is also providing free rapid COVID-19 tests to students and faculty at schools that have been hit the hardest. They hope to expand those services soon.
