SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Many families will be spending the weekend working on a lesson plan after school closures became official Friday as part of the effort to slow the rate coronavirus cases.
Starting Monday, all public school districts in San Diego County will shut down for at least three weeks, which includes spring break for many.
The school closures will make it tough tough for parents who have to work, and many are scrambling on what to do with their kids and jobs.
“It's hard when parents have to work and kids are not going to school,” said Kevin Tran.
Kevin is a single dad and was hoping his parents could watch his 12-year-old daughter Jolie, but the school district is recommending grandparents avoid this since people over the age of 65 are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
“If you do have an elderly person caring for your child that is all the more reason for your child not to be skirting around playgrounds with other kids,” said Dr. Howard Taras, SDUSD physician.
Before and after school programs are in place, and school districts are encouraging children to avoid playgrounds and congregating with other children. On Monday, The Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego will extend hours from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Clairemont, 4S Ranch, Conrad Prebys Escondido.
All other club locations will be closed.
YMCA San Diego closed its children’s programs including childcare and camps.
“Even for us, the thought of working from home with two kids under six is a little daunting,” said Brittany Severhill.
Her 6-year-old son Archer is going to do video classes with his teacher on their computer, but not all schools, or children have the tools to do that.
The San Diego Unified School District said it is not implementing lesson plans, but teachers who have chosen to continue lessons have sent home packets.
SDUSD also plans to partner with KPBS for education programs and post material to its website by Monday.
On social media parents have offered, cooking, and Youtube dance classes to stay active.
One mother recommended education websites: “There are plenty of educational websites. Starfall, abcmouse, hour of code, vidcode, prodigy, cool math games, dreambox, Khan academy, etc,” wrote Tara Baker.
Many parents are also wanting to know about making up missed days.
Andrew Sharp, with the San Diego Unified School District said under Governor Newsom’s order, schools will not lose funding for missed days and most likely the district will not have to make up those days missed.
The district is also offering sack lunches at eight sites which includes breakfast for the next day.
Click here for locations.
Also The Child Mind Institute encourages parents not to leave their child in the dark about the Coronavirus.
With school being closed, many students are worried, and they recommend you allow your child to drive the conversation and let them ask questions.
