Education amid coronavirus pandemic a steep learning curve for everyone

In this archive picture, students at Woodrow Wilson School in Middletown board buses home as classes let out for the day. Gov. Ned Lamont, who ordered all schools in the state closed until at least April 20 Monday, said Tuesday it’s likely educational institutions will reopen in the fall due to the coronavirus pandemic. less In this archive picture, students at Woodrow Wilson School in Middletown board buses home as classes let out for the day. Gov. Ned Lamont, who ordered all schools in the state closed until at least April 20 ... more Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media File Photo Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media File Photo Image 1 of / 125 Caption Close Education amid coronavirus pandemic a steep learning curve for everyone 1 / 125 Back to Gallery

MIDDLETOWN — Mother of two Emma Casarez is gaining a unique perspective on her children now that she’s homeschooling them after the governor closing all public schools until at least April 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Casarez, who, with her husband, owns Go Motors, a car sales and service center in Niantic, effectively became her children’s teacher Friday. Since then, she’s discovered homeschooling is an enlightening experience.

“The teachers are working hard to help us, but there are certain things I’m getting to explore with my kids that I don’t usually get the opportunity to do,” such as teach her children to cook and her son Spanish. The family is bilingual.

“I’m getting to see all the things the teacher sees all day that I don’t get to see — the things that frustrate her or maybe are difficult for her to deal with, and things he does do well, I only hear an interpretation of it,” she said.

Teaching her own children, however temporarily, places her in a new situation.

“You never get the opportunity to pause and pull your kid out of school for a couple weeks and assess what they’re doing. I get to see what his strengths are for myself. Who can interpret that best than the mom, but, unfortunately, we don’t get to see that because they’re in school all day,” Casarez said.

Last week, the Middletown Board of Education unanimously approved $45,000 to purchase LINC online education software. The district will move to online learning March 30, said Superintendent of Schools Michael T. Conner, who is helping set up the MPS Engagement and Enhancement Digital Learning Pathway.

Board Chairwoman Deborah Cain said there’s a possibility the district will be reimbursed for that cost through FEMA.

“Our teachers are so used to teaching in classrooms. This will take education to the next level, proving our teachers with the necessary training to teach online. It’s uncharted territory. This is all brand new. There’s no blueprint,” Cain said.

A task force comprised of the superintendent and assistant superintendent, other administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals is overseeing the transition.

“This is not going to be an easy task. It’s going to take everyone to work together to make sure it succeeds,” as it has in states already on board with LINC, including New York, Texas, Maryland.

She acknowledged board is very conscientious about expenditures, especially when it comes to large purchases.

“How are our kids going to learn if we did not provide the teachers with tools? Sometimes, we have to spend money to make sure of our students’ success. Unfortunately, most of the time, that comes with a price tag,” Cain said.

Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont ordered schools closed through at least April 20. He elaborated on his plan Tuesday in a radio interview with WCBS 880-AM, where he said Connecticut schools will likely be closed until fall.

Students could miss “what could be months of education,” he said Monday, adding schools likely will remain closed for the rest of the school year.

“We’re entering a period where this is becoming a part of our daily lives like it wasn’t a week ago,” Mayor Ben Florsheim said on Facebook Live Monday night about the coronavirus. He’s been giving regular updates on his page since the state began closing nonessential businesses and taking other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

One viewer asked how long restrictions will go on. “If there’s an end in sight, this would be a lot easier for a lot of people. I wish I could provide that,” Florsheim said. “We also have to be prepared for a longer haul than that.”

The mayor acknowledged there has been a lot of talk and confusion over the governor’s “Stay Safe, Stay Home” campaign.

“That does not mean you can’t go outside. Staying home does not mean you’re staying home within four walls at all times. … It does not mean locking yourself indoors. It does mean being smart and conscientious, and being safe about who you’re interacting with,” said Florsheim, who has been encouraging people to enjoy the fresh air by getting outdoors.

Middlesex Health announced earlier this week its service locations are closed to visitors except for those making compassionate visits. Compassionate visits include visits to see patients receiving end-of-life care and visits to see patients being cared for in the Middlesex Health Pregnancy & Birth Center.

Visitors who make compassionate care visits must be in good health and over 18, unless special permission is granted. When at the hospital, they must wash their hands frequently, according to a press release. Obstetric patients may be accompanied by one partner or birth support person. No children are allowed. No visitors or designated support persons are allowed in the Emergency Department, on North 7 and in the Crisis Intervention Unit, the release said.

Patients under 18 may be accompanied by their parents, guardians or one designated support person.

The total number of infected people in Connecticut stands at 618, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday. He reported two more deaths from COVID-19 in the state and 200 new infections.

During his daily news conference in the State Armory in Hartford, the governor stressed the need for people to keep physically distant from others. He’d rather people do it themselves, rather than further restrict movement as he did Monday night when he ordered all nonessential businesses closed for the time being.

While package stores — designated essential businesses — remain open, some are adopting stricter policies.

Durham Wine and Spirits, at 6 Main St., Durham, began providing only curbside pickup and delivery Tuesday. Its new temporary hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Linda Mone owns the liquor shop with her husband, John. Both are senior citizens, she said.

“Unfortunately there are only two of us. We won’t be able to hang in here for the public if we get sick and have to close,” said Mone, who spoke Tuesday afternoon while four customers waited outside for their purchases.

People can call 860-349-5646 to place an order. Payments require a credit card number and expiration date, with a $12 minimum. When customers arrive in the parking lot, they are asked to call the store to have their package brought to the car.

Before the change in policy, the Mones wore face masks and gloves to avoid spreading germs to customers, and vice versa, but once cases began to be reported locally a few days ago, their prevention efforts ramped up.

“We heard about people in Durham and Middletown and knew we needed to do more. We’re trying to serve our public,” she said.

For the latest information on Connecticut’s response to coronavirus, visit portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus.