Published: August 4, 2020
The State of education in New York — and around the world — is rapidly changing as a result of COVID-19. Currently, the State of New York is looking to reopen some schools for blended learning in the new school year.
Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester is prepared to provide private tutoring to help students adapt to the blended learning that they can likely expect in the school year to come.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that schools will only reopen in regions that are in phase 4 and maintain a daily infection rate of under 5 percent.
Due to fluctuating numbers, the government will make the official decision to (or not to) reopen schools in August. The government has also said it will react quickly and ask students to return home and engage in virtual learning if numbers in regions rise.
As we prepare students and teachers to return to school potentially, it is essential to provide students with the tools they need to adapt and find success with blended learning.
What is Blended Learning?
Blended learning refers to educating through both traditional in-class and e-learning practices. Blended learning blends the flexibility of remote learning with face to face learning to provide a comprehensive education.
Blended learning will likely become students’ new standard for the considerable future and will require some accommodation and time management. This transition will be a significant learning curve for educators, students, and parents who are new to balancing online and in-class learning.
The good news is that Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester is prepared to give students the tools they need to adjust to these changes and develop time management and study habits for academic success.
Tips for Transitioning Your Child Into Blended Learning
Talk About Hygiene
When schools reopen, it will be a requirement for students to social distance on campus. Schools will reconfigure community spaces like gyms and atriums to make this feasible. It is essential to emphasize the importance of social distancing at school (and in general) and to educate your child on how to maintain hygienic safety in the classroom.
The New York State Education Department presented a framework of guidelines to the Board of Regents that schools will need to maintain to sustain operation after reopening. These guidelines include consistent hygienic practices that will be enforced and expected from staff and students, including social distancing, wearing masks, regular handwashing, and disinfecting common areas.
Consider One-On-One Tutoring
Every student learns differently, which means that students will respond to blended learning in various ways. Depending on an individual’s learning style, this style of learning may elevate a student’s learning abilities or create gaps in their knowledge.
One-on-one tutoring can provide students with the additional tools and resources they may need to accommodate this transition.
At Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester, our private tutors provide a personalized approach to education to fill any gaps in knowledge. We give students the tools they need to gain academic confidence.
We believe that every child is capable of learning and requires a personalized approach to education to set and reach their academic goals. Consider how your child can benefit from private tutoring at this time.
We can provide one-on-one, small group, and micro-classroom tutoring services across Westchester County either at your home, in your backyard, or a safe public space of your choice. Note that our micro-classroom students contain a maximum of 5-7 students.
Streamline Communication with Educators
Blended learning will be a new experience for students, educators, and parents alike, which is why it’s essential to keep all communication lines open. Discuss with your child and their educators (both teachers and tutors) to monitor their progress and identify the tools they may need for further success.
Prep Academy Tutors prioritizes communication to ensure that everyone is always on the same page and involved in a student’s educational journey.
Check In
It’s essential to understand how significant changes in education and life can impact a student’s mental health. How is your child coping with these changes? What do they find to be the most challenging about the transition? Talk to your child to understand where they are at; encourage dialogue to address different pain points as they come.
Encourage Classmate Discussions
No one will understand quite what students are experiencing right now more than their peers. Students all learn differently, but they can also learn from one another and their shared experiences. Consider encouraging your child to talk to their classmates so that they can form feasible strategies and find success at this time of transition.
Manage Online Distractions
Technology plays an essential role in blended learning. It is crucial to help your student manage any online distractions that may occur when e-learning.
Consider how you can help your child stay on task when learning on their device, even when entertainment sources are just a click away.
You can reward your child for staying on task with free computer time, or integrate other incentives that will motivate them not to let their attention wander. You can also challenge them to focus for specific periods and allow breaks in between tasks. It all depends on how your child learns best.
Stay Informed
Stay informed not only on your child’s academic journey but also on the overall state of education in New York.
Considering that circumstances are changing quickly in the state due to the fluctuating cases of COVID-19, it’s essential to utilize the news and school newsletters to stay in the know. Staying informed will help you better plan ahead and discuss future changes with your child before they occur.
Prepare to Pivot
It will be confirmed in August whether or not schools will reopen in New York come September. Governor Cuomo has stated that if numbers and conditions change between when announcement and the first day of school, schools will not reopen.
He has also stated that schools will close again if numbers change. It is essential to be aware of the fluctuating circumstances that impact this situation and have the tools and resources to pivot quickly.
Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester will continue to offer online tutoring and other tutoring services to help students continue education as these changes occur and help minimize the gaps in knowledge they may experience.