School closures due to the surge in Coronavirus cases caused CVUSD to turn to distance learning classrooms. This means that classes would resume through online resources like Google Classroom, Google Meets, Zoom Calls, and Classroom webpages. Teachers and students will soon have to adapt to the extended learning plans put in place by the district and most of America.

The idea of online learning struck worry in some students and a sense of relief in others. Advanced placement, performing arts, culinary, and math were some of the main subjects that students were concerned about. Considering the fact that these subjects are mainly hands-on and are taught in a unique style by each teacher, turning to online learning would make it difficult for both the student and instructor to adapt to online learning.

Students like Andrea Mendez, a senior in AP classes, believed that extended learning won’t prepare her for the AP test since “we’ve been used to learning in classrooms where the education is hands-on. Learning online would make it easier for distractions to occur and won’t be as beneficial as physically being in a classroom.” Some students like Juan Sierra, a sophomore also involved in AP classes, claimed that extended learning helps him catch a mental break from all the stresses of high school but it, “still doesn’t beat losing a proper education.”

Not only did students feel the pressure during this time but when teachers found out that schools were closing they too were stressed. According to Education Post, “Last week was stressful for all of us educators, and the coming weeks will provide us with even more challenges, I’m sure.  Instructors were only given two weeks to train and prepare for online learning which isn’t much, but they worked hard to make sure their students had the best distance learning possible.”

Teachers had to resort to using Google classroom, Zoom, Google hangout, Remind, and Classlink. A majority of teachers decided to use these sites during extended learning as an easy way to assign and collect work from students. Apps like Zoom and Google Hangouts have made meetings with the instructor and peers easy through video conferencing and is incredibly beneficial to students who need face-to-face instruction. However, for those who are confident in their abilities without needing to meet face-to-face, Remind is where they’d contact their teachers,

When you visit a class page on the Don Lugo website you will notice that every teacher has updated their syllabi and has provided the student with the extended learning plans given by the district. Teachers have also created virtual office hours which are the best times students can reach the teacher in case they have questions. So far, teachers seem to have the materials they need to reach their students and continue instruction, and it’s obvious they are trying their best to provide for students.