San Ramon Schools Adapt To Remote Learning

SAN RAMON, CA — After months of sitting behind computer screens to go to school, students and teachers continue to face challenges that arise from this new learning environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the threat of the coronavirus spreading, schools in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) have been shut down since March 13 of the 2019-20 school year. Going into this school year, remote learning has left many wishing that students can return.

“The best part of my job is the kids and they’re not there,” said California High School Principal Megan Keefer.

Many high schoolers have struggled to find motivation while working at home, while teachers still struggle to keep their students engaged with the class, said Dougherty Valley High School junior Ana Yi.

With a simple click of a button, students are able to turn off their microphones and cameras, leaving their teachers to question if they’re really present in class or not. But by choosing to keep their cameras on, students are opening their homes and privacy to their classmates. That can be difficult for some, said Dougherty Valley High art teacher Kelsey Wengel.

“You’re inviting your teacher and whole class into your personal space,” Wengel said.

This makes it hard for students and teachers to connect with one another, as they are missing out on the social interactions that in-person school provides, said California High senior Anika Gautam. But the anxiety that many have when their camera is on adds another level of complexity.

“It’s just not the same anymore,” Gautam said. “I wish there were more interactions between students.”

Overall, students within San Ramon have seemed to be making the best out of a bad situation. Teachers like Wengel say that remote learning has never been ideal, but students and staff have had to adapt as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. Some students are still struggling to learn online, Keefer said

“[Students are] connecting with teachers, they’re laughing, they seem to be doing okay,” she said.

Teachers have also had to adjust their learning techniques and the platforms they use as the school year has gone on, said Wengel. Just like students, they said they’ve been learning what works and how to operate as best they can in this environment.

“[My teachers are] making the effort to consolidate all the information we need into one place,” said Dougherty senior Noah Ho.

Though Contra Costa County is expected to see the state tighten restrictions soon, the county is currently in the orange tier, or the second-best tier, of the state’s four-tiered, color-coded reopening plan, which means schools may reopen with safety precautions. Now, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District is asking students and families to decide whether they will stay remote or go to a hybrid learning model for the rest of the school year. Students and their parents will have until Friday to make this binding decision.

While many people have missed in-person interactions, the fear of contracting or spreading the virus could prove to be a deterrent.

“I wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk,” said California junior Maison Erridge.

In these uncertain times, the future of schooling in San Ramon and across the country is still unclear, but for now students and staff say they will continue to adapt.

“I don’t expect to go through a school year that’s easy,” Yi said.