Questions answered: How Victorian schools will operate during lockdown
What happens to children who have to go to school? When will the school day begin? And how many other pupils will be in their classroom? These are the answers to your questions about Victoria’s “homeschooled” second term.
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With Victorian schools — and the children they educate — uniquely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, parents are likely to be left with many uncertainties.
Here, the Herald Sun has answered the top questions pertaining to how the state’s kids will be educated from Term 2 and beyond.
HOW SCHOOL WILL WORK
Q: Is Term 2 being delayed?
A: There is no change to the start date, which for most schools is Wednesday, April 15.
Q: Can I send my child to school in Term 2?
A: Only if they cannot stay home. If they can learn from home, they must stay home.
Q: I need to go to work — what should I do?
A: Schools will be open for children who can’t stay at home to learn.
Q: Can I get a nanny to help make sure my children are doing remote learning at home?
A: Yes, carers such as nannies are allowed if parents are working.
Q: What happens if I have one school aged child and one in childcare?
A: Childcare is still open for those who need it. If your school-aged child can learn from home, they should.
Q: Won’t my child get a better education if he/she goes to school instead of stays at home?
A: No, all children will be doing remote learning, even those who physically go to school.
Q: Who will look after my child if they have to go to school?
A: They will be supervised on the grounds and in classrooms where they will do distance learning with teachers working remotely.
Q: Won’t children get coronavirus at school?
A: Social distancing, including separation of desks, is occurring and so is extra cleaning.
Q: How many students will be in classrooms?
A: A maximum of 10.
Q: What if I don’t have the internet?
A: The state government is providing thousands of dongle or 4G SIM cards for students in need, provided by Telstra. Contact your school for assistance.
Q: What if I don’t have a laptop or computer?
A: Schools will contact parents to check on devices. Laptops or tablets will be supplied to those who need one.
Q: I don’t know my child’s subject matter does that impact their learning?
A: No, teachers will provide expertise, the most important thing is to provide a supportive and encouraging environment.
Q: How will I know what is happening with my child’s education?
A: Schools will continue to use normal communication tools such as websites, newsletters and emails to send information to parents.
Q: When will remote learning be done?
A: School hours will continue as normal, for example 9am to 3.30pm with rolls marked remotely.
Q: Will my children have face-to-face contact with teachers online?
A: Learning will be done over various online platforms — for example work sheets submitted through Compass, or instructions via WebEx or Google Hangouts. Schools will decide on the best approach for students.
Q: What if my child can’t get access to online worksheets?
A: As a last resort they will be sent to households in hard copies.