Round Rock ISD to begin online instruction April 6, with emphasis on flexibility

ROUND ROCK, Texas — Even though Round Rock ISD extended school closures through April 13, students' education won't stop, with online instruction beginning April 6.

The district sent out a letter Thursday, informing parents of the program they are rolling out in a little more than a week.

Students will access assignments, recorded lessons from the teacher, and feedback through Google Classroom and the Round Rock ISD email system. Teachers will soon be reaching out to their students to provide more information on how their individual class will function on these platforms.

"We started out with developing core values, which I think was hugely important in the final model that emerged. Those values were - first - establish student and staff and families' well-being. In this crazy time we thought that was really important because we know the stress families are going through," said Round Rock ISD Chief of Teaching and Learning Mandy Estes.

Previously, students were able to access optional online educational resources.

However, parents like Kim Cifarelli say they're excited to get a better idea of how the district plans to continue educating their children during these closures.

"I'm glad to get something concrete, a plan to put into action. What they had given us before with multiple websites was great to keep us busy, but I think after this amount of time we need something more structured, so I'm excited to see what comes out," Cifarelli said.

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The district plans to move forward with asynchronous instruction, meaning teachers will send out assignments, but students can complete them on their own time.

Estes says this was done keeping in mind the fact parents will likely have to help their children In this transition, but many parents still have to work - both at home outside of their homes.

"Students can log into Google Classroom with their parents' support first thing in the morning before parents left for work, even at noon when parents come home from lunch, or in the evening when the family is back together. That flexibility we thought was key during this situation. We have seen some models of students being asked to log on between the hours of 8 and 3, follow a rigid schedule. If you think about that in the environment we're in now that could have been very challenging for families to manage," Estes said.

Cifarelli says the asynchronous model of this instruction was what caught her attention.

"I thought that was great to be inclusive in that aspect. I'm fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom, even when they are in school, but I have a lot of friends throughout the nation that are working mothers. Before this I started talking to them. Just the stress I can hear through their voice, it upset me, and I felt really bad for them, and there's nothing I could do to help. Seeing that they're going to give options, make it work for your family, that's a huge deal," Cifarelli said.

Cifarelli also says this flexibility is welcomed by stay-at-home parents like herself.

"My biggest challenge is going to be - even though they're close in age - is balancing the two different ages. I have a pre-schooler who could sit still for five minutes, and I have my first grader here who is just in love with school," Cifarelli said.

Round Rock ISD is currently training teachers on how to use the online instruction tools.

Starting next week, they plan on handing out devices to students who need a computer, and they plan to provide mobile Wi-Fi hotspots by the week of April 6.

"We wanted to prioritize equitable solutions and not actively widen learning gaps, and we talked a lot about being flexible," Estes said.

Now that there is a clear path ahead, Cifarelli says she feels she is on the same page as her children's teachers.

"We're all just kind of in the same ballpark. We're all playing the same game, just kind of doing what works best for ourself," Cifarelli said.

The district will send out more information Friday night.