Beaufort Schools Embrace eLearning Amid Hurricane Recovery
In the beautiful city of Beaufort, preparations are underway for another eLearning day on Monday, September 30, as schools continue to navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The decision came from the Beaufort County School District, which announced that students won’t be attending school in person due to the ongoing impact of the storm on families and staff members.
Why eLearning?
The driving force behind this eLearning decision is to provide continuity for students while also respecting the challenges many families are facing. According to a recent release, the district is hopeful that many students will be able to engage in lessons from home over the internet. Of course, the smooth execution of this plan relies on essential services like electricity and internet access being up and running. If families continue to experience disruptions, students will have the opportunity to complete their assignments within five days and the schools will work closely with families to accommodate individual needs.
“Please know that schools will be flexible with families who are still without electricity or internet service,” stated the release, highlighting the district’s commitment to supporting all students in these challenging times.
Returning to Normal
Students are tentatively set to return to their classrooms on Tuesday, October 1, provided conditions allow. However, the district encourages communication with schools regarding any additional eLearning needs or concerns that may arise. They want to ensure that every student gets the learning they need, even if it means bending the usual rules a bit.
Bridges Preparatory School Joins the eLearning Bandwagon
Bridges Preparatory School has also joined in on the eLearning approach, stating they’ll operate remotely on Monday as well. Originally planning for a regular school day, they reversed their decision after receiving valuable feedback from both faculty and community members, many of whom still find themselves without necessary resources like power and internet.
Gary McCulloch, the Chief Executive Officer of the school, added that they’ll review the situation by 3 p.m. on Monday to decide whether students will be going back to campus the following day. In addition to the switch to remote learning, all athletic events and after-school activities have been canceled, allowing families some extra time to focus on taking care of one another and their properties.
What’s Next?
As the community comes together to recover from the storm, the support and understanding demonstrated by the schools is heartening. Families are reminded that communication is key—staying in touch with schools is beneficial to ensure everyone is aligned on any upcoming eLearning assignments or changes. The district’s goal is clear: to create a supportive environment for education, even during unpredictable times.
So there you have it, Beaufort! In the spirit of resilience, we’ll see students engaging in virtual classrooms once more, while keeping an eye towards the future when they can reunite in their beloved school buildings. Here’s hoping for a swift recovery for everyone affected by the storm!
