CENTRAL POINT, Ore. -- Schools in Klamath County and Brookings-Harbor school districts were scheduled to return to class today following the Thanksgiving holiday.
Both districts are now returning to distance learning because COVID-19 cases are increasing in both areas.
Superintendent for Klamath County School District, Glen Szymoniak said the transition is most difficult for K-3 students and teachers since they have the least experience working remotely.
"There's always some individual problems that pop up with maybe not being able to get enough bandwidth for a particular streaming lesson or just regular devices failing...". He said another order of devices to assist K-3 grade levels is on the way.
In comparison, Superintendent for the Brookings-Harbor School District, David Marshall said connectivity is not the issue for the schools he oversees. He said most challenges come from students being socially distant.
"[With] academics the students tend to do reasonably well, especially when we're getting them connected and they're showing up for class, things are going okay," Marshall said. "I think it's the social and emotional challenges . . . that's been the big priority this fall is just keeping the kids remotely engaged."
Marshall said Brookings-Harbor School District transitioned to remote learning this week because too many staff members needed to quarantine and were unable to continue teaching in person.
Both school districts hope to return to in person learning soon but say the coronavirus cases are only increasing in their counties at this time.
