By Rylie Friesen-–
Public schools in Citrus Heights are now extending closures until May 1st and are loaning laptops to students to continue online classes.
Although initially targeting a reopen date of April 13, just after Spring Break, the San Juan Unified School District announced a decision Friday to extend campus closures through May 1 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 through the community.
With this decision, local schools have opted to transition to “distance learning” to continue students’ education. Distance learning, also known as e-learning or online education, is a form of education where technology is used to facilitate student-teacher interaction, rather than a public school.
“Families can expect more information in the days and weeks ahead on the methods and supports that are being developed and implemented to support distance learning,” the district said in a release on their website. “We are working to ensure that our teachers, staff members, students and parents are each able to engage in this new delivery model.”
The district has also made Chromebooks available to students who do not have a personal laptop available, enabling all students to receive assignments and instruction from teachers.
As of March 29, nearly all 50 states have made the decision to shut down all public schools to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. Some have opted to close through the end of the school year.
