THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, April 3, 2020 Page 7 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 The kids were then told they could no longer do this. The teachers had to stop doing any kind of class and no work could be assigned. This is due to the states of emergency. I did watch the small video the superintendent fi lmed at SaugusTV (“Saugus Public Schools: COVID 19 Update March 13, 2020”). We were told plans were in place, but we have not yet heard anything concrete thus far. We have heard the beginning of April, which is this week; Something will be rolled out, so time will tell. I get this sense of frustration from the teachers. I think parents are questioning them and their hands are tied. They cannot yet assign work. I am not sure a concrete platform has been set up yet to assign anything. I keep hearing Google Classroom – again, nothing offi cial on that yet. We have not really heard from our principals throughout this. When we receive correspondence from the Waybright, it is through the front offi ce staff . I receive emails from Lynnhurst Elementary School, as my daughter went to kindergarten there last year. The principal sends out an encouraging email to the parents every day. The Lynnhurst PTO also reads stories on their Facebook page, which is nice. I will be suggesting that the Waybright does the same tomorrow via the group text I am on. Q: Are you satisfi ed that your children are getting the best education available to them, under the circumstances? If so, please explain the limitations. If not, please share your concerns. A: As far as if I am satisfi ed with the education during COVID-19? Honestly, I wish it was a little better. I am still seeing kids playing basketball and going into local convenience stores in groups. Having some regimented schooling time might help limit some of this. I mean, this was not meant to be spring break. Also having some structured school time would limit some of the online engaging kids may be doing that is not the most positive. Q: What are your expectations as a parent about the education they should be receiving in this coronavirus world? At minimum, what do you think the Saugus schools should be doing to make sure your children are provided the best education possible, under the circumstances? A: I wish the kids had maybe gotten some packets to do some written work. Even if they were mailed out or could be picked up, we would defi niteA: Twelve of us parents are on a group text. We use each other as a resource. I only know one parent in my fi rst grader’s class. We are in touch as well. Q: Are you a PTO [Parent Teacher Organization] member? A: I am not a PTO member, but I do volunteer as often as possible. I typically work at Field Day. I work at the Holly Fair each December and did a holiday craft with my fi rst-grader’s class this past December. We drop off and pick up every day. I am in daily contact with their teachers. Q: Are you satisfi ed with the briefi ng parents have received from the superintendent’s offi ce and their respective school about the current situation and the future outlook? If so, please explain. If not, please explain why you are not satisfi ed. A: We have been unoffi cially told something will be rolled out in early April. The parents and teachers seem to be on ENJOYING A SUNNY DAY: Left to right, Ava Quagenti, 6, and her sister Daniella, 8, took advantage of some outstanding weather on Tuesday to study on the porch. ly bite on that. Maybe weekly work packets could be picked up at the food distribution that happens three times per week. Maybe packets could be emailed. I do not have all the answers, but we are over two weeks since school has gotten out. For the time being, we will keep doing what we are doing. We have no choice, if we want their minds to stay active. My hope for these kids at the end of all of this is to have healthy, wellrounded kids who have not lost tons of skills. Q: With school out, on the average, how many hours of day would you say your children are engaged in schoolwork? A: We spend at least two to three hours a day on diff erent forms of academics. On March 14th, I went to Dollar Tree and purchased any age-appropriate learning material I could get my hands on. I bought workbooks and even pizza erasers we could do fraction work with. I bought fl ash cards. We research things, like what words does my first-grader need to know by second grade. We read every day. We also get outside as much as the weather allows. My eight-year-old learned how to ride her bike without training wheels. She has been cooking with us – which measuring ingredients is also a focus on fractions. As far as my high schooler goes – I mean what teenager is going to be motivated to do work that does not count for anything. She has also developed some newer talents during this as well, though. Our oldest two girls baked a cake from scratch that looked like a loaf of bread. They made a cheese-colored icing that looked just like grilled cheese. She made chicken wings last night and made up two different types of sauces. As you know she also “graffi tied” positive messages throughout the town. She also takes care of her younger sisters three times per week as my husband and I both work. She has been helping them with their “schoolwork” on these days. Q: Do you have any contact with other parents, and what are the main concerns they have expressed about their children’s education? the same page about their concerns/frustrations. Saugus communication is never outstanding. The teachers are trying, though, to keep a lifeline with their students. The superintendent briefi ng was not really detail-oriented. Nothing had offi cial specifi c details. Q: Did you view the superintendent’s special report on the Saugus Public Schools website? If so, did you fi nd it helpful? Why or why not? Have your schools begun any online education yet or announced they would begin online education? A: There was a briefi ng today (Monday, March 30) from the Superintendent. He mentions remote learning, which is what lots of parents are already doing. He mentions a broad spectrum; we are already doing Physical Ed, Health & Wellness, Art, Music, as well as academics, on our own. 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