A VIRTUAL-LEARNING FAMILY'S EXPERIENCE DURING A PANDEMIC

By Kellye May & Kristina Lundquist

Kristina: Hello!!! I have something to propose to you. I’m working on setting up personal interest stories for the NHM Blog. I’d love a short Q & A about a virtual school family, and you guys would be perfect!!

Kellye: Hey! That would be fine with me. I’ll talk it over with the kids. Thanks for the consideration.

Kristina: Of course!. Here we go...

Kristina: You’re one of the many NHM families who chose virtual learning during this pandemic. What are some of the reasons you chose virtual over in-person for your household?

Kellye: I have three children, ages 14, 13, and 7. Two have been medically diagnosed with type1 diabetes and the other has Diamond Blackfan Anemia, and I felt they would be better off staying at home. 

Kristina: It’s tough making these decisions when so much is at stake. You’re doing great. What’s been the biggest challenge with virtual learning this school year?

Kellye: The biggest challenge with virtual learning in my household is keeping the kids focused. With their daily life being spent mostly at home, they tend to lose focus.

Kristina: What have you sacrificed to make this happen for your family?

Kellye: There hasn’t been much sacrifice being that the children are all old enough to stay home and are all of the age to work and maneuver their laptops and workspace as needed.

Kristina: What have you liked the most about virtual school?

Kellye: What I like most about the option of virtual learning is that I know that my kids are home safe and are at lesser risk of catching COVID.

Kristina: What has your family gained from virtual schooling?

Kellye: As far as a family, we gained a piece of mind knowing that the kids are safe and have a lesser risk of catching COVID.

Kristina: Have you felt the NHM sense of community is different or the same? Will you explain? I’m wondering if it feels the same as when everyone’s in school, or if there’s a new sense of community among virtual learners now, or if it’s isolating, etc.?

Kellye:  As far as the NHM community, I feel that the community is a tad bit different (which is to be expected at a time like this). The community is doing its best to keep the families up to date on the in-person activities within the school with calendars, emails, phone calls and letters. I feel a difference because before COVID, I was very active with the school and the activities that went on but are now limited due to COVID.

Kristina: I miss seeing you guys in the classroom and at Garden Club! I can’t wait for it to get back to normal so all of us can get back up there to have fun and help out! Is there anything your awesome kids would like to add?

Kellye: Sure! A bit from the kids and how they feel about COVID affecting their schooling outside of missing their friends and the socialization skills that going to school allowed them to have…

Brianna age 14: Not going to school is hard because it’s hard to learn online, and it can get stressful and overwhelming at times, and the teachers take advantage of having some students at home. They kind of lack a bit, and they post more assignments then they would usually give if we were in person.

Angel age 13: Some classes I like it, but some classes I don’t because the teachers do not show up for their meetings, and we have to teach ourselves the stuff that we’re supposed to learn.

Dylan, age 7: It’s cool and fun because it feels like we have school in our house.

Kristina: I’m so glad they all commented about their experienced. I think Dylan has that great attitude because NHM is pretty awesome at pandemic-era schooling. You’re fantastic for doing this interview with me!

Kellye: Thanks!  And you are, too! Thanks for considering our family.