Nontraditional Instruction for Parents 101

Who could have ever imagined that we would be in the midst of a pandemic? That schools would close for weeks on end? I am sure you are reeling from this turn of events just as we are BUT we can make the best of this situation. Together we will share ideas, share successes, maybe even some failures, get up in the morning and do it again! Our kids are worth it. They deserve it and you can do it!

A few things to remember as you begin this journey of homeschooling (at least for the time being). First and foremost, this is not going to be like "real school". Don't beat yourself up! There will be more breaks and there will be some downtime throughout the day. Setting a schedule to some degree is important HOWEVER, your schedule may not look like the schedule that your friend down the street uses. Your family is unique. This is the same at school. Every classroom has different needs and looks different. Teacher personality and preference for how the day unfolds do not look the same from classroom to classroom. Don't compare yourself and your management style to someone else. You know your kids, you know (more than anyone else) what works best for your family. Set up your home and your schedule for what works for your kids. Your school day might not even happen during the time constraints of a typical school day and that is perfectly fine! Begin simply by deciding where the work will take place and set a goal for what time each day you want the work completed. Start out slowly and understand at first your child may need a little more coaching and guidance. This is new to them as well. Once you get a system (even if it is more laid back than school...and it probably will be!) you will see that your child will rise to the challenge.

Find a network so you can share tips and ideas! Reaching out to a friend for support if you are finding yourself stuck or frustrated is so helpful. Even if it's only to vent and then get back to the work. Knowing that someone else is in the same boat, experiencing similar struggles can really help to ease the tension of this temporary normal. You can do this! Your kids will knock this out of the park!

Use the resources that are being provided to you to make this transition a little smoother. Reach out to your child's teacher. Find out how to get in touch and ASK QUESTIONS. Our teachers want to help you navigate through this time. This is new for everyone but what our teachers want most is the health, wellness, and success of our kids! No question is too big or too small. I promise, our teachers want to hear from you. Use district provided resources as well. There is a wealth of information being provided by JCPS. Tap into it and make it work for your family. Stay connected with other families that attend Kennedy and reach out for support. Social media through Kennedy's Facebook page and Twitter is a great way to keep informed about what is going on with NTI and any changes that are being made as we learn and navigate distance learning.

You are your child's number one fan and advocate! You got this! We are behind you. Take this one day at a time. Know that with each passing day this will get easier. You will find better, more efficient ways to make this work for your family. We know you won't be perfect. We aren't perfect! We will mess up, we will dust off, get back up and try again. Be patient with us just as we will be patient with you. We will make this work, together!