Back to School in a Virtual Learning Environment

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Keeble Primary student, Izabella Silva, working on schoolwork during the first day of virtual learning.

Izabella Silva, Keeble Primary School Kindergartner, has been counting down the days to the first day of school, and it’s finally here. 

It is not a normal first day of school for Izabella, but it is the new normal for more than  67,000 Aldine ISD students. Due to COVID-19 and the increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases, the district will start the school year completely virtual. 

“In a time of so much uncertainty, our students are counting on each one of us to be their rock,” Superintendent Dr. LaTonya Goffney said. “We will teach whether we are back together in the classroom or providing our students with lessons online. Our commitment to students and their future remains consistent.” 

As the summer came to an end, Silva’s parents, Tony and Zulma Silva, worked to ensure Izabella was prepared for her first day of virtual school. Both parents are employees of Aldine ISD. Tony works in the Aldine ISD payroll department and Zulma works at Marcella Elementary School. 

To prepare for the first day of school, the Silva’s created a dedicated learning space to help Izabella complete her school work. The Silva’s transformed their family dining room into a classroom just in time for the first day of virtual learning. They knew that she would need an area at home to utilize as her new learning environment. They also understood that she needed to understand the difference between the playroom and the classroom in their home. 

“Play is still important for Izabella, but it was important for the spaces to be separate so she could focus when it was school work time,” Siva said. 

Izabella, like many students, has missed the camaraderie of spending time with her friends at school and most importantly recess. 

Keeble Primary student, Izabella Silva, learns in her new at-home learning space.

“I am excited to meet my new teacher, Ms. Simmons, and make new friends,” she said.

The spring semester was a trial run for virtual learning at the Silva house. Izabella liked the ability to complete her schoolwork at home but she has missed the face-to-face interaction with her teacher. However, both parents learned a lot while helping Izabella navigate her schoolwork from home. They learned how to best help her with her classwork and brushed up on a few school basics. 

The Silva’s attributes Izabella’s preparation for the new school year to the Keeble Primary staff and leadership team. The family felt supported and prepared to ensure Izabella had what she needed to be successful during the abrupt transition to learning in the spring. 

The bright eyed Kindergartner is excited for the new school year. She is looking forward to waving at all of her Keeble classmates and getting to know her new teacher via Zoom this year. 

Izabella reiterated that she is very excited to see all her Keeble friends, before reciting the Keeble Primary anthem. 

If you are looking for tips to increase your child’s productivity and engagement during virtual learning, visit our at-home learning tips webpage.