Staying connected with students while campus is closed

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Wednesday afternoon California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed California schools will likely not reopen for the rest of the school year. Shortly after that announcement, Peabody Charter School Principal and Superintendent Demian Barnett communicated the message to parents in an email, saying distance learning will continue for the rest of the school year while campus is closed. It is all in an effort to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

"The Governor's announcement today really just confirms that while school campuses will be closed the school year will continue, and learning will continue," Barnett told NewsChannel 3 Wednesday afternoon.

Parents were already coming to the Santa Barbara elementary school to pick up a week's worth of lessons Wednesday when news came that students won't be coming back until the next school year.

"It's disappointing," said Jono Shaffer, a parent of three school children. "We love school and what it gives our kids."

Students will still have assignments and can connect with their teachers, but it will be over the computer. What schools are calling distance learning.

"It's a new type of learning and it's a fast transition for schools," Barnett said. "The teachers have done an amazing job using the tools that they have available to them."

Like many other schools, Peabody has been getting internet connected devices to students who need them, and they're working with internet providers to deliver WiFi to homes that don't have it so students can get their work done remotely. It's a big change for everyone that presents both challenges and opportunities.

"We get this special moment we feel like where we get to be a little closer right now and we get more time together," Shaffer said.

"The message for parents is just to do the very best that you can," Barnett said. "Every situation is really different. We're here to support children and families and we're going to continue to do so."