Catholic School Students, Parents, and Teachers Adjust to Online Learning

In mid-March, Catholics schools across Florida followed the lead of their local public school districts in the decision to close campuses and move to online learning in order to protect their school communities and limit the spread of the coronavirus. On Tuesday, March 31, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran called for all school districts to extend campus closures through May 1.

Florida's Catholic Schools are using a variety of resources, including iPads and Chromebooks, and web-based platforms such as Zoom and Google Classrooms to connect with their students. Teachers are engaging their students through online instruction and livestream when necessary.

"Their lesson plans were fantastic and easy to follow," said Leah Lyons, a parent pleased with the online efforts of St. Clare School in North Palm Beach. "The kids felt they had independence with lots of support, and they all enjoyed seeing their teachers and friends on the Zoom meetings."


A first grade student at St. Clare in North Palm Beach prays a morning prayer with his teacher.
 
By providing students with opportunities to practice their faith through virtual connections, schools are able to maintain their Catholic identity. One example comes from Mother of Christ school in Miami. The school's religion teacher started a school-wide rosary every Sunday at 3:00 pm. During the first weekend, as many as 70 online participants offered a Holy Rosary to the school's patroness. They prayed for the end to the pandemic and for those who have been impacted by the coronavirus.