Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the East Baton Rouge School System.
Virtual to Hybrid Learning: 5 Tips for a Successful Transition
As of September 14th, the East Baton Rouge School System adopted a hybrid-learning 
model for PreK-5th grade students, and with the announcement of Phase III reopening, we are pursuing excellence as we gradually transition back to in-person classes. Creating an effective learning environment in your home and accessing district and community resources will be important for your student’s continued success both at home and in the classroom, especially if your child continues in the all-virtual model.
To ease children into the hybrid-learning experience, set up rules and expectations for active listening and participation at home, and familiarize yourself with the learning platform (Google Classroom/Google Meet/Microsoft Team) before getting started. You should also establish a routine at home that mimics the school day—complete with scheduled screen time and regular breaks—and create a calendar of assignments and due dates to keep your child on track and organized. Successful virtual learning is driven by your child’s surroundings, which should be free of distractions and contain all the necessary materials needed for instruction.
Whether your child is at home or in the classroom, you can follow these five tips from EBRPSS to make the 2020-2021 school year the best yet:
- Stay Connected With Teachers
Educators are pushed to be more creative and work harder than ever before to prepare
in-person and online instruction materials. Subscribe to your preferred method of parent
communication (Class Dojo, Remind, Bloom, etc.) to ensure you and your child are up to date on the latest information. - Prepare for the Week
Review lesson plans with your child at the beginning of each week to help them
understand and achieve their goals at home and in the classroom. Creating weekly or
daily agendas will help your learner stay organized and follow their routine. - Follow Current Health and Safety Guidelines
Communicate with your child the importance of wearing a mask properly to protect peers, teachers and loved ones while at school. At home, practice proper mask-wearing, hand washing protocols, and coughing or sneezing etiquette to reiterate the importance of these health guidelines. - Take Advantage of Tech Resources
The district aims to equip each student with the tools they need to thrive. The EBRPSS
TechReady program is an online resource for families to request mobile hotspots and
school-issued devices like Chromebooks to ensure each student is properly connected for virtual learning. Families can also take advantage of community resources like the
Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council’s Computers for Louisiana’s Families program
for low-cost refurbished computers. If you need assistance with learning more about a
tool your child is using, we recommend that you use the Technology Integration
Department’s Tools for support. - Stay Powered On
It’s important to have reliable power near your learning area to keep your child’s
computer fully charged while working. Make it a part of your child’s nightly routine to
charge their electronic devices before going to bed, If you find yourself lacking internet
connection, students can find an EBR Community Hot Spot to get connected throughout
the day. Students and families can also submit a help desk ticket for issues with any
district-issued device.
As we navigate the transition into hybrid-learning together, EBRPSS’ top priority is supporting students’ learning needs. Whether your child is struggling with the transition or they have special education needs, the district provides easy and transparent access to resources and information, as well as emotional support services for students and families through the ICARE program to effectively help students succeed every day.
