STRUGGLING THROUGH VIRTUAL LEARNING

 Last week I launched my blog - Newark Neighborhood View - and I want to thank you all for providing your thoughts and ideas after my first post. 

Hearing from so many of you and receiving so many responses was not something I was expecting when I launched this blog. In some cases, I heard from Newarkers who I had not talked to in months because of COVID, and some friends outreached who I had not seen in even years. 

Thank you for reading, and thank you for reaching out. Your encouragement meant a great deal to me this last week, and I hope to use this platform wisely.

Being a Father, entrepreneur and activist takes up many of my hours during the day, but I hope to contribute to this ongoing dialog at least once a week. 

For this week, I want to talk about one of the many reasons I started this blog, and one of the many reasons I can't sleep at night. I want to share what it has been like to be back to school in Newark. Because right now, I am feeling so frustrated and angry.

As a Father, this new world has been a struggle, and I know that I am not the only one struggling either. Many parents are struggling right now - specifically Newark's single parents and our grandmothers who are raising children again or watching over them during school hours.

I don't feel that the powers that be have forgotten us, at least not yet, but I do feel people in high positions are ignoring the problem, trying to change the conversation, and are not listening to the voices of our neighborhoods.

Newark Superintendent Leon made a huge mistake during the opening weeks of school that really upset me.

Instead of addressing immediate issues, Leon chose to launch some kind of PR stunt, announcing a "historic" 10-year strategic plan. As well as using the summer months to start frivolous lawsuits against private developers who purchased old school buildings through a bidding process. Distractions from the real issues at hand. This summer we could have better prepared for the issues we see today. Other districts are excelling with hybrid models and we can not get virtual learning together after the test run  we all were forced to endure earlier this year.

Take a look right here - https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/press-releases/historic-10-year-strategic-plan-to-build-a-new-educational-ecosystem-in-newark/

A 10-year plan? Why do we need a 10 year Plan when most people are uncertain about tomorrow, or the day after.

So our schools are not open. Our kids lack the technology to learn. Newark parents are confused and frustrated. And Leon is talking about a ten-year plan? Really?

Let's be real - instead of addressing our immediate needs, Leon tried to change the subject. 

I mean, let's face it. Our worlds are collapsing right now. 

We have not heard from Leon or any other elected official that represents the children of Newark at all, and finally, he shows up with a ten-year plan? Sir, right now, I am just worried where my kids will be in 10 days. I don't get it.

Right now, we have single parents in Newark having to work. Our kids are in their homes alone, with no one to stay with them. In many cases, we do not have wifi or can't even get wifi if we could afford it. And even if we have wifi and the needed technology to learn, so many parents, especially our elderly, need help to educate their at-home children during these times. Instead of addressing these issues, STOP, dreaming about ten years from now. How about a plan to help our families now?

With this push to get students in front of the camera, we can get a glimpse of what life is like right now. 

We are seeing that people need help, and every household is not set up the same to be apart of the virtual learning experience. 

This is what keeps me up at night. This is why I started this blog. 

So many Newarkers cant access wifi.

So many Newarkers are dependent on free and reduced lunch and others that are not dependent are still in need of better options for providing food to their families. 

Parents are asking themselves, what should I spend my money on wifi or making sure my child has something to eat?

Everyone, this is real. 

While our Superintendent is thinking about how to plan for the next 10 years of his leadership , he seems to be missing the issues that we are facing right now.

The truth is that we need to know better. 

We must all come together and help each other during these times. As many of us saw first hand, when we all went to these same Newark schools, decades ago, while somethings have changed some things are business as usual.

To create change, it is going to have to come from all of us. 

If you have space for a child that you know needs help during these times, then it is our duty to open our doors to ensure an entire generation of children doesn’t fall grade levels behind during a world pandemic.

We all need to step up.