The Deeper Dig is a biweekly podcast from the VTDigger newsroom, hosted and produced by Sam Gale Rosen. Listen below, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
On Tuesday, students across the state returned to classrooms for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus in March. Now, they’re waiting to see what happens next.
Kids, parents, educators and administrators have adapted to a variety of schedules, with a majority of districts splitting students’ time between in-person and remote classes. “I’m already kind of getting used to the quote-unquote ‘new normal,’” said Barbara Pennington, a sixth grade math and English teacher at West Rutland School.
But the systems established for the first week of classes remain subject to change. State officials have urged districts to continue ramping up in-person learning where it’s possible, while the threat of a future surge of Covid-19 cases leaves open the possibility that schools could shut their doors again.
“I just take it day by day and try to prepare myself for anything,” Pennington said. “Who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow?”
On this week’s podcast, Pennington describes the first week of her school year as both a teacher and a parent. Plus, VTDigger education reporter Lola Duffort explains how the child care shortage accelerated by hybrid school schedules remains unresolved.
