The Cumberland County school system handed out computers and other equipment Tuesday so students can work from home.
At Cliffdale Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon, reunions were taking place.
But they were reunions behind glass and masks.
Parents stopped by the school to pick up laptop computers and other school supplies for children who have not been able to go to class for weeks because of the coronavirus.
The school on Cliffdale Road and others in the county took part in a drive-thru distribution of school materials. Schools are closed until at least May 15 as health officials work to control the virus.
“I miss you! I want to jump in there and give you a hug!” said Cliffdale principal Suzanne Owen, wearing protective gloves and a mask as she directed the parents and helped distribute the supplies. “Tell everybody I said hey! I love y’all!”
Tuesday afternoon, staff at county elementary and middle schools handed out paper work packets to parents of children in grades pre-kindergarten through second and laptop computers to parents of third- through eighth-graders.
It was part of an effort to keep the students engaged in learning even through the uncertainty of not knowing exactly when they might be able to gather in a classroom again.
“That’s really the focus right now, getting the learning materials out to the students at the various levels,” said Lindsey Whitley, associate superintendent for communications and community engagement for Cumberland County schools. “It’s a new normal for everyone, but I know teachers and administrators are working extremely hard to continue to provide quality learning experiences for students.”
Parents who expressed a need for technology in a school survey were eligible to receive the laptops. Equipment must be returned once schools reopen.
The Cumberland Community Foundation has been helping to provide the equipment through its Fund for Student Emergency Needs. For more information or to donate to the fund, go to cumberlandcf.org/covid-19-update/.
The school system will continue the technology and paperwork distribution today from 3 to 6 p.m. For more information, call the Cumberland@Home Technology Hotline at 910-678-2618 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, or complete the device survey at cumberlandathome.ccs.k12.nc.us.
Whitley said the school system is continuing its services to students in other ways as well. He said on Monday alone, schools distributed 30,344 breakfast and lunch meals to students.
“There’s a huge need in terms of food,” Whitley said. “We’re thankful to be able to continue that service.”
Tuesday at Cliffdale Elementary, cars were lined up 15 minutes before the scheduled 1 p.m. starting time for the distribution.
School workers wearing protective masks directed the parents to the distribution site. Parents — many of whom brought their children with them — didn’t have to get out of their cars to receive the items.
Shortly after the distribution began, assistant principal Hannah Gray said things were going smoothly.
“We worked very hard the last few days to make it super organized for our parents,” Gray said.
For most of the teachers, parents and students, it was the first time they’d seen each other since Gov. Roy Cooper ordered schools closed March 14.
Gray said teachers, parents and students are on Google Meet and Google Classroom every day to keep in touch, share information and continue learning.
“We see them online every day, but it’s different in person,” Gray said. “We’re happy to be here to serve our kids because we miss them.”
Staff writer Rodger Mullen can be reached at [email protected] or 910-486-3561.
