Text by GOPALA VARADARAJAN and CARLOTA BLANCO
Photo by EMILY YAO
“ to be honest, PAUSD HIGH SCHOOLERS REFLECT ON NEW REMOTE LEARNING PROGRAM
J
ANE LOU, A HIGH SCHOOL senior in Palo Alto, was afraid she would bring the coronavirus home. So when the Palo Alto Unified School District announced the implementation of a remote learning plan for the 2021-2022 school year, Lou quickly enrolled. Despite her dissatisfaction with the program, the 17-year old is enjoying a new online community in which she feels she belongs. Lou, originally a Henry M. Gunn High School student, is one of 137 PAUSD students enrolled in the remote learning program. According to PAUSD Student
Support Coordinator Ana Reyes, the number of online students is heavily skewed towards elementary schoolers, with only 16 PAUSD high school students — six freshmen, three juniors and seven seniors — opting to remain online. When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 130 into law July 9, California school districts were ordered to provide a remote learning option for the upcoming school year. In partnering with Stride — a for-profit company that has sold an online learning program and curriculum to U.S. state and local governments for over 20
LEAVING REMOTE LEARNING BEHIND — After switching from the remote learning program to in-person this academic year, Emily Liu reflects on her experience. “I think just overall, the Palo Alto school district structure and the programs are much more beneficial for me,” Liu said. “Being in person ... is pretty different from being online and sitting in your room.”
24 OCTOBER 2021
