ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester City School District will continue virtual learning for the start of school in January, but students with disabilities in specialized programs will have the option to return to school.

What You Need To Know

  • In-person learning will resume on January 4 for students with disabilities in specialized programs

  • Parents with students in specialized programs will have a say in remote learning or in-person learning

  • Virtual Learning is a struggle for teachers, parents, and students

“I think it’s the best decision the district could make in these tough and challenging circumstances that we’re facing, you know we have to keep our kids safe, that is our number one concern, that’s the number one concern of the district as well,” said Rakia Hardaway, a social studies teacher at Edison Career and Technology High School.

Starting on January 4, students with disabilities in specialized programs will be able to return to school for 4-days a week with face-to-face learning. All other students will continue with virtual learning. 

One parent says they had mixed feelings about the decision.

“I’m kind of 50/50, I’m appreciating the fact that because of the whole pandemic, you want to be as safe as you can be, but at the same time I do see a little bit of a struggle for my son,” said Roshanda Johnson, an RCSD parent.

Johnson believes that struggle is because of the lack of face-to-face interactions. She tells Spectrum News she’s playing the role of mom, teacher, counselor, and lunch monitor, and works hard trying to keep her son on a schedule

“It’s on a computer, but it’s still learning and it’s still a form of a classroom for that matter, so it’s been a bit hard, but it’s worth it you know, he can’t fail, that’s not an option, so I have to do what I have to do,” Johnson added.

The struggle is not just for students and parents, but also for teachers.

“I think all of us are trying to do the best we can, we are all on a learning curve and I know I’ve been telling my students and everyone else around me, all of the other teachers are just telling students we’re trying to do the best we can,” said Hardaway.

Johnson is hopeful there can be more parent engagement meetings with teachers, and the option of some schools letting students come back for at least a day to feel a bit of normalcy.

“It’s tough for all of us, but never the less it has its purpose, and like I said failure has never been an option, and it can’t become one now,” said Johnson.                                                             

The Rochester City School District will contact families with students in the specialized programs to discuss their school model preference by November 6.