‘You have to have compassion:’ Returning to school presents unique challenges for everyone

The first day of school will be a lot different this year. While some families will continue virtual learning when classes begin Monday, more than half of Pinellas County’s 98,000 students will be returning to the classroom for the first time since Covid-19 forced schools to close in March.

Both options present challenges, but Dr. Valerie Brimm, director of the Pinellas County Schools Office of Strategic Partnerships and Family and Community Relations, said that students can still have a successful school year. More than ever before, though, communication between teachers and families will be key to navigating the year ahead, Brimm said. 

During a recent interview with the St. Pete Catalyst, Brimm shared her thoughts on the upcoming school year, the resources available to families and how everyone can work together to ensure students have a positive and enriching experience.

The Catalyst: Students haven’t been in the classroom in months. What do you expect the transition to be like for those going back in person?

Dr. Brimm: I think this is going to be a challenging transition for us because everything is so new and fluid. Things are going to keep changing and we’ll have to be able to respond to the next moving target.  

The Catalyst: What measures are in place to help with the process?

Dr. Brimm: We have teams of support staff, including school social workers and psychologists, ready to assist during the transition. We’ve also been doing webinars through our Parent-Guardian Connection program over the summer – and we’re doing them now – so parents can be more prepared. We want them to have as many strategies as possible in place to help them adjust as we go back to school. Another piece we’ve developed to support these transitions are Parent Buddies, many of whom are retired teachers. They’ll be available to help support families with the academic component of returning to school, and to be a bridge and a liaison, so the transition can be less stressful. We also have the Parent Academy Power Hour, which is another series of webinars aimed at helping parents during this time. The topics are driven by our parents and what they want to see and hear, and we bring in experts to lead the sessions. One of our upcoming sessions will be about the role fathers play in education. How do we keep the male-to-male connection to motivate learning?

The Catalyst: What do you think is the key to making this year a success?

Dr. Brimm: Engaging parents and keeping them in the know will be the most important piece. Parents will need to be even more involved and make a stronger effort to connect with their child’s teachers. The soft skills will really need to be in place even more so than the academic piece.

The Catalyst: What about families who will be doing online learning, especially those who may be trying to balance their own work while overseeing their children?

Dr. Brimm: Parents need to make sure they’re communicating with the teachers and that their students are completing their assignments. And that’s not just asking the child if they did the work – have the child show you what they did so they know there is a system of checks and balances in place. To help support learning, we encourage parents to create a space for their children that is free of distractions, and we recommend that parents build in breaks into their child’s day. Have them go outside, get some movement in and then come back to work.

The Catalyst: What about the emotional aspect of returning to school?

Dr. Brimm: We’re getting ready to have a webinar that talks about checking in with your child. Parents need to constantly be having conversations with their children about how they’re feeling, and if things are getting to a place where parents need more help, they can reach out to us for additional support. 

Related content: School looks different this year. Here’s how to help your kids cope. 

The Catalyst: We’ve talked a lot about parents. What resources are in place for students to engage?

Dr. Brimm: We’ve created a program that connects students with professionals to give them a chance to talk about career goals and objectives to keep them moving forward. About a year ago, we also created a virtual mentoring platform, and we’ve developed scripts for our mentors so they know what to do, including scripts for those working with students of color or Hispanic students so these sessions can be more intentional. We’re always looking for minority mentors to make sure our students of color are being mentored, along with any other students who might be struggling.

The Catalyst: What advice do you have for everyone returning to school?

Dr. Brimm: You have to have a level of compassion for where people are coming from and figure out how to provide an atmosphere where kids feel safe while still being able to enjoy learning. 

The Catalyst: Are there any positives that can come out of what we’ve experienced over the last six months?

Dr. Brimm: One of the silver linings is that parents now have a new appreciation for their child’s teachers. This has birthed a whole new respect for the educational arena and teachers, and this is a great opportunity for our educators to build their relationship with parents. We’re all committed to doing whatever we can in the best interest of our children. 

For more information on going back to school, click here.