Peoria Public Schools is working hard to keep students engaged during distance learning. During Tuesday's board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat gave an update on the district’s adjustments during the COVID-19 crisis since distance learning began after March 16. The district established a team to put devices into the hands of kids in families that don’t have any other way for their children to connect.
"The team, we've worked hard. You don't have a device, you want a device? And 5,000 devices. Five. Zero. Zero. Zero. Individually delivered. I mean, that's amazing," she said. Despite the technology outreach, Desmoulin-Kherat said that student engagement is suffering at some of the schools. The district’s high schools have around just 40 to 50 percent of their students active in distance learning. Other programs the school has started include food distribution for students and families through busses and school buildings, a program that’s served more than 105,000 meals. "They have been very, very impressive from day one," the superintendent said. "They continue to provide nine mobile vans where they're actually going into remote areas that we're not able to go to, so individuals do not have to walk quite a bit for meals."
The school is also looking into virtual graduation options to celebrate their seniors.
Desmoulin-Kherat said the district is approaching a problematic financial situation, but that it likely won’t become urgent until next school year.
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