Schools Provide A Critical Safety Net For Kids. Can They Do That Via Zoom? …Youth advocates and school staff worry students are not getting the proper counseling or basic social services available in a regular school setting.
When a student shows up in class with a bruise or another possible sign of abuse, staff are required to investigate whether the student might be in harm’s way. That’s hard to do when communicating via computer.
The problems of distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic are well known by now – failing grades, poor internet access, lack of school sports. But students also have lost access to school social services that have traditionally provided a safety net — especially for those struggling at home.
Consistent school meals. Counseling. Programs to help youth stay out of trouble. Those services all make school more than just a place to learn but a physical environment that fosters positive behavior.
