Its ugly. REALLY ugly. The CV19 crisis has cost us all, but we have to get real about some of the victims we’re not thinking about. The kids. We’ve looked at just one example, happening in just one area school district.
In March, Deweyville ISD launched phase one of its effort to educate the children, while keeping them as safe as possible.
It involved several measures that were replicated in dozens of area schools. Flexible education plans.
NOW – some Deweyville parents are outraged over phase 2. Does this sound familiar with what your kids go through?
In Deweyville the district decided to launch something called Drive-in Wifi learning. Its just underway. Teachers have told our sources that the kids will get a zero on any assignment not accomplished EVEN if the kids don’t have adequate internet access or a computer for the work.
In Drive-in learning, the students of Deweyville are asked to come to the parking lot of the high school to use the school Wifi. Now OF COURSE the high schoolers are going to sneak out of the car and talk with their friends. And OF COURSE many parents find it difficult to impossible. This is a community that saw computers washed away in the January 2019 flooding for crying out loud. Parents are panicking that their kids are going to get a zero.
One mother of 3 children younger than 10 says she’s in wonderment at how she can keep her kids focused in the back seat of the car.
“Cars were not built to be used as a classroom,” she told 1813News.
Another family told us its a serious hardship and that the district, “assumes all homes have internet access. That is a luxury we cannot afford in this house.”
The father said, “to be honest I’m not even sure we could get internet service out here even if we had the money.”
Its going to require running the engine of the vehicles because conditions are warming. Air conditioning is going to be needed.
Several people wonder if its even ethical and ask how the policy follows the Stay Home Work Safe guidelines of Newton County.
To be fair, each of the parents indicate they are very pleased that the district is doing something to keep the education process flowing. But say its just NOT going to work like this.
Beaumont ISD and most districts have their own version of the Flexible Education Program. Making it work? Its a nightmare for administrators. And no one is blaming the TEACHERS, but when it doesn’t work we have to ask ourselves maybe it just doesn’t work. Parents say its time to consider a NEW plan.
What happened to due diligence reporting? You could have easily verified this rumor by reaching out to DISD folks. Keith Jones (superintendent) has his own Facebook page.
You’ve stirred an already agitated anthill, for sure. Expect blowback…
The superintendents office was not available for comment at the district. The number provided was routed through a Jennifer Parkhurst. Ms. Parkhurst had a full voicemail. 1813 always tries to get comment from the other side. Thank you for your comments.
During this global pandemic we have all had our daily normal routines turned upside down. I feel the administration and staff of Deweyville ISD have done an amazing job during this trying time. We have to remember there are no guidelines for the schools to go to for help. Offering free wi-fi in the school parking lot might not be ideal but at least they are providing it for those in need. I would also like to see some fact checking regarding the teachers giving zeros because of no internet. That does not sound like any of the teachers I know.
Have the parents addressed their concern to the school? I bet not because the Administration and faculty would have provided a solution for their child. Kevin Steele get your facts straight before stirring the pot.
There are several parents upset about the issue, and they indicated no solution. Thanks for your comments.
I don’t know how we’re going to be able to do this “drive-thru” wifi. Some of us have full time jobs and these people expect us to get off work late afternoon, go home and cook for the family and then go up to the school parking lot to spend hours in a vehicle doing schoolwork? Come on now, be realistic! If anything, they should go by the students grade averages and if your passing, then great you passed and the ones that are failing, then they should give work for those students to bring up their grades. These teachers are giving out more school work each day than they would be giving in class at school. This is ridiculous!
Thanks so much for reading and for your comments!
I am a Deweyville resident. I’m an outraged parent as well! How can they do this?!?!? I’m glad someone in the public is putting light on this issue! It isn’t right! Thank you, for speaking up for us! There is a MAJOR PROBLEM and it needs to be addressed!
What are your sources for this “article”? Doesn’t seem like you attempted to reach out to the school district about this issue. This is a difficult situation for everyone and you aren’t contributing to a positive solution by stirring the pot.
Its certainly a difficult situation and the district is trying. 1813 reached out to the district. Not only was the supt. unavailable for comment, but the routed number for contact with the supt. office went to a Jennifer Parkhurst who did not reply and has a full voicemail unable to take messages.
Thanks for your comments.
Thanks so much for reading and for your comments!
My daughter is a 5th grade student at DES. I THINK Deweyville is doing an outstanding job. The teachers have done a fabulous job of reaching out to their students and keeping in touch. I understand some may have concerns over the WiFi thing but is it really worth bashing a co oleré school district for? Absolutely NOT!!! I’m sure if you do not have WiFi or the needed things to teach your student at home then DES or any campus at Deweyville would go out of their way to accommodate for you! Time to grow up a little! 🙂
At least for some parents with at least one teacher and possibly more, that accommodation has not been the case. But your points are well taken. And no bashing. It seems clear that most educators are doing well. And as noted in the piece, the district is clearly TRYING for the kids. Thanks for your comments.
I have a typo in my above comment!
It should read complete school district! Sorry lol
Your article is woefully inadequate addressing the issue. One thing in particular is you mentioned parent complaining about having to sit in a car for hours doing their work. This either a fabrication or seriously erroneous reporting. All students have to do is be at the school parking lot long enough to download and/or upload their work assignments. This was made abundantly clear.
Yes, computers, pc’s or laptops would be best but the majority of these kids have smartphones and the work can be done on them. Perhaps maybe Mom or Dad should let them use theirs and sacrifice a little social media time.
Inconvenient? Yes. Requiring travel? In some cases. Insurmountable obstacle? Heavens No, except for those with serious entitlement issues.
These are trying and difficult times and the area school districts are facing issues even hurricanes did not cast upon them. The Deweyville I.S.D. School board, Superintendent, Principals, Teachers and even Maintenance, Custodial and Cafeteria employees have done an OUTSTANDING job to facilitate the student’s learning.
You Sir, owe the Deweyville I.S.D. an apology as do the mouthy parents who’ve done nothing to alleviate the crisis we’re in.
You’re right. Its inconvenient, especially for the poorer families. Some have 3 kids and one cell phone. Some have no computers. We never fabricate.
This is one of the most disgusting articles I’ve ever read. How one sided can a journalist be and it still be called “news”? Did they even think to reach out to more parents? So, what, you take 2 families negative word about what’s happening and decide that must be the consensus of the entire community? I’ve had texts, emails, phone calls from every one of my children’s teachers asking how they are doing, do they need anything, please let them know they are missed, and to call, text, or email if we have even the simplest question and they have all stressed to me that I make sure my children aren’t stressed out or upset about their school work! The teachers have been amazing!
Cutting-Edge journalism Kevin Steele…you’re definitely on the fast track to a groundbreaking CNN bombshell. Obviously Dewyville ISD doesn’t enjoy the budget that many surrounding districts do. Many residents do not have access to wi-fi due to their location, not financial hardships…however, some simply cannot afford it. We were personally contacted by DISD to ensure that our family had access to internet/wi-fi. I understand that a journalism empire such as 1813 News must have such hard deadlines to publish, that you aren’t afforded the opportunity to wait for an official from the district to respond. It’s great journalism to publish a complaint from one, possibly two angered parties because they’ve misunderstood the expectations in an attempt to accommodate everyone. I’m proud of the district, the teachers, students, parents and the entire community. I must say, I’m disappointed in the absence of quality in the caliber of “journalism” from you and 1813 News. I expect that once you are able to follow up with an administrator, you will make this right.
My name is Kristy Brown and I am a teacher at Deweyville ISD. For those that are having problems, please email your children’s teachers or if you are on the secondary campus, please contact our administration, teachers, or me. We are trying very hard to figure out what to do. We want every child to learn and if you are having difficulty, please contact us so that we can help. Things are not ideal, but we can figure something out. If you really want solutions, let’s work together. My email is [email protected]. We are here to help you and your kids during this crazy time.
Kristy, thank you for your service to the kids. Yes, let’s find a solution. A friend may have some ideas that may or may not be useful to your tech department. Thank you for reaching out!
If you truly cared about this issue, you’d help raise money or donate money yourself (haha yeah right) to buy these families internet hot spots, instead of making a story for views. You obviously are not very good at your job to not know the superintendent of the school district you are writing about, nor even attempted to contact HIM directly. You and the rest of your media colleagues, in all sectors, only care about being the 1st to publish a story, whether it’s true or even slightly verified. People like you only cause problems, therefore, I’d advise you to kill yourself. If you’d like the help the cause, then please, slit your throat.
1813 attempted to contact the district (both before and after the article) without success. You’re dead wrong but its a free country and your comments give us great perspective.
I’d just like to know why your commenting time stamp is off so badly?
Our comments are moderated to ensure that spammers cannot post links to places like pron sites or such sales. That means that there is usually a delay between the time you post and it is approved.
Well, since you asked…
“but we have to get real about some of the victims we’re not thinking about. The kids.”
Teachers have devoted insane hours to completely restructuring education, districts are spending tens of thousands of dollars to get tech to kids. The whole educational system is working doubletime right now to find the best way to serve the kids. Your claim that they are not thinking about the kids is an insult to everyone in education and it is blatantly FALSE.
“In Deweyville the district decided to launch something called Drive-in Wifi learning.”
This is one small part of a huge, multi-faceted undertaking aimed at getting the necessary tech to as many kids as possible as quickly as possible.
“Teachers have told our sources that the kids will get a zero on any assignment not accomplished EVEN if the kids don’t have adequate internet access or a computer for the work.”
No. Teachers are telling kids they must try to do the work they can do. If they have the ability and just refuse, they should not receive credit for doing work they do not do. Aside from blatant refusal, the teachers are being extremely flexible and going to great lengths for the kids.
In Drive-in learning, the students of Deweyville are asked to come to the parking lot of the high school to use the school Wifi.
No one has been asked to go to the school. This is blatantly false. When the school asked the community what they could do to make things easier for the families, one suggestion from a parent was that the school set up public free public WIFI. This was done as an additional service to help folks out. No one is told they must use it.
“Now OF COURSE the high schoolers are going to sneak out of the car and talk with their friends.” ***Substituting drama for actual journalism alert*** Flag on the play. Ten yard penalty.
“And OF COURSE many parents find it difficult to impossible.” Yes, but it is just one of many options. Churches, businesses and individuals have been offering WIFI in an effort to have service within walking distance of every kid. It is not perfect yet, but it is amazing to see what they are doing in such a crazy situation.
“This is a community that saw computers washed away in the January 2019 flooding for crying out loud.”
Why did you leave out the parts about the school getting IPads and Chromebooks to all the kids? Clashed with all the negativity?
“Parents are panicking that their kids are going to get a zero.”
“Not if they are in contact with their teachers. The teachers are doing an amazing job of working with families.”
Yes. She has said this repeatedly on social media…via internet…on an electronic device…from home…
Not sure why she would pack up the suburban and drive to a parking lot to do homework.
“Cars were not built to be used as a classroom,”
Oh look. You made a true statement!!!
“Another family told us its a serious hardship and that the district, “assumes all homes have internet access. That is a luxury we cannot afford in this house.””
If the district assumed every home had internet access, they would not be working through this HUGE undertaking to try to get tech and web access to everyone.
“to be honest I’m not even sure we could get internet service out here even if we had the money.”
The lady who wrote this stays on Facebook and posts about her IPhone. How does she do all this without the internet?
“Its going to require running the engine of the vehicles because conditions are warming. Air conditioning is going to be needed.”
The school has not found a way to make the pandemic 100% effortless or convenient but they sure would if they could.
“Several people wonder if its even ethical and ask how the policy follows the Stay Home Work Safe guidelines of Newton County.”
Either you have not read the guidelines and posted this in ignorance or you have read the guidelines and included it for dramatic effect. Either way, the school is not violating any guidelines.
“To be fair, each of the parents indicate they are very pleased that the district is doing something to keep the education process flowing. But say its just NOT going to work like this.”
Just out of curiosity, have they told you their better plan? The school is constantly seeking feedback and suggestions. Even the free WIFI came from a suggestion on Facebook. Any better ideas should be sent to the school so they can get it done.
“And no one is blaming the TEACHERS, but when it doesn’t work we have to ask ourselves maybe it just doesn’t work.”
“we have to ask ourselves maybe it just doesn’t work”
Huh?
“Parents say its time to consider a NEW plan.”
Please, send the new plan to the school. They appreciate help.
“The superintendents office was not available for comment at the district…”
They are not answering the office phones since the building is shut down for cleaning. Everyone else can reach them. Try email? Facebook? Webpage contact form? Apostrophes?
Aside from the grammar, the content, the lack of effort, the website, the feeling that this is just an attempt at trolling for page clicks, the fact that you only interviewed the angry lady that contacted you and her friend, the incredibly insulting lead in about forgetting the kids, and the above mentioned issues with the story itself, this was quality journalism.
“but we have to get real about some of the victims we’re not thinking about. The kids.”
Teachers have devoted insane hours to completely restructuring education, districts are spending tens of thousands of dollars to get tech to kids. The whole educational system is working doubletime right now to find the best way to serve the kids. Your claim that they are not thinking about the kids is an insult to everyone in education and it is blatantly FALSE.
“In Deweyville the district decided to launch something called Drive-in Wifi learning.”
This is one small part of a huge, multi-faceted undertaking aimed at getting the necessary tech to as many kids as possible as quickly as possible.
“Teachers have told our sources that the kids will get a zero on any assignment not accomplished EVEN if the kids don’t have adequate internet access or a computer for the work.”
No. Teachers are telling kids they must try to do the work they can do. If they have the ability and just refuse, they should not receive credit for doing work they do not do. Aside from blatant refusal, the teachers are being extremely flexible and going to great lengths for the kids.
In Drive-in learning, the students of Deweyville are asked to come to the parking lot of the high school to use the school Wifi.
No one has been asked to go to the school. This is blatantly false. When the school asked the community what they could do to make things easier for the families, one suggestion from a parent was that the school set up public free public WIFI. This was done as an additional service to help folks out. No one is told they must use it.
“Now OF COURSE the high schoolers are going to sneak out of the car and talk with their friends.” ***Substituting drama for actual journalism alert*** Flag on the play. Ten yard penalty.
“And OF COURSE many parents find it difficult to impossible.” Yes, but it is just one of many options. Churches, businesses and individuals have been offering WIFI in an effort to have service within walking distance of every kid. It is not perfect yet, but it is amazing to see what they are doing in such a crazy situation.
“This is a community that saw computers washed away in the January 2019 flooding for crying out loud.”
Why did you leave out the parts about the school getting IPads and Chromebooks to all the kids? Clashed with all the negativity?
“Parents are panicking that their kids are going to get a zero.”
“Not if they are in contact with their teachers. The teachers are doing an amazing job of working with families.”
Yes. She has said this repeatedly on social media…via internet…on an electronic device…from home…
Not sure why she would pack up the suburban and drive to a parking lot to do homework.
“Cars were not built to be used as a classroom,”
Oh look. You made a true statement!!!
“Another family told us its a serious hardship and that the district, “assumes all homes have internet access. That is a luxury we cannot afford in this house.””
If the district assumed every home had internet access, they would not be working through this HUGE undertaking to try to get tech and web access to everyone.
“to be honest I’m not even sure we could get internet service out here even if we had the money.”
The lady who wrote this stays on Facebook and posts about her IPhone. How does she do all this without the internet?
“Its going to require running the engine of the vehicles because conditions are warming. Air conditioning is going to be needed.”
The school has not found a way to make the pandemic 100% effortless or convenient but they sure would if they could.
“Several people wonder if its even ethical and ask how the policy follows the Stay Home Work Safe guidelines of Newton County.”
Either you have not read the guidelines and posted this in ignorance or you have read the guidelines and included it for dramatic effect. Either way, the school is not violating any guidelines.
“To be fair, each of the parents indicate they are very pleased that the district is doing something to keep the education process flowing. But say its just NOT going to work like this.”
Just out of curiosity, have they told you their better plan? The school is constantly seeking feedback and suggestions. Even the free WIFI came from a suggestion on Facebook. Any better ideas should be sent to the school so they can get it done.
“And no one is blaming the TEACHERS, but when it doesn’t work we have to ask ourselves maybe it just doesn’t work.”
“we have to ask ourselves maybe it just doesn’t work”
Huh?
“Parents say its time to consider a NEW plan.”
Please, send the new plan to the school. They appreciate help.
“The superintendents office was not available for comment at the district…”
They are not answering the office phones since the building is shut down for cleaning. Everyone else can reach them. Try email? Facebook? Webpage contact form? Apostrophes?
Aside from the grammar, the content, the lack of effort, the website, the feeling that this is just an attempt at trolling for page clicks, the fact that you only interviewed the angry lady that contacted you and her friend, the incredibly insulting lead in about forgetting the kids, and the above mentioned issues with the story itself, this was quality journalism.
Its sad that our small town is being bashed! The few parents that have a problem need to look around our area all the school are throwing stuff together for our children to learn in this hard time. Deweyville ISD is a wonderful school. The teachers and lunch lady’s are wonderful to us and our children. My childs teacher goes above and beyond for her students. She download a app to keep in contact with us and emails. She tells us to give them big hugs and she misses them so much and if we have any questions to please call or email her.
As far as the internet! It’s 2020 people!!!
You obviously have phones especially the ones that called the news. You have internet on them phones and also hotspots.
Some Phone carriers are giving 15 GB hotspot for free to everyone.
I do not have Wi-Fi at my house but I connect my laptop to my hotspot on my phone.
It’s called compromise this isn’t easy for none of us. Instead of making a big deal about it, our community always comes together maybe ask around to family or friends for sources your child might need to do their work.
Mr. Steele, what was REALLY UGLY is the fact you reported this without getting any information from the school district. If you are a journalist worth your salt then you have access to and should be smart enough to find the superintendent on Facebook before you decided to try and trash the reputations of some very good people. I thought that would be considered Journalism 101. I retired from this great district and my husband still teaches there. You can’t make everybody happy no matter what you do, but you messed up here. You need to think twice before you drag these dedicated employees through the mud based on what you hear from a few instead of what is going on behind the scenes to serve as many students as possible. You need to reconsider your title—journalist? Maybe from CNN!
Shout out to the teachers of Deweyville isd for doing all they can to keep us learning and engaged in the class despite being at home. They are doing all they can to help the students without WiFi or internet access get the work they need to pass. After seeing their attitude and dedication to getting my fellow students and I our work and assignments I have no doubt in my mind that our education is their top priority and that they are trying their best. I have gotten the chance to speak with classmates who don’t have internet connection at home, and they too appreciate the teachers of Deweyville for helping them succeed. I respect them for trying new ways and methods to get us our work. I love my teachers and appreciate their concern for my success in my final years of school. Go deweyville! You’re the real MVPs! – A student who thinks this article is wack and was written by someone who is not giving the staff the credit they deserve.
Thank you for your comments. I appreciate your views despite the criticism.