Deer Lakes asks students, teachers to share photos of their home classrooms

The Deer Lakes School District wants its students and staff to feel like they’re together even though they’re apart.

On the district’s first day of remote learning due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials asked students, staff and teachers to share pictures of themselves and their temporary classrooms.

“While we’re working from home and we can’t be together physically, we wanted to make sure that we stayed connected emotionally,” said district spokesman Jim Cromie. “It kind of humanizes the teachers for the students and it also allows the students to see their classmates kind of in a setting that’s similar to theirs.

“I imagine that our students aren’t really seeing each other socially as much as they often do,” Cromie added. “This gives (them) an opportunity to kind of see, ‘Oh, that’s what so-and-so is doing right now.’ ”

Photos shared on the district’s Twitter account Wednesday show makeshift classrooms ranging from desks to beds.

Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden posed with her dog, Gizmo. One boy had his pet bird perched on his shoulder.

#DLRemoteLearning Learning is really “taking flight” at the Gutowski house!! @deerlakessd pic.twitter.com/oAUlUq0dML

— Jackie Gutowski (@jackiegutowski1) March 25, 2020

First Day with a little help from Gizmo! ⁦@deerlakessd⁩ #DLRemoteLearning #DLProud pic.twitter.com/y8a7Sad3A8

— Dr. J. Logue-Belden (@DLSDSuper) March 25, 2020

Coming to you from the home office - good morning, @deerlakessd! Happy first day of #DLRemoteLearning! #DLProud #DLStrong pic.twitter.com/P6rPgbJrPB

— Jackie Jaros (@jbubbles18) March 25, 2020

The district last week announced that it would implement remote instruction for all grades starting Wednesday.

Logue-Belden said the school days are mandatory and teachers will assess the students’ work based on the curriculum.

“These days are intended to continue to afford students meaningful learning experiences while remaining connected with their teachers as we all do our best to navigate our way through this unprecedented situation,” Logue-Belden said in a statement.

First day of school, take 2! A little different this time around! #DLRemoteLearning #DLProud ?? pic.twitter.com/jz5g0YSKsZ

— Cristy McCloskey (@CristyMcCloskey) March 25, 2020

@deerlakessd! Happy first day of #DLRemoteLearning! #DLProud #DLStrong @JenCavalancia pic.twitter.com/cc0KEbIiJs

— Joy Strang (@joy_strang) March 25, 2020

Today, I begin my second student teaching placement at @deerlakessd! I will be with Chris Snyder to help teach 6-12 Band, Music Theory, and the History of Rock and Roll. This will certainly be different from my first placement, but online learning, here I come! #DLRemoteLearning pic.twitter.com/yFcqa8EKqN

— Michael Buckstein (@MBuckstein2332) March 25, 2020

Officials earlier this week announced that public schools will be closed for at least two more weeks in an attempt to slow the spread of covid-19.

In response to the extension, Cromie said the district is “just following the experts’ lead on this matter and trying to do whatever we can to educate our students while also helping to keep them and their loved ones healthy and safe.”