WEA members and guests met virtually with the superintendents from the Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Tigard-Tualatin school districts to talk about the challenges they are facing going into a new school year - a year unlike any other.
Hillsboro Superintendent Mike Scott stressed to the audience that he and the other educators want to get back to a traditional setting for learning.
He said right now it's not possible to provide in-person instruction given the metrics that need to be met in order to keep students and staff safe.
Beaverton Superintendent Don Grotting said his school district does have case managers, who are trying to reach out to families to find out their needs.
He also said childcare is a problem, as some parents have to choose between working or taking care of their young children.
The school districts also have staff who are challenged with not only teaching through distance learning, but having their children at home too.
Tigard-Tualatin's Superintendent Dr. Sue Rieke-Smith talked about the need for reliable internet access.
She said all students in a household and their parents should be able to access the internet at the same time.
Smith asked for grace and was candid about how educators tend to be planners, but right now decisions are being made within 24 hours.
The superintendents also talked about bringing their communities together to talk about the role of school resource officers from the local police departments.
They said the pandemic has exposed differences in economics and social justice, but it has brought forth some community partnerships to fill the gaps too.