Remote learning powers up during pandemic
CRANBERRY TWP — Jennifer Bunofsky and her husband, Brian, have three academic generations studying under their roof.
Jake is a sophomore at John Carroll University in Cleveland. Maddie is a senior at Seneca Valley High School. Abby is a fifth-grader at Evans City Middle School.
The three of them are attending classes virtually during the pandemic.
“The biggest struggle is the internet connection,” Jennifer said. “It's certainly not an ideal or perfect situation. But you know, we're making it work.”
Brian, who works for MSA, was the first Bunofsky to work from home. Jake came home from school March 13 and was joined by his sisters March 16.“It all kind of happened within days of each other,” Jennifer said.As a substitute teacher in the Seneca Valley School District, Jennifer said she has some useful teaching tools at home.But for the most part, her kids are using their own technology. Jake brought his computer home from college. Maddie and Abby are using equipment issued through Seneca Valley.
There is one learning tool considered a hot commodity in the Bunofsky household.“The earbuds,” Jennifer said. “They're all wearing them.”In terms of space, everyone has carved out a “makeshift” office.Brian works in the basement. Jake works in his bedroom. Maddie works in the dining room. Abby works at the kitchen island.“It's been a pretty smooth transition, honestly,” Jake said. “It's just getting used to being online.”
“I'm learning a lot, myself,” Jennifer said. “I really, truly have three kids who have different personalities.”Jennifer said Jake's school schedule remains the same: His virtual classes are held the same times and days they were in person.“I think it's good to keep that same structure,” Jake said.Maddie does her work as soon as she gets up, according to Jennifer, whenever that may be.“I don't force myself to get up at an early time,” Maddie said.
Abby is able to complete her assignments at leisure.“It's worked for me,” Abby said. “Every now and then, there's some things that are kind of hard.”The siblings recognize they learn differently. Jake, who is studying finance, has experience using virtual platforms like Zoom. At home, he's able to log in to his lectures and see all his classmates. He doesn't mind remote learning.Maddie plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania for nursing. She's used to labs and working with models.“I'm kind of a hands-on learner,” Maddie said.Jennifer said learning about each other is an important part of getting through the pandemic: Social differences don't matter when people are trying to survive.“There is no room for judging or shaming at this point,” Jennifer said. “No one has any challenge that is greater than the other.”Studying under the same roof has given the Bunofsky siblings a special opportunity to collaborate. Jennifer said this is particularly true when it comes to helping Abby with schoolwork.“I've been able to help Abby a little bit,” Jake said. “Trying to figure computer (work) is a big thing.”“I've been able to help Abby with PowerPoint,” Maddie said.
Jennifer said from a parent's perspective, the school district has done a good job of sharing information and working with students as they learn from home.“They are being very flexible,” Jennifer said. “The patience that's required by all is outstanding.”Maddie and Abby said they were both surprised how quickly their teachers were able to pull virtual lessons together. The sisters also are grateful for how responsive their teachers are to electronic inquiries.“I just appreciate my teachers,” Maddie said.The pandemic is a learning experience, according to Maddie. Abby believes people “just got to get through it.” Jake's perception is a mixture of the two.“It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you can either take advantage of or let it take advantage of you,” Jake said.
The state may have closed districts through the end of the semester, but Jake, Maddie and Abby all want to get back to school. They miss their friends, the structure of class and having teachers close at hand.The one family member content to self-isolate forever is Duke, a 4-year-old Havanese.“He's loving this,” Jennifer said. “He's just so happy to have us home.”The Bunofskys said self-quarantining together is sometimes difficult.But it's also given them a chance to grow as a family. They laugh at old home movies. They make dinner together. They watch Netflix.“We spend a lot of time together now,” Jake said.“We definitely are a lot closer now,” Abby said. “We're always ... communicating.”“It's a good thing,” Maddie said.Jennifer believes her family will come through the pandemic closer than ever before.“We're not perfect. But we're managing,” Jennifer said. “We're all going to come out on top, for sure.”
