Parents relieved but still concerned going into week of school closures

The governor announced the decision to close schools and move up April break to next week at a press conference Friday afternoon, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – As the final bell rang at schools across Rhode Island Friday, parents picking up their kids in Providence say they’re glad they’ll get to keep them at home.

“I think it’s better that the kids will stay home – all the children,” said parent Napoleon Salvador outside Hope High School.

The governor announced the decision to close schools and move up April break to next week at a press conference Friday afternoon, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Once the announcement was made, then panic starts to set in with people,” said Providence Teachers Union President Maribeth Calabro.

Parents tell ABC 6 they’re already assuming their kids will be out of school for longer than a week and switching to distance learning. Grades 3-12 in providence took home their Chromebooks.

“It’s happening too fast so it’s scary,” said parent Andrea Godfrey. “It’s going to be harder without teachers to help them.”

Calabro says the district has been preparing for this scenario.

“A lot of teachers have been calling for this, a lot of people have been calling for this based on the sheer number of kids and folks that are in schools,” she said.

The concerns are now turning to where parents will get childcare.

“All the parents are reaching out to each other, like how do we within our neighborhoods help each other out and take shifts?” said parent Holly Wach.

“A lot of us are single parents and just working parents that now have to look for daycare providers, stay home, and it’s really troubling,” said parent Giovanna Rodriguez.

Another issue is how to help low-income students who rely on getting their meals at school.

“Kids rely on breakfast and lunch at school and I just fear and I feel for those kids and parents as well that have to make these sacrifices,” said Rodriguez.

According to the governor, districts are formulating plans to feed students that need it.

Here is where the Providence School District will be offering lunch every day from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. starting Tuesday. No one will be allowed inside the schools:

·         Asa Messer Elementary School, 1655 Westminster St.

·         Gilbert Stuart Middle School, 188 Princeton St.

·         Providence Career and Technical Academy, 41 Fricker St.

·         Mt. Pleasant High School, 434 Mt. Pleasant Ave.

·         Alvarez High School, 375 Adelaide Ave.

·         E-Cubed Academy, 812 Branch Ave.

·         Juanita Sanchez High School, 182 Thurbers Ave.

·         Hope High School, 324 Hope St.

The Cumberland school district will be doing the same and offering breakfast and lunch at BF Norton Elementary School and McCourt Middle School. Breakfast will be served at 8 A.M. Time are still being worked out for lunch.

©WLNE-TV/ABC 6 2020