For immediate release

Oct. 15, 2021

Webinar Series Aims to Help Families Prepare for Learning Anywhere

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction invites parents and guardians to attend a free webinar this month in a series focusing on how to support their child’s learning, no matter the setting and regardless of potential disruptions to learning.

The webinar is part a new initiative, Rethink Education, supported by a $17.6 million federal grant, to help districts across the state prepare for any short- or long-term learning disruptions by developing plans tailored to the specific needs of their school communities. These partnerships are focused on improving blended learning, which combines face-to-face and online instruction, access and content for students in grades K-8. Rethink Education is creating resources for rural and under-resourced communities as well as tools for families to support their children’s learning.

As parents have assumed larger roles in their children’s learning since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work carried out by Rethink Education is all the more important. When parents were asked by an Education Week survey last year to provide their perspectives on their preparation to support their child’s learning, a majority (53%) said they felt at least somewhat prepared to support their own children’s learning, but only one-quarter felt extremely or very prepared. One-third believed they were at least somewhat unprepared.

Launching this month, the webinar series’ first session, “Creating an At-Home Learning Environment,” will provide families with practical advice on how to create spaces at home that are safe and comfortable for student learning. The webinar will be available in both English and Spanish.

Melissa Davis, director of NCDPI’s Rethink Education program, said the webinars are designed to share timely advice with families that are adapting to new ways of learning, starting with creating spaces that support and encourage learning.

“Where students learn can affect how they think, feel, and act,” Davis said, “and that’s why we’re dedicating our first webinar to creating at-home learning environments.”

Join the Rethink Education team to discuss important tips to help North Carolina parents and guardians create the best learning environment at home.

Thursday, Oct. 21, 7 to 7:45 p.m.
Creating an At-Home Learning Environment
Speaker: Amber Garvey
Sign up here

Monday, Oct. 25, 7 to 7:45 p.m.
Crear un Ambiente de Aprendizaje en Casa
Speaker: Rachel Wright Junio
Sign up here

Learn more about Rethink Education at https://www.dpi.nc.gov/Rethink Education.

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