Gloucester Twp. Parents Positive About Back To School Experience

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Gloucester Township K-8 Public School District returned to school on Tuesday with a mix of in-person and remote learning.

While there are bound to be problems with remote learning, there was also plenty of positive feedback from parents on social media. One parent told Patch things were confusing, but commended staff for the way they are handling the situation.

Her son is a student at Glen Landing Middle School, but is engaging in 100 percent remote learning with teachers who are all from the Charles W. Lewis Middle School. She said half the teachers didn’t have him on their rosters, but she said the staffs are doing a great job handling all the issues.

“It hasn't been easy for anyone,” she said. “I am sure they have been called all morning and yelled at and whatnot, but when I called regarding the issues with my son, they were gracious, kind, reassuring, and extremely helpful. Please try to give the teachers/administrators a little grace this week. Remember, your kids are watching you and they will react the way you do.”

Another parent whose child is enrolled at Glen Landing said her child’s teacher has been “phenomenal with communication, asking parent opinions and overall just trying to make things run smoothly.

“The secretary there, Mrs. Benckert, goes unnoticed but handles all the emails, questions and concerns and genuinely loves her students and cares about their well-being. Glendora School is under a new principal, and he came in with a friendly smile and ready to let parents know he is responsive and ready to be prepared.”

Information on how to sign-in is available on each school’s parent portal page, she said. Other parents told stories of how their children are doing much better now that they have returned to in-person learning, and how children who were nervous and didn’t know what to expect came home excited about the new school year.

There will be problems, and the district wants parents to know help is available if they have trouble with their equipment as they engage in remote learning.

Technology isn’t perfect, and the district has tech support available. After trying some troubleshooting measures, if a computer still isn’t working, parents can email techhelp@gloucestertownshipschools.org. When sending an email, parents should include their child’s full name, grade, school and a brief description of the issue.

Email is the quickest way to resolve the issue, but if that is not possible, parents can call 856-232-3040 to leave a message with their issue and contact information. The district said it will return the call.

Initial suggestions for troubleshooting can be found on the district’s website, and the district has posted a video tutorial to help guide anyone who is having issues.

Do you have a student in the district? What did you think of their remote learning or in-person session? Let us know by email at anthony.bellano@patch.com or by posting your responses here.