In order to help the community cope with the coronavirus pandemic, the Socorro Independent School District has incorporated ‘Family Fridays’ into the Remote Learning Academy to promote the emotional well-being of all SISD families.
While SISD teachers are collecting concrete evidence to monitor student progress as per Texas Education Agency guidelines during the week, the only documentation for Family Fridays is the happy faces of students, teachers, and parents.
“As we continue to serve tirelessly as a lifeline for our students, who we love and educate as our own, I want to do everything possible to ensure the emotional and physical well-being of our teachers, support staff, and employees,” said SISD Superintendent Jose Espinoza, Ed.D. “I look forward to this adjustment to our Remote Learning Academy, which will help our teachers and parents make learning connections with their own children and grow stronger together as a family.”
Family Fridays started with a soft launch on April 10, which was a district holiday and a scheduled day off for everyone in the district. Numerous Team SISD families shared the activities they did for the first Family Friday on social media.
“Family fun Friday! Movie and dancing time for these #PDN_Jaguars! #TeamSISD #TrollsWorldTour,” said Perla Vaquera in a post on Twitter, along with pictures and a video of her children dancing.
Maria Natera, a third-grade teacher from Myrtle Cooper Elementary School, posted a picture of her family playing ping pong in their backyard. “SISD Family Friday Fun! #TeamSISD,” Natera said in her post on Twitter.
Many SISD employees expressed thanks for the Family Friday addition to the Remote Learning Academy.
“The Spartan LOTE department fully enjoying our first Family Fun Friday with our own families,” said Pebble Hills High School French teacher Amanda Garay via Twitter. “Thank you, Dr. Espinoza, for your support and leadership!”
Some recommended learning activities for Family Fridays include playing board/card games, reading/discussing books, doing arts and crafts, making a family music video, planting a garden and cooking a meal together.
Team SISD families are encouraged to share their Family Friday pictures. Share them on Twitter with the hashtags #FamilyFridays and #TeamSISD.
List of suggested activities for Family Fridays
