Ms. Bess’s Reflection on the Horizons from Home Summer 2020 Experience

I have worked with Horizons at Carolina Day since its inception three years ago. It is without a doubt the happiest, busiest, hardest, most fulfilling six weeks of my year. But six weeks of “virtual” happiness? When it became clear that we needed to be 100% remote for Summer 2020 to keep our community safe, my feelings of anger, sadness, and loss were huge. I kept thinking about how the cornerstone of our community and the program is CONNECTEDNESS. I could not imagine creating that while we were apart. I let my feelings wash through me. I acknowledged my deep disappointment. Then I got busy. I gathered my teaching team and we started to build what truly became six weeks of virtual happiness, AKA #Horizonsathome2020. 

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Bridging the Digital Divide

A study done by the Pew Research Center shows that the digital divide (e.g., a lack of access to reliable internet and essential technology), especially during the COVID-19 crisis, can lead to an astounding increase in the achievement gap, further widening the gap between low-income and high-income students. Just as Asheville City and Buncombe County schools worked hard to provide technology for their students during remote learning, Horizons at CDS has done the same.

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