Two Lansdowne grandparents, Jim and Joan Gardner, are facing tough schooling obstacles as they raise their grandchildren in  uncertain pandemic times, writes Maria Panaritis for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

It’s been a grueling schedule for Jim and wife, Joan, a retired teacher, keeping virtual classes going.

Seven-year-old April joins her second-grade class via computer from the dining room, despite being only a few blocks away from Ardmore Avenue Elementary School.

Kyleigh, 10, attends 5th grade from the kitchen.

Tyler, 13, visits the eighth grade from upstairs.

Jim, a retired union electrician, offers tech support. He also picks up district-made lunches three times a week at a closed elementary school.

William Penn School District offered the cyber-learning option a month ago at the start of the new school year.

“So far, we’ve done a week and one day and it’s a challenge,” Gardner said. “I have to sit here like a hall monitor.

Now the district’s cancelled the all-year virtual schooling option for elementary school due to a teacher shortage.

The alternative, returning to in-person classes, has its own dangers.

“I am worried about my [grand]kids,” he said, “but I’m more worried about what they might bring home.”

Read more about the educational struggles in Lansdowne here.

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