Colorado Springs parents share perspectives on in-person vs e-learning

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Some students have now been in school, whether online or in-person, for a week, while others are still easing into it.

Heather Hargrove's kids went back to in-person learning last week. Although their charter school offered an online option, she says it's not something her family wanted to do.

"They've been looking forward to going back, five months at home with me trying to teach them wasn't fun," she said.

Balancing being a business owner, working at a hospital and being a mom hasn't been easy, Hargrove said adding teacher to her list didn't cut it for her 16-year-old.

"It's kind of all re-learning for me as well and my daughter is in all advanced classes so I couldn't help her at all," she said.

For Shar'ron Sierer's family, going fully online is a better option.

"My child already has compromised immune system. We almost lost Christian to RSV when she was younger, which scarred her lungs already," she said.

Her daughter, Christian, attends second grade in District 2 and Sierer says she isn't having the smoothest transition.

"Sitting behind a computer for two hours, and that's hard for a child that's 7-years-old," she said.

The biggest problem she's faced is a stable internet connection.

"It's very hard to teach your child when there are technical difficulties. You don't know what to do."

While Sierer said this time is serving as a bonding experience for her and her daughter, Hargrove said her kids are better off with in-person classes.

"Kids need to be in school, like they have to be in school. They need the teachers, they need their friends and it helps them cope," Hargrove said.