A parent's social network: WJCC public school division parents find a community and help online

Oct. 6--WILLIAMSBURG -- With a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old at home, Williamsburg resident Brian Smith has spent much of his time helping his two children adjust and navigate the reality of virtual learning.

Working through the new normal, Smith said he is doing the best he can but every day brings new challenges.

But Smith isn't alone. He has found a community to call his own.

"Sometimes, well a lot of times, I think it's easier to ask other parents," Smith said. "Just having people who are going through the same thing as me has been great."

For Smith and nearly 5,000 other parents, the "WJCC Public Schools Parents and Community" Facebook page has proven to be an unexpected resource.

On any given day, there are numerous posts focused solely on helping one another. Whether it is a homework problem, an internet issue or posing questions regarding virtual learning, parents are working together to make it through this school year.

While the group has created a platform for parents to share concerns and solve problems, it has also become a way to share information from the school division.

As a result, parents learned of where to pick up laptops, find materials and keep up with crucial dates.

Williamsburg resident Pam Neff created the group when her oldest daughter was in elementary school. Now her daughter is a junior in high school.

Throughout the years, the group has taken on several different names. It began as a small group of elementary school parents focused on changing standards of learning testing requirements.

At one point, the group focused on implementing safety protocols within the division and helping to develop a plan in case of a school shooting.

Now, years later, the group has grown into the WJCC Public School Parents and Community page where folks can come together, help one another and discuss how to make the division better, Neff said.

"The goal has always been to help one another," Neff said. "I never imagined this is what it would become but it has been an incredible resource for people."

In March, when Gov. Ralph Northam announced all school divisions would close, Neff said the group grew exponentially.

Williamsburg resident Tricia Clark was among the many who joined the group looking for help. In return, she found a community.

This year has not been an easy one for her and her family, Clark said. Despite homeschooling six children throughout her life, she said virtual learning has proven to more difficult.

Between Zoom meetings, at-home work and limited communication, Clark said it's been hard for her child, in special education, to get the resources she needs. While she misses the structure that in-person learning brings, she said she has found help through the Facebook group.

"It feels like so many parents have something going on and it's easier to ask them instead of waiting on a response from the schools," Clark said. "It helps to just go on the page and read what other parents have said and it helps me knowing I'm not the only one."

On any given day, Clark said she uses the group to connect with other parents. Whether it's asking for help with homework, gathering information or using the platform to bring up issues and concerns, Clark said the group has been helpful for her and her family.

According to Neff, on any given day, she receives anywhere from 10 to 50 posts from members. While it is a lot of work to screen the messages, approve them and monitor comments, she said it is worth it knowing folks are working together.

"There's always someone in the group who has an answer," Neff said.

With a background in education management, Neff said her work in higher education has helped her maintain the group. Receiving information from the school division, Neff said she spends much of her time streamlining it and sending it out to parents.

"I know, sometimes, when divisions send out information it doesn't always translate so I decode messages and make it easier to understand," Neff said.

Since its fruition, Neff said the group has helped implement change in the school division. By posting School Board meeting times, Neff said several parents throughout the years have spoken at meetings, raised concerns and offered a collective voice.

With two younger children in the division, Neff said she plans to maintain the group for years to come.

"I don't know of another community like this one but, it's the only one I use and I wouldn't turn anywhere else," Smith said.

For more information regarding the group, visit bit.ly/33nRHWI.

Emily Holter, emily.holter@virginiamedia.com, 757-256-6657, @EmilyHolterNews

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