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When people can’t come together face-to-face, social media can serve as the next-best thing. For the students and staff of Beaufort County Schools, Facebook has offered a way to connect and share with the broader community what’s happening as kids continue to learn from afar.

“Routine can be very reassuring and very safe,” said BCS Assistant Superintendent Mark Doane. “It can be the one thing that some of our students can count on. I’m sure (being out of school) has thrown a lot of our kids and families for a loop.”

Doane said even before schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BCS was stepping up its efforts to improve communication and engagement with families. Now, with students not returning to school for the rest of the semester, Doane says social media offers a tool to help foster that engagement.

“We talk about inviting people in, but a lot of time, if people work one or two jobs, they can’t come in,” Doane said. “Social media gives them an opportunity to see what’s going on when they’re not able to come in and see it live. It makes a real connection. We continue to do that to keep up some of the routine and to let kids know that we’re still here, still supporting them and still part of their lives.”