BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – As parents weighed their choices for students’ return to school, some in Brevard County are choosing a new option: It's called eLearning.

“In our secondary schools, our middle schools and high schools, in those classes we’ll have some students participating in eLearning and some participating in class with the teacher, so it’ll be a blended classroom," explained Misty Belford, Brevard Public Schools Board Chair, continuing, "In our elementary schools … it’ll be a teacher in an empty classroom with a group of students online.”

Belford said that eLearning suits families not yet ready for face-to-face instruction.

Christina Harvey said that describes her family's stance on the new school year perfectly.

“We weren’t really feeling brick-and-mortar and knew we were in a position where we didn't have to do that," she said.

Trips to California and Hawaii were scrapped and camps were not an option with the pandemic, so over the summer, the family made the most of their extended time together.

In between hiking trips to North Carolina and stays at grandma's house in north Florida, Harvey busted out workbooks for her kids, Lucian and Naelle, keeping them on a "bell schedule" aided by virtual personal assistant, Alexa. 

And when it came time to think about the school year ahead, Harvey, and her husband, David Hercules, sat their seven and ten-year-old children down.

“We asked them questions, [like] how they felt about it, what were their fears, and tried to reassure them [that] we’re their parents. We’ll make it safe for them," she explained. “It’s a hard choice and I think at the end of the day, you have to make your choice based on facts. Make your decision based on your family and children's safety."

Though it was a difficult choice, Harvey said that choosing eLearning was the right one for her family.

“I feel like all of us are trying to survive this…there’s no right or wrong. Any path you choose, no one is going to be unaffected by this pandemic," she said. “We’re building them desks, making them a dedicated space. I hope they’re able to learn and have fun. And feel safe, that’s really what I hope for.”

Brevard Schools said that it’s working with families who need devices or hot spots to participate in eLearning. Parents should reach out to their respective school’s principal to coordinate pickup.