Back to School

I've always loved back-to-school time. As a teacher and a mother, it's one of the most wonderful times of the year! This year, knowing we'd be going back virtually until it's "safe" to go in person again, put a slight damper to it, but I still felt more excited for something than I have for a while. A lot of nervousness too. I did not want it to be like it was in the spring. That was just survival mode and we couldn't hang on much longer. My kids thrive on being with people, and I thrive on having a schedule, and my people happily engaged, so we needed something different.

While we are not going to school with friends yet, I have been very impressed, and relieved, to see what is taking place. 

Austin, Karissa, and Victoria start school at 8am. Normally it doesn't happen that way with the bus system and Karissa and Austin go to different middle schools anyhow, but this is nice and uniform. Their teachers take attendance. They see them on Zoom. They have rules about not eating on the screen and being prepared. They break out into groups to work with classmates. They have seen friends in certain classes. It's as good as it can be, for now. 

Victoria has seminary on Zoom T-TH at 7am and does a M and F independent study, like she did last year. She still gets up early (6) in order to get ready, but at least it's not 5! She's been on task and happy to talk to her friends through various means after school. She's even led some of them in a work out routine a few times, since dance hasn't started yet. 

Karissa and Austin, who normally would have gone to the high school for orchestra before school at 7am, now have orchestra M, W, F after school, virtually, from 2:15-3:15. Middle school and high school finish around 2, so they have a quick break before orchestra. That started just this week and they don't need instruments yet for the 6th graders, but I'm not quite sure how the music part is going to work out. For choir either, but I know something is planned with breakout sessions, so maybe they'll be playing/singing in small groups for now. 

My 3 older kids have lunch together from 11:15-11:50. They have Periods 1-3 on M and Th for 60 minutes each in the morning, then lunch, then 40 minutes each in the afternoon. The afternoon times are for support and if the teacher specifically asks certain students to get on, otherwise they can work on assignments from those classes. The same thing for Periods 4-6 on T and F. W is all classes for 45 minutes each, for teacher-led and small group activities. There are 5-minute breaks between each class.

Though Austin is adjusting to middle school and having 6 different teachers, he does like working from his Chromebook all the time for his assignments. He's not a paper and pencil kind of guy! He had a couple problems getting onto his choir and LME classes, which was weird because he's so techy, but it's all good. Everyone is being very patient!

Karissa has been able to hang out with a friend a couple of times in the evening since school started. She needs that in-person connection and I'm glad it's working out for her. Her cheer season was cancelled, but she's been doing a lot of bike rides and some stretches/indoor exercises to stay active.

Erik and Austin get to play soccer, so they get some socialisation and exercise rolled into one! I'm sure the masks they have to wear are annoying, but they're happy to be out. I make sure we ride bikes or do something else active outside in the evenings, even still.

Erik's school day starts at 8:50 and ends around 3:50. The class meets together on Zoom for checking in and morning routines for 30 minutes, then they get a 5-minute break. They do a reading lesson till 10, then have a 20-minute snack and movement break. They get instructions from the teacher about their independent reading, before doing that for 45 minutes on various platforms through Canvas. I'm sure the kids who need to work more with the teacher do so, but so far Erik hasn't needed to yet. They have a read-aloud before lunch, which is 11:40-12:30, just after his siblings do lunch. They have to log back in at 12:35 for attendance and then have a math lesson for 30 minutes. Independent math work follows until 1:45. They have links for their daily specials (art, P.E., music, language, media aka. library). Then they do independent science and social studies from 2:35-3:40 (usually a video or game/activity through a learning platform). At 3:40, Erik always makes sure to log back into Zoom for the 15-minute closing discussion of the day. 

I started teaching the 3rd day back so I could make sure things were running somewhat smoothly at home. Jason is at home, but working from the basement. He's available to help the kids if they have a problem getting on, for some reason, but it was good for me to be home to help them learn their routines. I'm not very helpful with technical stuff anyhow, so it's better I'm teaching preschool and doing something to stay out of the way so I don't go crazy with boredom or frustration at my kids being home for school. It's going really well, but it's just not ideal and that's hard for me swallow. I can't stand around watching them. When I come home from work, they are really on task, but are somewhat like zombies, even though they have breaks. It's different than getting outside with friends at recess or walking to another class. 

I only have 10 students. 5 are pre K and 5 are in the Young 5's program, which is basically slightly older kids who need another year before Kindergarten. They're great kids and well-behaved. I have a new assistant, who is great, so my job is very easy, and FUN, as always! I have to wear a mask inside, but I'm used to that now. I got scrubs to wear so I can just change right when I get home so I don't have to worry about my little friends' germs on my clothes in my house. 

Me being gone at work means my own children have to get their lunches together. We try to make a plan beforehand, but they pretty much do it and clean up after themselves, which is so good for them! Victoria made everyone chicken nuggets last week and even wrote a little note for Erik for when he came down later. Erik is just surprising me with his motivation to stay on task. He kicked me off the computer a bit ago so he could do his special for the day (he likes to do the specials on the kitchen computer to change up the scenery and because he doesn't have to use his Chromebook for that.) I leave for work before he gets on his class, but he's always excited to get on right when he's supposed to.

Note for Erik from Victoria.

I'm so proud of all my kids for doing so well for a whole week!! I hope I'm still singing the same tune next month! This is a school year to remember for sure.

Playing a game after their first day of school, which was a half-day!

Wearing spirit wear from each of the 4 schools we go to!

Ready!

Victoria and Bethany on Bethany's 16th birthday!

Erik actually drew a picture for art class willingly, which he never did in the spring. Art is probably his least favorite.

He likes having his cars nearby for break time!