All of you have lived through the evolving schedule that the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated. However, for the purposes of our remembering later, hopefully when this situation has long past, bare with me on restating the way this has unfolded.
School began looking questionable back on 03-09-20. We were busy making plans for upcoming events, e.g., a 5K run and book fair at George's school; a spirit night at Urban Air and service day at the girls' school. We were paying for a field trip to Chattanooga and a ceremony for the girls that seemed unlikely to happen. Beginning on the 9th, all of these activities started looking like they were very much up in the air. By the 12th, the 5K had canceled. Although the book fair had been delivered as planned on the 13th, it was looking increasingly doubtful. The girls had a band field trip on the 12th that happened as planned, which was ludicrous, but since they were still going to school at that time, it seemed pointless to question the field trip. It was a weird time of proceeding with plans, even though it was beginning to feel like maybe we shouldn't.
The first school cancelation announced on the 13th called for school to be canceled on 03-19-20 and 03-20-20, ahead of spring break. Basically, students would attend Mon-Wed and then be out through spring break. This policy was quickly amended on 03-14-20 to state that school would be out 03-16-20 through 04-06-20. Later, of course, on 03-26-20, onsite schooling was canceled through the end of the year. Remote learning would begin on 04-06-20. In the interim, work was assigned - thankfully - to keep students engaged.
I would be remiss if I did not commend the teacher and administration for their quick scrambling to get work to students and also work to get everything in place to begin working remotely. There are so many students and just as many unique situations to accommodate. They did a fantastic job on short notice.
Yesterday was the big day... the start of remote learning, and by now, everyone was excited to log on, connect and get back to work. Now, it would be disingenuous for us to say that we miss our 5:30am wake up call. We don't.. AT ALL. They love getting up at 7:30am, doing a little work and being ready to start class via WebEx at 10am. The girls have a full schedule, and they love working from the comfort of their own desks (so much space!) and not having to schlep all around the whole school with their possessions. Of course, they miss their friends (they would much rather be there in person to see everyone), but they kind of like the new level of comfort.
Logistically, the girls have 1-2 daily WebEx calls, and they have assignments posted daily via Google classroom. So much of their work was already completed online that this isn't a big adjustment.
George's teacher uses the Class Dojo platform and has posted numerous references and assignments there. All of her assignments are posted with a daily schedule, and his class regroups on Fridays for a class-wide WebEx. Obviously, George misses his friends terribly, but he has connected via Facebook and phone to keep in touch.
I'm sure all three would prefer to resume their normal schedules tomorrow. However, we are choosing to focus on the upside of the new normal (snacks while you work! sleeping in!) instead of focusing on what has been lost. That being said, you better believe they are ready to reconnect with their friends.
What does your new normal like look?
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