Today is our last day of the first two weeks of distance learning. This coming week is our break. In my mind we’ve finished Phase One and are entering Phase Two. Our district has officially announced that we are returning to distance learning after the break, until May 1st. May 1st is a Friday, so I suppose it’s really May 4th. That will be Phase 3. And they might just extended it again after that. Phase Four?! 🙁
Honestly, I was relieved they didn’t just call it through the end of the school year. At least now we have some hope that we might go back.
At our staff meetings, teachers have made clear that the work load of the last two weeks is not sustainable. We are working together as a staff to create a schedule that is more manageable for everyone – both students and teachers. At this point we think a form of block days makes the most sense, so teachers have days when they are meeting with students via zoom and available to answer emails during specific time periods. Then, on other days, they can focus on creating content and reviewing student work. Doing all of those things simultaneously, every day, is just not possible.
I’m thankful that I work at a school where our staff can come together to solve problems without things getting contentious, or devolving into power plays. I just hope the district listens to our voices, and gives us the authority to implement a schedule that works for us.
At home, things continue to be a mess. I plan to purge a bunch of stuff from the house over the next week, because the clutter is driving me crazy. I also plan to put together some stuff for the next month of teaching remotely. If I learn how to use Explain Everything I will declare the break a success. Mostly, I need to find a better schedule for all of us. I’m hoping, that with the revamp of the school week schedule, the revamp of our home schedule will be easier to determine and implement.
We’re still not sure if the four-week extension of distance learning means a four-week extension of shelter in place. Will my husband be home in April? Will the playgrounds still be closed? I’m assuming so, because this is the “distance learning” I know, but there is still a lot of uncertainty.
SO GLAD to hear school is implementing changes based on experience with reality. Sounds like that will help everyone. Congratulations.
Hope you get done what you plan for next week. After all these years I no longer think your eyes are bigger than your tummy because I repeatedly see you (and many others in your generation) do the impossible.
For now, let’s hope and assume the shutdown goes ALL of April and into May … not because there is anything fun about it …. but because that would mean that the curve flattens and fewer are critically dangerously frightening ill. (I have nightmares when the 2 parents are sent to hospital and my little grand gets lost in social services…. shall we describe panic? AND, I know that is very possibly already happening in parts of this country and definitely the world. Orphaned children. YES!!!! SOCIAL DISTANCE, ISOLATION.) Pause for panic attack.
Breathing again. I am holding hard to idea we can avoid the most terrible. I am also so impressed by your Mayor London Breed who took BIG steps early. I remain in awe of the fact the homeless were off the street in the week before the shutdown. The fact that grocery stores are prioritizing hiring restaurant employees on temporary basis to deliver food. That our medical people keep going. That our mailpeople are delivering mail like the world is normal. And, as I always have done but I gather many have not, I continue to thank every delivery person I encounter …. from a great distance now.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING AND FOR WRITING SO CONSISTENTLY WITH SUCH HONESTY!!!!!!! I am cheering you on and finding inspiration in you.
Might your daughter like to learn to knit Imagiknit (Sanchez at 18th) has a book designed for 7+ age group and will put together a personalized kit for children …. and get it delivered.
Giant thanks for your support.