So the school year got off to a crazy start, just like everything else this year! The night before school started, we had our annual fight and a fun dinner. We had a pajama party and had breakfast for dinner, then had a big pillow fight. We felt that was appropriate because we would be spending lots of time home and could even do school in our jammies and sleep in a bit. We had a blast, even though stuck at home! We were planning on going in person but we got put on quarantine right before school started, we started things off with distance learning. That means we had to communicate with the offices, administration and 18 teachers (Cal and Em both have 8 and the youngers have theirs). It was a little, okay a lot chaotic trying to get things set up in less than 24 hours. And with the construction going on at all three schools, some of the internet there has been down. Some had work to do and others didn't. Getting everything rearranged and figured out was not fun. And 'll have to admit, things weren't that great. I was super on edge about a bunch of things and not very patent by Friday. But we got better and our kids are troopers and they were back to in person learning a week later. They were so glad to be back! And I was too. It was pretty hard to keep track of it all. And nothing beats face to face, human interaction. But we made it through.
Emma is in 9th grade, high school!!! this year. Crazy how fast time flies. Callahan is starting middle school as a 6th grader. Lucy is a mighty 4th grader and Coverton is a 2nd grader at the elementary. Dave even couldn't believe Cov was already in 2nd grade. He said "are you sure? Isn't he in 1st?" Haaa! And Sydnie is starting 3 year-old preschool at Kid's Club. It's crazy we have them in all the schools this year. Growing up in a blink! The kids had a pretty good first day and all of the school teachers and administration were amazing to help them figure all this out. They had a pretty first good day, though it might be weird wearing masks or having plexiglass between the desks, they are resilient and rocking it! I started going to the schools to work on a kindness campaign in the middle and high school. Another lady started it but this year, another gal and I are on it. We did a bulletin board and pass out candy on Friday. That's been fun to mingle with the students.
I started my second year of teaching preschool at Kid's Club. It is fun to be back! We will miss Gloria, who can't work due to Covid, as she is in that vulnerable category. But I love Carol and Shannon and the other ladies I work with. We went for a Pete the Cat theme. The classroom turned out pretty darn cute. Emma even helped paint a Pete the Cat. We have 11 in our class, which is plenty for just two of us to handle. These kiddos are a handful this year, but so great! Even better that most of my lesson planning is done from last year, just tweaking things here and there. Sydnie is enjoying preschool with Miss Jasmine and her friends. It's been fun seeing her our in the play yard when we take our kids out there at the same time. She kind of plays with the older kids lots and assumes the leader role it seems and guides the play a lot (hopefully doesn't get too bossy!) and sometimes still gives others the stink eye. Apparently, she has even been helping with some of the younger kids and the teachers call her the miracle worker because she gets littler kids to eat, nap, and listen to the teacher. Funny!
I also got put in charge of the kindness campaign at the middle and high schools. We have inspirational bulletin boards we put up (have two lades that help me) and pass out candy and trinkets to the kids on Fridays to encourage them to do random acts of kindness, get to know them, encourage them, etc. And I publish and moderate the Columbus Parents for Education page. So far, it's been great! Don't we all need a little more kindness!?
Here's to an unconventional but great school year! Whatever the year brings, we'll take it. Might shut things down again, we may have to be quarantined again, might be able to make it through the year. We will take it one day (of school) at a time.
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