We're learning really fast that we're not above this virus. I believe that there is something to be learned from everything. Wherever there is bad, there's good too. The good might seem untouchable right now. Somewhere, out there it exists. If anything, maybe we'll have a place where more empathy exists, than it did before. Maybe our economy is oh so low now, but will bust at the seems when this is all said and done.
School:
I learned Thursday, towards the end of the day that we (as teachers) were supposed to offer our students online learning as well as keep our doors open for those that wanted to learn in the classroom. We have less than 50 people, so the bossman decided to stay open.
At the end of the day I found out the students wouldn't be back. The school's decision is purely based on how many people the gov. suggests we can be around. At first it was said 250 people, then it went to 50 people, and now it's 10 people.
If it were my decision, I would have closed the doors right after spring break. Offer classes in an online fashion only. I'd give teachers the training to do so.
I had class, for the first time after spring break was a thing. Only two kids didn't show up. Those two I communicated with via email. I set up three blogs, so I can add text, videos, PDFs and so on, for my students. It's not easy with the instructional videos. I show examples. YouTube would take them down in a heartbeat because of copyright laws. They are too big to keep adding, and sharing with Google Drives. I'm still trying to figure out the kinks in my system. I'd love if my work would go with Google Classroom. As is I don't have the space to upload everything on Google Drive, and keep getting emails from students, with their files.
The boy's school is off "indefinitely". They will reevaluate every two weeks. They get 10 min of homework every day, but it's not graded. Mica's school - they can call to meet up with the principal to check out a laptop if needed. There's no word of that with Isaak's school. Same district, different schools. I think they don't grade the work because there's no guarantee that kids have a laptop, or internet.
Mica's Reaction:
"I'll check my email, to see if any teachers gave me anything to do. This is serious stuff. I can't believe it's happening. It seems like pandemics happen in the 20's." He rattled off a bunch of things that have happened through time.
Isaak's Reaction:
"This is so odd. I just don't even know that much about the Corona Virus. I guess I'll get to stay in my robe for another week." He was upset when he learned that school would be closed possibly for the rest of the year. He's like, "I'll never get to see my friends, or talk to them." We reminded him that he's lucky he has parents that can provide for him.
Are you worried about the lack of numbers, for hospital beds and medical staff?
5 comments:
It all seems so surreal that it's even happening. I'm still in shock over how quickly it escalated.
I am praying very hard that this nightmare will be behind us soon. Our lives are really thrown out of whack.
Stay safe, my friend.
Mariah was in a panic sending us texts back at the beginning of January telling us to buy masks and take precautions while we were on vacation in California. She was getting first hand news from her Chinese friends on how bad it was there early this year, so we've been on edge since then, when nobody here was even really thinking or talking about it. It's crazy how quickly it has escalated these past few weeks now.
Normally, I think we wouldn't be so on edge, but I'm on immunosuppressing drugs, so it could get really ugly for me if I get infected with the virus. Jason has banned me from leaving the house and from anyone coming in. When either him or Allison leave, they sanitize frequently while out, then do a full sanitation on their body and belongings before coming in the house. Jason actually took sanitizing wipes to every grocery item he bought last night before bringing them in the house. I feel he's being a bit extreme, but I suppose I'd probably be the same if I were trying to protect one of my immunocompromised loved ones from contracting a potentially deadly virus.
It's all so crazy that it seems hard to process. Our state, Illinois, is pretty much on lockdown. I still have to go to work though, to answer 911 calls and dispatch emergency personnel.
We are using Microsoft Teams for files and things. It's a free app. It works great. There are a lot of ways to use it. Video chats, file sharing, screen sharing, phoning students without using your cell (through calendar, not phone). I love it. It takes big files too, like slide shows. Our principal uses it for our online check-in every morning and our department head runs her meetings through it too.
My son picks up his laptop Wednesday. Teachers are doing online training this week and kids start back up (online) next week...so their Spring Break went from one week to two. They have work to do though, on Iready and Khan Academy. Our district has been very organized and already had a plan in place for emergency times. I'm impressed! I kind of hope kids don't come back though (in person). The state declared there will be no state tests or school grades this year, and kids know it, so it would just be like babysitting if we were face-to-face. I wonder if we'll go back though. It's super hard for parents who have to work, to have a kid who has to go to school online at home, especially if the kids are little and no day cares are open. They can't leave them alone.
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